GreenGrahi, Student-Run Startup, Secures Pre-Seed Funding from Campus Fund

GreenGrahi, a student-run startup focused on Agri-biotech, has successfully raised pre-seed funding from Campus Fund, marking a significant milestone in their journey. The funding will enable GreenGrahi to double its production capacity, enhance research and development efforts, and explore new market opportunities.

Founded in 2021 by Siddharth Sharma and Shivali Sugand, GreenGrahi specializes in the development of high-quality insect-based ingredients and supplements for animal and plant nutrition. The company utilizes its proprietary technology called Climate CubesTM to breed and rear black soldier flies, converting low-value commodities into valuable nutrients that can be utilized to enhance food production. By combining nature-inspired approaches with cutting-edge technology, GreenGrahi aims to create a circular system that benefits both the economy and the planet.

The startup is actively working with FMCG companies and agri-input suppliers to obtain agricultural by-products, which serve as the raw materials for their insect breeding process. Their current focus lies in providing an alternative to traditional sources of nutrition by producing superior-quality insect-based ingredients and supplements for shrimp, fish, poultry, pets, and plants.

GreenGrahi is currently conducting pilots with leading animal and plant nutrition industries and has established a production unit in Roorkee to facilitate comprehensive field trials. Additionally, the founders have established a robust research and development network, collaborating with biotech research labs in India, Israel, and Germany to drive innovation in the insect industry.

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With the global population projected to increase significantly by 2050 and corresponding food requirements expected to double, there is a pressing need for sustainable and nutrient-rich feed solutions. Currently, agricultural land and marine fish stocks are already strained due to meeting the needs of the current population. This has resulted in supply disruptions of essential nutrients, leading to unstable and inflated prices globally. GreenGrahi aims to address these challenges by leveraging the circular economy concept and transforming agricultural residues into insect ingredients using black soldier flies. The company's goal is to outperform traditional methods by delivering a product that is not only sustainable but also exhibits superior performance.

Siddharth Sharma, Co-founder of GreenGrahi, stated, "We aim to conduct commercial pilots and develop the capabilities required for scaling with this fundraising. By using proprietary biochemical processes, we upcycle different agricultural residues into nutrition-rich insect ingredients using black soldier flies." The startup has already conducted successful validations through over 250 interviews with global food industries, animal feed companies, insect farming companies, and subject matter experts. These validations have positioned GreenGrahi to operate at an industrial scale, showcasing their potential to revolutionize the Indian market with the highest quality insect nutritional profiles.

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Darshan Doshi, Student Investment Partner at Campus Fund, expressed enthusiasm for GreenGrahi's potential impact, stating, "What excites us most about the GreenGrahi team is the deep expertise and vision they bring to the table, along with the growing demand for sustainable animal and plant nutrition solutions." Doshi emphasized the need for sustainable alternatives to traditional feed production methods, which are prone to externalities such as price shocks. GreenGrahi's innovative insect ingredients, leveraging agricultural residues, are well-positioned to create a long-lasting impact on the ecosystem.

Campus Fund, which champions fearless student entrepreneurs and recent graduates challenging the status quo, is backed by notable figures from India Inc. and global leaders who believe in the future of India. The funding secured from Campus Fund will not only drive GreenGrahi's growth but also support its mission to revolutionize the animal and plant nutrition industry with sustainable and high-quality insect-based solutions.

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