KisanKonnect, an Indian farm-to-fork startup, has secured ₹72 crore (around $8 million) in a pre-Series B funding round. Bajaj Finserv Group led the round, with participation from Mistry Ventures, Desai Foods, Dhanuka Agritech, and Action Tessa Family Office. This follows a $4.5 million Series A funding just months ago, which shows investors are confident in the company’s D2C model in India.
Vivek and Nidhi Nirmal founded KisanKonnect in 2020. The company is building a strong D2C food and beverage brand by sourcing directly from farmers and delivering to over 100,000 customers in Mumbai and Pune through its app and farm stores. KisanKonnect has set itself apart by being both a tech-driven logistics company and a consumer-focused D2C brand, tackling the tricky business of handling perishable goods in the Indian D2C market.
The new funds will go towards improving its supply chain, expanding its D2C strategy across multiple channels, and adding tech-based solutions to cut down on fresh produce waste. Co-founder Vivek Nirmal said that they’ve created unique tech tools and strong farmer relationships that make perishable goods logistics predictable, scalable, and customer-friendly. This funding will help them grow their tech capabilities, strengthen their farmer network, and expand their digital and physical presence.
KisanKonnect’s growth is closely linked to its supply chain improvements. They’ve developed tools for traceability, AI-based demand forecasting, a farmer advisory app, and real-time dashboards. These help the company manage over 650 items of temperature-sensitive produce, while maintaining quality and reducing waste. This efficiency makes it one of the fastest-growing D2C startups in India’s fresh produce sector.
For consumers, KisanKonnect uses a two-pronged D2C approach. Its app offers 60-minute delivery in Mumbai and Pune, targeting younger, quick-commerce users. At the same time, KisanKonnect Farm Stores cater to customers who prefer shopping in person. This strategy has been key to expanding their reach and building customer loyalty.
The farm-to-consumer fresh produce space in India is getting more competitive. Handpickd recently announced a $15 million Series A round. However, the segment has its challenges, as seen with the closures of Fraazo, Otipy, and Deep Rooted, which shows how hard it is to scale logistics for perishables. Despite this, KisanKonnect’s growth, backed by investors, and its sustainable business model make it a standout in the D2C market.
With this new capital and its focus on supply chain tech, farmer partnerships, and expansion across different channels, KisanKonnect is becoming more than just a farm-to-fork business. It’s turning into a key example of D2C brand building and a strong player in India’s direct-to-consumer market. As funding rounds and valuations dominate discussions around India’s D2C scene, KisanKonnect’s journey shows the kind of scalable, tech-driven, and customer-focused model that will shape the future of D2C business in India.
