Gramik, a fast-growing agritech startup, has raised Rs 17 crore (approximately $2 million) in a bridge funding round. The company secured this capital through a mix of optionally convertible debentures (OCDs) and compulsorily convertible debentures (CCDs). This round prepares the ground for its much larger Series A round of Rs 56 crore, expected within the next five months.
Strong Backing from Investors Who Believe in Impact
Sammaan Global Ventures and Money Creeper Investment led the interim round. Several influential angel investors joined them, including Dubai-based entrepreneur Gev Aryaton, social entrepreneur Irfan Alam, Bollywood actor-investor Nikhil Bhagat, impact investor Salvia Siddiqui, and Balram Yadav, managing director and CEO of Godrej Agrovet, who returned as a backer.
Their participation highlights growing interest in solving rural India’s challenges with tech-powered, community-led solutions.
A Startup with Roots in the Soil
Raj Yadav, an IIT Kanpur alumnus, founded Gramik in 2021. He saw deep-rooted inefficiencies in how rural farmers accessed agricultural inputs, knowledge, and markets. Instead of complaining, he built a solution.
Gramik focuses on improving rural livelihoods. The company helps farmers access better quality farm inputs, up-to-date agronomic advice, and modern farming methods. But Gramik doesn’t stop there. It empowers local entrepreneurs to deliver these services within their own communities.
Peer Commerce: Powered by Villagers, For Villagers
Gramik’s strength lies in its peer commerce model. The company works with over 1,200 village-level entrepreneurs (VLEs) and more than 250 rural retail partners. These VLEs don’t just distribute products—they educate, advise, and build trust with fellow farmers.
Gramik’s tech platform allows them to aggregate demand, manage logistics, provide embedded credit, and deliver advisory services. These local entrepreneurs act as the face of the company in the villages, creating a distribution network that traditional players often fail to build.
Scaling Smart: From 12 Districts to a Million Farmers
Gramik currently operates across 12 districts. With fresh funding in hand, the startup plans to expand across Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Jammu. The company aims to grow its VLE network to over 3,000 by next year. Its goal? Reach one million farmers.
To support this growth, Gramik will strengthen its supply chain, invest in agronomy infrastructure, and build smarter technology. The startup wants to cut delivery times, reduce costs, and make farming more profitable for every smallholder it serves.
Building Products That Farmers Can Trust
Gramik already sells seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, agri-equipment, and animal feed. These essentials reach farmers faster and more affordably through Gramik’s network. But the company plans to go a step further by expanding its private-label product line.
By offering in-house brands, Gramik ensures better margins, quality control, and pricing stability. This approach will give farmers more value for their money and build long-term trust in Gramik’s offerings.
Agronomy Advisory That Talks in the Language of the Farmer
Beyond physical products, Gramik delivers high-impact agronomy services. It sends personalized crop advice to farmers based on real-time weather data, crop stage, and soil health. Its team also trains VLEs to guide farmers on pest risks, fertilizer use, and climate-smart practices.
To make information more accessible, Gramik will introduce content in regional languages and audio formats. This inclusive approach ensures even less-educated farmers benefit from modern agricultural insights.
Embedded Credit: A Lifeline for Smallholders
Many farmers struggle with seasonal cash shortages. Gramik addresses this issue by offering embedded credit through its tech platform. It partners with NBFCs and impact finance firms to provide small loans that farmers use for agri-inputs.
Gramik doesn’t rely on credit scores. Instead, it uses transaction data and purchase behavior to build trust-based lending models. Farmers benefit from affordable loans, and Gramik earns customer loyalty.
Regional Focus with a Custom-Tailored Approach
Gramik doesn’t treat every district the same. It customizes its strategies based on the region’s crop patterns, infrastructure, and socio-economic factors. For instance, what works in eastern Uttar Pradesh might not work in western Maharashtra.
This flexible approach helps the company serve farmers more effectively. Instead of a one-size-fits-all model, Gramik builds local intelligence, trains VLEs accordingly, and adapts operations to suit the ground reality.
Gramik’s Human-Centered Philosophy
Gramik doesn’t believe in doing business from air-conditioned boardrooms. The team spends time on farms, in villages, and with VLEs. They listen to farmers, learn from them, and co-create solutions.
This hands-on style drives Gramik’s strong community relationships. Farmers view the company not as a seller, but as a partner in their growth journey. VLEs treat their role not just as a job, but as a mission.
Rs 17 Crore Bridge Round: A Strategic Milestone
The bridge round marks a crucial turning point for Gramik. It validates its peer commerce model, tech-first strategy, and community-led operations. Investors clearly see long-term potential in a startup that balances profit with purpose.
Raj Yadav expressed confidence in his team’s ability to scale without losing their human touch. “We don’t just want to grow revenue,” he said. “We want to improve lives.”
Preparing for the Big Leap
As Gramik gears up for its Rs 56 crore Series A round, the team has begun hiring across technology, marketing, operations, and supply chain. The company also seeks new partnerships with agri-universities, co-operatives, and rural banks.
These collaborations will support Gramik’s mission to build a 360-degree rural commerce ecosystem. The startup wants to become a one-stop platform for everything a farmer needs—agri-inputs, advice, credit, and eventually even market access.
Changing the Face of Rural India, One Village at a Time
Gramik doesn’t chase growth for the sake of numbers. It wants to change how rural India does business. By empowering local entrepreneurs and backing them with strong technology and logistics, Gramik brings dignity, trust, and prosperity back to the villages.
The startup transforms farming from a survival activity into a sustainable livelihood. It gives smallholders the tools to thrive, not just survive.
With the recent Rs 17 crore boost, Gramik now stands ready to take rural commerce to the next level. It doesn’t just build a company—it builds a movement rooted in soil, shaped by community, and powered by purpose.
Also Read – Startup Ideas Inspired by Daily Commuting Struggles