KisanKonnect, a D2C brand in fresh commerce, has raised $4.5 million in its Series A funding round led by Mistry Ventures. The round also saw significant participation from Times Group’s Brand Capital, VC-Grid, Vishwang Desai and prominent family offices. The company also saw investment from Celebrity investor and Ace fitness icon Shilpa Shetty.
The funds raised will be used to strengthen its tech infrastructure, scale operations and expand its presence in key urban markets. It also plans to enable the significant use of AI on farm sourcing and supply chain to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
In January 2024, KisanKonnect raised $3.7 million in a pre-Series A funding round led by the leading climate-focused VC fund Green Frontier Capital.
Vivek Nirmal, Founder and CEO of KisanKonnect, said, “We see tremendous potential in branded fresh fruits and vegetables for quality-conscious, convenience-seeking urban consumers. These consumers are increasingly mindful of what they eat, and the biggest challenge is ensuring access to fresh, safe produce at fair prices. Our D2C model, combined with a highly specialized, tech-enabled, and temperature-controlled supply chain, not only meets this demand but also offers complete traceability for consumers. This approach has earned Kisankonnect the trust of our markets, making us the preferred brand for fresh produce.”
Nidhi Nirmal Co-founder and Chief Business Officer, KisanKonnect said, “We started with a 48-hour delivery model just four years ago. Today, we deliver within 4-6 hours across Mumbai and Pune. Our recent pilot for 30-minute delivery has been highly appreciated by consumers seeking convenience without compromising on quality and variety. This capability positions Kisankonnect as a major player in the fast-growing quick-commerce space, enabling us to reach a broader consumer base while empowering farmers to actively participate in this growth.”
Firoz Mistry of Mistry Ventures said, “There is immense potential in the agriculture landscape in India. With exceptional supply chain expertise and a deep understanding of the agriculture ecosystem, KisanKonnect is creating a robust and sustainable bridge between the needs of the customer and those of the farmer. They are able to support and provide security to farmers, in terms of advice during the growth process and comfort in procurement. Their well thought out supply chain enables delivery of high-quality fresh produce to the customers table typically within 12 – 48 hours of harvest.”
Founded in 2020 by Vivek Nirmal and Nidhi Nirmal, KisanKonnect sources food directly from its network of farmers through its village-level collection centres, and with no interference from the middlemen, delivers the produce to the consumers.
The company has built a network of over 5,000 farmers and has established a robust, tech-enabled supply chain for its vertically integrated business.
Its fresh produce, including fruits, vegetables, and dairy, is distributed through an exclusive mobile app and a growing network of ‘KisanKonnect Farm Stores’ across Mumbai and Pune.
In addition to fresh produce, KisanKonnect’s premium dairy products are made from antibiotic-free and hormone-free milk sourced directly from dairy farmers.
