Agritech startup AgroStar raises $30 million led by climate-focused investment firm Just Climate

Agritech startup AgroStar has raised $30 million in a new funding round led by climate-focused investment firm Just Climate, with participation from existing investors Aavishkaar India, Bertelsmann, Evolvence India, Chiratae Ventures and Hero Enterprises.

The Pune-based firm said the fresh capital will be used to expand its omnichannel operations, strengthen product innovation and accelerate its artificial intelligence roadmap for farm advisory and crop management. AgroStar operates a hybrid model that combines a digital platform with a growing offline network of retail touchpoints.

Founded in 2013 by brothers Sitanshu and Shardul Sheth, the company focuses on improving access to quality agri-inputs and farm advice for smallholders. It uses data, technology and a large distribution network to address gaps in knowledge and trust across the agricultural supply chain.

AgroStar claims to reach more than 10 million farmers through over 10,000 retail stores and its direct-to-farmer digital platform. The company also offers around 200 branded inputs, including biological and climate-aligned products.

“Indian agriculture stands at a critical juncture — climate variability and degraded soils threaten our farmers' livelihoods; the need to address these challenges has never been clearer and more urgent,” said Shardul.

Speaking on the investment, Siddarth Shrikanth, director at Just Climate, said, “While solutions such as higher quality seeds and biological inputs exist, large gaps in trust, knowledge, and distribution have constrained market adoption among the smallholders that make up the vast majority of Indian agriculture.”

AgroStar has raised more than $140 million to date, including a $70 million Series D round led by Schroders in December 2021.