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Government Launches Agri Udaan for Agri Startups
The Government of India has launched a new initiative called AGRI-UDAAN in an attempt to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the agricultural sector. The program will mentor startups and help them connect with potential investors.
This Food and Agribusiness Accelerator 2.0 program was launched by the National Academy of Agricultural Research Management and will be managed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR.) The Deputy Director General of Agricultural Education at ICAR Narendra Singh Rathore, said the idea behind the program was to attract the youth from around India and train them.
The shortlisted agri startups will undergo intensive training for six months following which they will be connected with the investors for funding. The startups will also be able to access incubation space and research laboratories and libraries, under the program. These startups also stand a chance to get up to $ 40,000 in funding. IIM Ahmedabad’s Centre for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship will also be partnering with the program along with the National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB) and Department of Science and Technology (DST.)
The program will reach out to agriculture based startups in several cities like Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Pune, Bangalore, Kolkata and Hyderabad with a series of road shows. The applications, which will be available at www.aidea.naarm.org.in, will be evaluated by a team of mentors from the industry and 40 startups will be selected. The shortlisted startups will get a chance to pitch in front of a panel of evaluators out of which 8-12 startups will be selected for the final cohort for the capacity building workshop.
The pre launch phase of the program was launched in 2015 by the National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NARM) in Hyderabad. Eight startups out of the 200 who applied were selected and a total of Rs. 2.5 crores was invested in three startups. The startups incubated by this program are now able to process exotic grains, manufacture kinetic farm machines and develop smart irrigation systems.
Rozana, India’s leading rural retail platform, has secured ₹290 crore ($35 million) in a Series B funding round led by Bertelsmann India Investments (BII), with participation from Omidyar Network India, Vivid Capital, and Tana Investment Holding. This Rozana funding brings its total capital to over ₹500 crore, fueling hyperlocal expansion in underserved rural markets. Founded in 2021 by brothers Prashant and Prateek Chauhan, the startup’s phygital model blends micro-stores, app-based ordering, and last-mile delivery to connect 5 million+ users in 12 states with brands like ITC and HUL.
The ₹290 crore investment will supercharge Rozana’s rural omnichannel retail strategy, targeting 5x growth in 18 months. Plans include adding 5,000 micro-stores in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan; AI-powered inventory tech; and new categories like groceries and electronics. By empowering 20,000+ rural micro-entrepreneurs, Rozana taps into India’s $700 billion rural retail boom, where smartphone penetration and UPI drive 12% annual growth.
This Rozana Series B milestone positions it as a frontrunner against rivals like Ninjacart, eyeing unicorn status by 2028 amid ONDC tailwinds. CEO Prashant Chauhan emphasized, “We’re building rural prosperity through accessible premium brands.” For more on Rozana funding news and rural retail trends, stay updated on India’s startup ecosystem.
Peak XV Partners has launched three new funds totaling $1.3 billion, targeting India’s booming startup ecosystem. The lineup features the $600M Surge fund (8th edition) for early-stage ventures, a $300M Growth Fund for Series B+ scaling, and a $400M Acceleration Fund for rapid portfolio expansion. This commitment arrives as India’s VC inflows rebound, with AI and fintech leading 2026 trends.
These funds build on Peak XV’s legacy of backing unicorns like Zomato and Pine Labs, offering founders capital plus strategic guidance amid post-winter recovery. Early-stage deals surged 20% last year per Tracxn, positioning Peak XV to fuel the next wave of innovation in SaaS, climate tech, and consumer plays.
For startups eyeing Peak XV new funds or Surge fund 2026 applications, this signals prime opportunities. Investors and marketers should watch for deployment updates India remains a global VC hotspot.
Hyderabad, January 13, 2026 Neeman’s, India’s leading D2C footwear brand famed for sustainable shoes and patented PIXLL® technology, has raised $4 million from existing investors. This funding boosts its cumulative capital past $10 million since 2015, with a post-money valuation nearing $50 million. CEO Vijay Chahoria emphasized offline retail as the “next frontier,” planning 50+ new stores in Tier 2/3 cities like Jaipur and Lucknow to blend eco-friendly innovation with hands-on customer experiences.
In India’s booming D2C ecosystem where footwear sales hit ₹1.2 lakh crore in 2025 Neeman’s targets hybrid retail amid high online CAC and 25-30% returns. Backed by vegan, machine-washable shoes priced ₹2,000-4,000, the brand leverages PIXLL® (5x more breathable than leather) for carbon-neutral comfort. Recent 5x revenue growth to ₹100 crore ARR, 1M+ pairs sold via Myntra and stores, and awards at India D2C Summit 2025 position it ahead of rivals like Paaduks.
Neeman’s offline expansion India eyes the $15B sustainable footwear market by 2028, fueled by PLI schemes, Gen Z’s 70% eco-preference (Nielsen), and Southeast Asia exports. Challenges like real estate costs are offset by data-driven inventory and omnichannel QR tech. Watch for Q1 2026 launches in Hyderabad and Bengaluru redefining D2C success through authentic, “Wear the Change” branding.
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