In the dynamic landscape of agrifoodtech investment, the latest figures emerging from India have set the industry abuzz. The AgFunder’s 2024 India AgriFoodTech Investment report, released in partnership with Indian agrifoodtech investor Omnivore, paints a picture of resilience amidst a global downturn. While Indian agrifoodtech startups experienced a 60% drop in investment in 2023, falling just shy of the $1 billion mark, the sector’s deal activity has shown remarkable stability. With 129 deals recorded last year, the drop from 2022’s 133 deals is minimal, suggesting that while the checks written may have been smaller, investor interest has not waned significantly.
This relative steadiness stands in stark contrast to the global agrifoodtech investment scene, which saw a more pronounced 50% year-over-year plunge. Notably, the $940 million raised by Indian startups in 2023 is not a far cry from the $1.3 billion raised in 2019, a year that predates the valuation surge triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic. This is an encouraging sign for the Indian market, which has not experienced the same degree of contraction as the global sector, where total funding in 2023 was 20% less than in 2019 levels.
The report suggests that 2023 marked “a reversion to the mean for Indian agrifood startups,” indicating that the investment frenzy that peaked during the pandemic years is stabilizing to pre-pandemic norms. However, it’s not all positive news. The lack of dedicated agrifood investors like Omnivore in the top investor list points to potential challenges ahead for early-stage startups in India. Without a robust pipeline of specialist funds, younger companies and fresh ideas may struggle to secure the necessary capital to flourish.
Amidst these investment trends, an intriguing development is the blurring of boundaries between agrifood and other industry segments, such as fintech, biomaterials, and diet-related healthcare. This convergence is particularly noteworthy in the Indian context, where agriculture is not only an economic activity but a lifeline for over 150 million smallholder farmers. These farmers often battle with outdated practices and inefficient supply chains, and the integration of agrifood with other sectors could herald a new era of innovation and sustainability.
Take Bangalore-based altM, for instance, which is leveraging post-harvest crop residue to create biochemicals and biomaterials, thereby generating additional income for farmers by transforming what would be waste into valuable commodities. Similarly, LeadsConnect is offering fintech services that promise to forge more sustainable supply chains, benefiting both producers and consumers.
A closer look at the report’s key highlights reveals that while the total capital raised took a hit, the number of early-stage deals actually increased, hinting at a continued investor interest but at more conservative valuations. The median deal sizes across all stages saw a significant drop, with late-stage deals experiencing the most dramatic decrease. The impact of reduced funding was felt across the entire supply chain, with midstream startups bearing the brunt of an 80% decrease in investment. Despite a 46% decline, eGrocery remained the most funded category, followed by Agribusiness Marketplaces & Fintech, which saw a 62% fall.
The trend of later-stage startups securing follow-on bridge capital in smaller deal sizes aligns with the broader global pattern of valuation corrections and down rounds. This suggests that the investment landscape is undergoing a recalibration, with both investors and startups adjusting to a new normal.
As the industry digests the contents of the full report, the implications of these investment shifts will undoubtedly shape the strategies and trajectories of agrifoodtech startups in India. The coming year will reveal whether this “reversion to the mean” is a temporary blip or a sign of a more enduring change in the investment climate.