Source: Entrackr
Pehle Jaisa, an Agri-tech startup based in Gurugram, has raised a total of $300k through a pre-Series A round of funding. The round was led by Pantnagar Capital and Climate Angels. The startup plans to use the funding raised to expand its waste-to-fertilizer operations in villages across India.
Previously, the Gurugram-based startup raised $169k in a seed round as well. Following the latest round of funding, Pehle Jaisa will be looking to expand its unique model of converting rural waste into useful organic products for farmers.
Creating Opportunity from Waste
Pehle Jaisa was established in 2022 by Pankaj Pandey and Ehtesham Farooqui. The business converts organic and agricultural waste into natural fertilizer, soil conditioner, and bio-stimulant.
Their business model proposes setting up local waste processing centers in villages. The processing centers create organic fertilizer from waste delivered from locations nearby, achieving a reduction in transportation and allowing the company to deliver affordable, more accessible fertilizer for farmers.
The company’s goal is to establish self-sustained villages capable of producing their own fertilizer, gas, and electricity from waste. This circular rural economy model, they believe, will lead to reduced reliance on outside sources and sources that not only provide these products, but allow for sustainable farming practices.
Exploded With Growth In Sales Within A Short Period
Pehle Jaisa has reported rapid growth in a very short time. For FY24, just eight months after commencing operations, the company sold over 500 metric tonnes (MT) of fertilizer. For FY25, the current financial year, it has already sold over 1500 MT, earning greater than ₹2.5 crore in revenue.
The company is also developing new products that will help growers. It is working on custom fertilizer mixes that are crop specific and based on local soil. This will provide farmers with better returns using environmentally-friendly inputs.
Pehle Jaisa has set an aggressive target of ₹100 crore in revenue over the coming years while expanding into more villages.
Upcoming Plans
The company mentioned that the new funds would be used for:
- Expanding operations to more rural areas
- New fertilizer products tailored for different crops and soils
- Upgrading new technology at local processing units
Building a Greener Future
Given the increasing demand for organic and sustainable farming products, Pehle Jaisa is uniquely positioned to benefit from India’s agricultural sector. The new investment is indicative of the confidence investors have in its vision for a cleaner, greener, and self-sufficient rural India.
