Anindita Nayak
Bhubaneswar, 25 Sep 2025
India, despite being the world’s second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables, suffers post-harvest losses of 4–15%, costing over $18 billion annually due to weak storage, quality control, and supply chains. With the cold chain logistics market projected to hit $18.19 billion by 2029, agritech startups are stepping up with technology-driven solutions. Here are seven such innovators reducing waste, improving food quality, and boosting farmer incomes.
1.Arya.ag:
Founded in 2013 by Prasanna Rao, Anand Chandra, and Chattanathan Devarajan, Mumbai-based Arya.ag has emerged as a leading grain commerce platform delivering vital post-harvest and storage solutions. With a mission to empower farmers, the company offers ‘storage-as-a-service’ enabling them to safely store produce, avoid distress sales, and sell at the right time for better returns. Its robust network connects nearly 1 million farmers and over 5,000 aggregators on the supply side with more than 2,000 millers and corporates on the demand side. Operating through its three integrated verticals: Arya Collateral, Aryadhan, and Aryatech, the platform provides end-to-end services, including storage, transparent trading, and financing options. Strong investor confidence underscores its growth, with Arya.ag securing a $30 million debt facility from HSBC in January 2025 and a $19.8 million commitment from the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) in October 2024 to expand post-harvest liquidity and strengthen the grain commerce ecosystem.
2.Ergos:
Founded in 2012 by Kishor Kumar Jha and Praveen Kumar, Ergos is transforming post-harvest management in India with its innovative “Grainbank” model. Focused on supporting small and marginal farmers, the company enables secure, on-farm storage while digitizing harvested produce so it can be used as a tradable asset to access credit from partner banks and NBFCs. This not only helps farmers avoid distress sales but also ensures better price realization. Ergos has raised over $32 million in funding and currently serves more than 1.6 lakh farmers through a network of 200+ warehouses across Bihar, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. By offering these integrated solutions, the company has reportedly helped farmers increase their annual income by 30–35%.
3.StarAgri:
Founded in 2006, Mumbai-based StarAgri provides integrated post-harvest solutions, including scientific warehousing, collateral management, and financing, enabling farmers to access credit and avoid distress sales. Backed by nearly ₹500 crore in funding from investors like Temasek, the company operates 1,300+ warehouses across 18 states with a capacity of 4.2 million metric tons, managing assets worth ₹16,900 crore and serving over 4 lakh farmers. Expanding beyond storage, StarAgri has also introduced digital warehousing systems and drone-based crop monitoring, while preparing for a potential stock exchange listing.
4.Farmtheory:
Founded in 2019 by Arpit Agarwal and Sakshi Agarwal, Bengaluru-based Farmtheory is an agritech startup dedicated to reducing food waste while increasing farmer incomes. The company tackles waste at its source by sourcing “ugly” or cosmetically imperfect produce directly from farms and supplying it to commercial kitchens and food businesses. This approach ensures that perfectly edible produce is not discarded and that farmers receive fair value for their entire harvest. It has raised a total of $1.96 million, including a $1.45 million seed round from Merak Ventures in 2024, and has built a network of over 3,000 partner farmers serving more than 1,500 kitchens. By creating a sustainable farm-to-kitchen ecosystem, the startup helps farmers increase income, reduce food loss, and contribute to broader climate action goals.
5. Eeki Foods:
Founded in 2018 by IIT Bombay graduates Abhay Singh and Amit Kumar, Eeki Foods is an agritech startup using hydroponic and aeroponic technology to make farming sustainable and climate-resilient. Its climate-controlled systems grow pesticide-free vegetables year-round while using up to 80% less water than traditional farming. Backed by over $21.9 million from investors like General Catalyst, Avaana Capital, and Sixth Sense Ventures, and valued at ₹310 crore, Eeki Foods operates farms in Rajasthan and Haryana. Recognized as a top innovator by Economic Times and listed among South Asia’s Top 100 Climate-Tech Startups by HolonIQ, the company aims to reach $100 million in revenue within two years.
6 . WayCool:
Founded in 2015 by Karthik Jayaraman and Sanjay Dasari, WayCool Foods is an Indian agritech startup that operates a full-stack, tech-enabled platform managing the agricultural supply chain from ‘soil to sale.’ By connecting farmers directly with retailers, traders, and food businesses, WayCool reduces food waste, ensures fair pricing for farmers, and delivers consistent quality to customers. The company has raised over $366 million and is valued at ₹6,360 crore, with operations across India and the UAE. Its extensive network includes 1,300+ warehouses across 18 states, serving more than 1.6 lakh farmers and 1 lakh clients. Key accolades include the Sustainable Organisation Award 2023 and Best Tech-Enabled Agri Distribution Company at the CII SCALE Awards. In addition to supply chain solutions, WayCool has developed its own consumer brands and offers SaaS products to clients.
