Gardening-focused hyperlocal marketplace Urvann raises funding from Inflection Point Ventures

Urvann, a gardening-focused hyperlocal marketplace, has raised an undisclosed amount in a Pre-Series Round A led by Inflection Point Ventures.

The startup plans to use the raised capital to enhance the technology and facilitate expansion into different regions across the country.

Founded by IIM-Ahmedabad and ISB alums, a husband-wife duo who quit their consulting careers to pursue their passion for plants. Urvann began operations in Delhi-NCR in August 2021 with the goal of revolutionizing the way India purchases plants.

By partnering with local nurseries in a city, Urvann provides the most variety and next-day delivery of fresh plants at the lowest prices, distinguishing itself from traditional players who courier plants from one city to another, resulting in high delivery costs and suboptimal plant quality due to long transit times.

Mitesh Shah, Co-Founder, Inflection Point Ventures, said, “Gardening as a business is an untapped market for the Indian market especially in urban areas. Urvann aims to enhance the gardening experience across cities by providing a wholesome experience with their extensive service and their collaboration with local nurseries. At IPV we look forward to extending strategic support and helping them penetrate new markets and scale their business”.

Urvann has achieved significant milestones since its establishment, including the fulfilment of over 75,000 orders and a current daily delivery volume of over 500 orders.

Moreover, Urvann has successfully distributed an impressive number of 500,000 plants, specifically air purifiers, throughout Delhi NCR and Bangalore. In addition, Urvann has established Indias inaugural active community of plant parents nationwide, providing a platform for regular engagement and discussion regarding plant-related inquiries. 

Notably, Urvann has assisted over 50,000 plant parents in their gardening journeys. Urvann's distinct aggregator model, allows for a remarkable 10X variety of products while maintaining prices at one-fifth of those offered by other online platforms. Furthermore, Urvann's hyperlocal and eco-friendly delivery methods ensure that plants are delivered to customers in a fresh and healthy condition while minimizing harm to the environment through reduced packaging.

The company’s community-oriented approach facilitates connections among plant enthusiasts nationwide. Urvann engages its users through weekly workshops, events, and community groups. Additionally, Urvann Academy initiative caters specifically to millennial plant parents by offering constant guidance and support in their plant care endeavours.

Sambhav Jain, Co-Founder of Urvann says, “IPV has been really supportive throughout our journey. With the help of IPV, we scaled Urvann from X to 10X, and now with this round, we are looking to scale further from 10X to 100X across the country.”

The Indian gardening retail market is a substantial market valued at INR 25,000 crore, experiencing a rapid growth rate of 15% CAGR. The surge in demand for live plants can be attributed to three main factors. Firstly, there is a growing population of millennials who are actively embracing plant parenthood.

Secondly, plants are increasingly being utilized as gifts and decorative items, replacing traditional bouquets and artificial showpieces in homes and offices. Lastly, there is a growing awareness of the positive impact plants have on mental health, with people recognizing the peace and joy they bring, particularly in the post-pandemic era.

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