Stellapps Technologies Pvt. Ltd. is a pioneering startup in India, focused on digitizing the dairy supply chain. Founded in 2011, the company has made significant strides in improving dairy farming practices through technology. Here’s a look at their foundation story.
The idea behind Stellapps was born out of a desire to improve the lives of farmers and enhance dairy production. The five co-founders, who were colleagues at Wipro Technologies, realized the need for technological interventions in the dairy sector. They saw an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of dairy farmers, especially in emerging markets where yield per animal was low, traceability was inadequate, and quality was not up to the mark[2].
The founders, in their late 30s and early 40s, decided it was the right time to take the leap. They narrowed down their vision to work towards the improvement of life, leveraging their technical expertise in agriculture and health. In April 2011, the idea was further refined, and Stellapps Technologies Pvt Ltd was registered.
Stellapps was incubated at IIT Madras’ Rural Technology Business Incubator (RTBI), which provided the necessary support for their innovative venture. This incubation played a crucial role in validating their idea and attracting initial funding from investors like Omnivore Partners[2].
The founding team of Stellapps consists of highly experienced professionals. Ranjith Mukundan, the CEO and Managing Director, has a background in telecom and software engineering. He has led a team of 250 people at Wipro Telecom Application Practice and has 17 years of industry experience.
The other co-founders include Ravishankar, Praveen, Ramakrishna, and Venkatesh, all of whom bring diverse expertise to the table. Ravishankar handles business development, Praveen oversees new product development as the Chief Technology Officer, Ramakrishna focuses on software solutions, and Venkatesh heads domain solutions.
The collective experience of the founding team, with an aggregate of over 100 years, has been instrumental in driving innovation and scaling the organization. Their telecom background and experience in leading companies have helped them build a robust and efficient dairy technology ecosystem.
Stellapps has undergone significant evolution since its inception. From its initial concept to its current state, the company has expanded its services and product portfolio, making it a leader in the dairy technology sector.
Initially, Stellapps started as an IoT app store with customized app-based solutions for multiple sectors, including hospitals and logistics companies. However, the founders soon realized that focusing on one sector would be more viable. They decided to concentrate on agriculture, particularly dairy farming, due to its vast potential and need for technological advancements.
The company customized its existing technology for cattle and farms, creating animal wearable devices with sensors and automated milking systems. This approach significantly improved farm productivity and gave Stellapps the confidence to scale up and expand its services to more farmers.
Today, Stellapps is not just a tech licensing company but a vertically integrated company that manages the entire dairy supply chain under its brand, mooMark. This ecosystem-led approach includes providing various value-added services to farmers, such as financial assistance, veterinary care, and digital payments[5]).
Stellapps has achieved several key milestones in its growth journey. One of the significant milestones was securing funding from prominent investors. The company has raised a total of USD 36.8 million from investors like Blume Ventures, Omnivore Capital, Qualcomm, and Stride Ventures, as well as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Netherlands sovereign fund IDH[5]).
In 2024, Stellapps raised $26 million in its latest Series C funding round to expand its mooMark brand, focusing on sustainable and traceable dairy products. This funding will accelerate the growth of Stellapps’ contract manufacturing and private-label dairy products[3]).
Stellapps has also expanded its presence significantly, currently operating in over 42,000 villages and empowering approximately 3.5 million farmers. The company monitors about 14 million liters of milk daily and has enabled over 170 milk-processing companies to improve their profitability[3][5]).
Stellapps has a diverse product portfolio that includes end-to-end technology solutions for the dairy industry. Their IoT and cloud-based solutions help farmers increase milk productivity, reduce costs and wastage, and ensure better milk quality. The company offers various value-added services such as banking, veterinary care, cattle insurance, nutrition advisory, feed-fodder provision, and credit access[4]).
The mooMark brand is a key part of Stellapps’ product expansion. It focuses on delivering sustainable and traceable dairy products through contract manufacturing and private-label services. This brand aims to position Stellapps as a formidable supplier of high-quality dairy products in the market[3]).
Stellapps also provides intelligent procurement, cold-chain, and data-analytics services to milk processors, enhancing their efficiency and profitability. The company’s solutions are designed to increase transparency, traceability, and premium milk quality, ultimately benefiting farmers and increasing their income[4]).
Stellapps’ technology infrastructure is a cornerstone of its success. Here’s a look at the core platform architecture, security and compliance framework, and the innovation it brings to the dairy industry.
Stellapps’ technology is built around IoT and cloud-based solutions. The company uses sensors placed on cattle and chilling systems to collect data, which is then transferred via wireless networks to Stellapps’ servers. This data can be monitored through their Android apps, providing farmers with real-time information to enhance milk production quality[2][4]).
The platform includes automated milking systems, animal health monitoring solutions, and comprehensive milk procurement and cold-chain monitoring equipment. These tools are integrated with data analytics to provide superior solutions to farmers, helping them make informed decisions[4]).
The tech stack is designed to be user-friendly, ensuring that farmers have little to do to understand the information being transmitted. This simplicity has been a key factor in the adoption and success of Stellapps’ solutions[2]).
Stellapps ensures robust security and compliance measures to protect the data of its users. While specific details on their security protocols are not extensively detailed, the company’s focus on data analytics and cloud-based solutions implies a strong emphasis on data security and compliance with industry standards[4]).
The company’s ability to handle large volumes of data securely is crucial, given that it monitors millions of liters of milk daily. Stellapps’ commitment to transparency and traceability also suggests a stringent compliance framework to maintain the integrity of the dairy supply chain[3][5]).
Stellapps is a pioneer in the dairy technology sector, bringing significant innovation to the industry. The company’s use of IoT, AI, and data analytics has significantly increased farmer income and improved milk quality. Stellapps has adopted a holistic approach to resolving the challenges faced by dairy farmers in India[4]).
The company’s innovative solutions include animal wearable devices, automated milking systems, and comprehensive data analytics. These innovations have set Stellapps apart from other solution providers, making it a clear winner in the dairy technology space[4]).
Stellapps has also been recognized for its contributions, with seven patent applications for its in-house IoT tools, of which three have been approved. This underscores the company’s commitment to innovation and its impact on the dairy industry[5]).
Stellapps Technologies Pvt. Ltd has made a significant impact on the dairy industry in India. Here’s how they have grown and expanded their influence.
Stellapps has seen substantial growth in its user base over the years. The company's dairy-tech solutions are now deployed in over 42,000 villages across India, facilitating the movement of over 14 million litres of milk per day[10].This widespread adoption is a result of the company's focus on improving the dairy supply chain. Stellapps' platform connects farmers with various stakeholders, including financial and insurance institutions, cattle nutrition providers, and agro-input providers. This integration has helped in increasing the efficiency and productivity of dairy farms.The user base includes a diverse range of clients, such as Unilever, Punjab Paneer, FreshToHome, and Namdhari, as well as hotels, restaurants, and cafés (Horeca). This diverse client base indicates the company's ability to cater to different segments of the dairy industry.
Stellapps has been expanding its market share through strategic initiatives. One key strategy is the expansion into new markets both domestically and internationally. The company is looking to enter new regions and establish partnerships with local dairy farmers and cooperatives[7].This expansion is driven by the increasing demand for dairy products worldwide. By leveraging its expertise and technology, Stellapps aims to tap into these new markets and establish a strong presence. For instance, the company plans to begin exporting to West Asia, which is expected to happen in the next two to three quarters[10].Here are some key markets Stellapps is targeting:
Stellapps has been working on financial inclusion initiatives to benefit dairy farmers. The company connects farmers with financial and insurance institutions, which helps in providing them with necessary financial support.This initiative is part of Stellapps' broader goal to improve the overall efficiency and profitability of dairy farms. By providing access to financial services, the company helps farmers in managing their operations better and making informed decisions.For example, Stellapps' platform allows farmers to access loans and insurance, which are crucial for their economic stability. This financial inclusion has a positive impact on the dairy economy, uplifting the farmers and the entire supply chain.Here are some financial inclusion initiatives by Stellapps:
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