Direct-from-origin food brand KisaanSay has successfully raised ₹17.29 crore ($2 million) in a pre-seed funding round led by Jungle Ventures through its First Cheque@Jungle platform. The funding also saw participation from senior leaders in the food industry, marking a significant milestone in the company’s journey to transform the connection between farmers and consumers.
KisaanSay was incubated at Indigram Labs and is supported by the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme, which aims to empower startups across India by providing financial assistance during their early stages. Founded by Nitin Puri, Manoj Karki, and Vaishali Mehta, KisaanSay is building a scalable farm-to-fork model designed to address challenges in India’s food supply chain.
Bridging the Farmer-Consumer Gap
At the core of KisaanSay’s mission is the idea of provenance—ensuring that each product is sourced, minimally processed, and packaged directly at its origin. The company partners with 20 farmer collectives, which together represent more than 50,000 farmers, to achieve this goal. These collectives operate in natural farming clusters located in mountain valleys, forests, tribal areas, and drylands, producing a range of products that emphasize quality and sustainability.
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KisaanSay’s portfolio currently includes over 80 products across 12 categories, offering consumers healthier, fresher options while ensuring fair incomes and sustainable livelihoods for farmers. By collaborating directly with farming communities, the brand addresses long-standing issues such as middlemen exploitation, low farmer incomes, and unsustainable agricultural practices.
Unique Distribution Model of KisaanSay
KisaanSay operates through an omni-channel distribution model that includes leading e-commerce platforms, its direct-to-consumer website, and retail stores in Delhi NCR. This multi-pronged approach allows the company to reach a diverse customer base while staying true to its mission of providing high-quality, traceable food products.
The company’s business model emphasizes co-branding and co-profit partnerships with farmer collectives, ensuring that the benefits of its operations are shared equitably. This approach not only promotes trust and transparency but also incentivizes farmers to adopt sustainable practices, benefiting both the agricultural ecosystem and end consumers.
Funding to Drive Expansion
The ₹17.29 crore raised in this pre-seed round will be directed toward scaling operations, expanding the product portfolio, and strengthening the company’s distribution network. KisaanSay also plans to invest in marketing initiatives to increase brand visibility and build a world-class team to support its growth.
In a statement, the company outlined its vision to create an ecosystem where consumers have access to high-quality food, and farmers are empowered with fair and sustainable markets.
“This funding will enable us to enhance our capabilities and broaden our reach, ensuring that the benefits of our model are felt across the food supply chain,” said Nitin Puri, Co-Founder of KisaanSay.
Industry and Investor Perspectives
The funding round was led by Jungle Ventures, known for its focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and expertise in the tech and consumer sectors. Speaking about the investment, Rishab Malik, Partner, Seed Investments at Jungle Ventures, stated, “KisaanSay is addressing a fundamental gap in India’s food supply chain by creating a direct and equitable link between farmers and consumers. The team’s ability to align purpose with scale was particularly impressive, and their model delivers value to both sides of the ecosystem.”
Malik further highlighted that India currently lacks a strong provenance-based consumer brand that connects consumers with high-quality, region-specific products. KisaanSay’s focus on sourcing from areas best suited for specific crops aligns with this need, positioning the company as a pioneer in the space.
Puri also expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasizing Jungle Ventures’ commitment to ESG and its global expertise as critical factors in the collaboration.
“From the time we signed the term sheet to the completion of this transaction, the team at Jungle has been incredibly supportive. We are confident that their guidance will help steer KisaanSay from idea to IPO,” Puri added.
A Vision for the Future
As KisaanSay looks to the future, the company remains committed to addressing key challenges in India’s food sector, including sustainability, farmer livelihoods, and consumer access to high-quality products. By leveraging its innovative model, KisaanSay aims to set a new standard for provenance-based branding while creating a more equitable food ecosystem.
With this fresh infusion of capital and a strong foundation, KisaanSay is poised to scale its operations and make a lasting impact on India’s agricultural landscape.
Disclaimer: The author coincidentally shares her name with one of the founders of KisaanSay and does not have any relation with the company.
1 comment
Exciting news for KisaanSay! This pre-seed funding is a testament to the potential of their farm-to-fork model. It’s great to see innovation empowering farmers and promoting sustainable food systems. Wishing them continued success!
Diviam aahar