Krishi Network is a startup from India that aims to help farmers through technology. Founded in 2018, the company has been growing rapidly to serve the agricultural community. Here is a look at how it all began and the people behind it.
Krishi Network was started with a clear vision to transform Indian agriculture. The founders wanted to use technology to help farmers get accurate and instant answers to their questions. This vision was driven by the founders' own experiences and the growing internet penetration in rural areas.
The early days involved a lot of planning and research. The founders, Ashish Mishra and Siddhant Bhomia, worked hard to understand the needs of farmers and how they could be helped through a digital platform. They saw an opportunity to connect farmers with experts, brands, and other stakeholders in the agriculture sector.
The vision is to enable farmers to make better decisions and improve their profits. As Ashish Mishra, Founder of Krishi Network, said, "We started Krishi Network with a vision to transform Indian agriculture by enabling farmers to adopt change with confidence[1]."
Ashish Mishra and Siddhant Bhomia are the co-founders of Krishi Network. Ashish Mishra is a graduate of IIT Kharagpur and has over 12 years of experience in the tech and growth sector. He is passionate about creating a large impact in Indian agriculture.
Siddhant Bhomia, also from IIT Kharagpur, has over 11 years of experience in data analytics. He has worked with companies like Fractal Analytics, PWC, and Innovaccer. His expertise in building data platforms has been crucial for Krishi Network.
Both founders bring a strong technical background and a deep understanding of the agricultural sector to the table.
Krishi Network has evolved significantly since its inception. From its initial concept to its current state, the company has made several key milestones and expanded its product portfolio.
The initial concept of Krishi Network was to provide a digital platform where farmers could get instant and accurate answers to their agriculture-related queries. This was achieved through a mix of AI/ML algorithms and a distributed expert panel.
Today, Krishi Network is a complete tech-driven agro supply chain platform. It connects farmers with input brands, merchants, buyers of produce, and lenders. The platform has grown to include various features such as content curation and direct connections with agricultural brands.
The company has also onboarded over 30 lakh farmers and has 8000+ experts registered on its platform. This has helped in providing '15-minute answers' for questions around any agricultural service[1].
Krishi Network has achieved several key growth milestones. One significant milestone was the onboarding of actor Pankaj Tripathi as an investor and brand ambassador. This association helped the startup reach out to the masses and connect with farmers at the grassroots level[1].
The company has also raised funds from prominent angel investors, including Sanjiv Rangrass from ITC, Sunil Khairnar from Indigram labs, and others. These funds are being used to expand the AI-based technology platform across India[1].
Krishi Network has been featured in several media outlets such as Businessworld, Times of India, and The Hindu, which has helped increase its visibility and credibility[5].
Krishi Network's product portfolio has expanded to include various services. The platform offers a one-stop solution for farmers to receive instant answers to their queries. It also provides content curation and direct connections with agricultural brands and other stakeholders in the agriculture supply chain[1]).
The company has introduced features like creating content bins based on search terms and providing workspace layouts for different agricultural activities. The app is currently available in Hindi, Marathi, Punjabi, and English, with plans to launch in other languages soon[1].
Here are some key products and services offered by Krishi Network:
Krishi Network's technology infrastructure is robust and designed to support its growing user base. Here is an overview of its core platform architecture, security framework, and innovations in the industry.
The core platform of Krishi Network leverages AI/ML algorithms to provide instant and accurate answers to farmers' queries. The platform is supported by a distributed expert panel, ensuring that farmers get reliable information quickly[1]).
The platform also includes features like online and offline support, connecting farmers with agri brands, agri-input merchants, and other stakeholders in the agriculture supply chain. This architecture helps in easing information accessibility for farmers and enabling them to generate higher profits from their land[1]).
The use of AI and ML algorithms allows the platform to handle a large volume of queries efficiently.
Krishi Network ensures a strong security and compliance framework to protect user data. The platform is designed to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of the information shared by farmers and experts[1]).
While specific details on the security framework are not extensively detailed, the company's focus on reliability and trust suggests a robust security system in place. This is crucial for maintaining user trust and ensuring the platform's credibility.
Krishi Network is innovating in the agricultural sector by using technology to solve real-world problems. The platform's use of AI and ML algorithms to provide instant answers is a significant innovation. It helps farmers make critical farm decisions quickly and accurately[1]).
The company's approach to connecting farmers with experts and other stakeholders is also innovative. It bridges the gap between farmers and the resources they need, making agriculture more efficient and profitable.
Here are some innovative aspects of Krishi Network:
Krishi Network has made a significant impact on the agricultural market in India. Founded by IIT Kharagpur alumni Ashish Mishra and Siddhant Bhomia, the platform aims to transform Indian agriculture by providing farmers with instant and accurate answers to their queries.
Krishi Network has seen substantial growth in its user base. The platform is currently connected with 30 lakh farmers, which is a significant milestone. This growth is attributed to the platform's ability to provide valuable information and connect farmers with experts and other agri-businesses beyond their local area.
The user base growth is also driven by the platform's availability in multiple languages, including Hindi, Marathi, Punjabi, and English. This multilingual approach helps in reaching a broader audience and making the platform more accessible to farmers across different regions.
The founders are committed to expanding this network further. Ashish Mishra mentioned, "We are growing their horizon by reliably connecting them to experts and other agri-businesses beyond their local area."[6]
Krishi Network is expanding its market share by offering a comprehensive suite of services. The platform provides a one-stop solution for farmers, including problem-solving, content curation, and direct connections with agricultural brands. This holistic approach helps in increasing the platform's market share by catering to various needs of the agricultural community.
The acquisition of Rocket Skills, an agriculture-focused edtech platform, is another step towards market share expansion. This acquisition will help Krishi Network in offering training to farmers and boosting its ground presence.
The platform's expansion plans include launching new agri-focused platforms like Krishi Plus and rebranding Rocket Skills as Krishi Safal. These initiatives are designed to increase the platform's reach and impact within the agricultural sector.
Krishi Network is working towards financial inclusion by enabling farmers to generate higher profits from their land. The platform leverages AI/ML algorithms and a distributed expert panel to provide farmers with valuable insights and advice, which helps in improving their agricultural productivity and financial outcomes.
The platform also facilitates connections between farmers and agri-input merchants, which can help in reducing costs and increasing efficiency. This financial inclusion initiative is crucial for the economic growth of farmers and the overall agricultural sector.
The founders aim to continue supporting farmers financially through various initiatives. Ashish Mishra stated, "We started Krishi Network with a vision to transform Indian agriculture by enabling farmers to adopt change with confidence."[6]
Krishi Network has had a notable financial journey since its inception. The company has raised funds from prominent angel investors, which has helped in expanding its operations and enhancing its technology platform.
The revenue growth of Krishi Network is driven by its expanding user base and the introduction of new services. The acquisition of Rocket Skills is expected to boost the company's revenue by offering training programs and other agricultural services to farmers.
The platform's revenue model includes generating income from various sources such as advertising, sponsored content, and partnerships with agri-brands. As the platform grows, these revenue streams are expected to increase, contributing to the company's overall revenue growth.
Ashish Mishra mentioned that the acquisition will help the company achieve its revenue targets and expand its operations further. This indicates a positive outlook for the company's revenue growth in the coming years[8]).
Krishi Network is on a path to profitability by focusing on cost-effective operations and revenue-enhancing strategies. The company leverages technology to reduce operational costs and increase efficiency, which helps in achieving profitability[6]).
The platform's focus on providing valuable services to farmers ensures a high level of user engagement and retention. This engagement translates into revenue through various channels, helping the company move towards profitability[6]).
The founders are committed to relentless efforts to help solve the biggest challenges facing Indian farmers, which includes financial sustainability. This commitment is expected to drive the company's path to profitability[6]).
Krishi Network has raised funds from several prominent angel investors. The list includes Sanjiv Rangrass from ITC, Sunil Khairnar from Indigram labs, Venkat Tadanki from Anvaya ventures, and others. These investments have been crucial in expanding the company's AI-based technology platform across India[6]).
The fresh funds raised will be used to grow the platform rapidly and enhance its services. The company's valuation is expected to increase as it expands its user base and introduces new services, making it an attractive investment opportunity[6]).
The investors have shown confidence in the company's vision and potential. Sanjiv Rangrass, one of the angel investors, stated that the team at Krishi Network will change the landscape for farmers, indicating a positive outlook for the company's future[6]).
Krishi Network has formed several strategic partnerships to enhance its services and reach. These partnerships are crucial for the company's growth and expansion plans.
While specific details on banking collaborations are not available, Krishi Network's focus on financial inclusion suggests potential partnerships with banks and financial institutions. Such partnerships could help in providing financial services to farmers, such as loans and other financial products.
These collaborations would align with the company's goal of enabling farmers to generate higher profits from their land. By partnering with banks, Krishi Network could facilitate easier access to financial resources for farmers, thereby supporting their economic growth.
Key potential banking collaborations could include:
Krishi Network has onboarded agri-brands, agri-input merchants, and other stakeholders in the agriculture supply chain. These merchant partnerships are essential for providing farmers with access to necessary inputs and services.
The platform connects farmers directly with these merchants, which helps in reducing costs and increasing efficiency. This direct connection also ensures that farmers get the best quality inputs, which can improve their agricultural productivity.
Key merchant partnerships include:
Krishi Network leverages AI/ML algorithms and a distributed expert panel to provide farmers with valuable insights and advice. The company's technology alliances are crucial for enhancing its platform and services.
The acquisition of Rocket Skills, an edtech platform, is a significant technology alliance. This acquisition will help Krishi Network in offering training programs and other educational services to farmers, which will be supported by advanced technology[8]).
Key technology alliances could include:
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