Uttam Kumar, Co-founder, Cropcoin, and Pulkit Mehrotra, Vice President, Unicorn India Ventures, outline expansion across Bihar and Jharkhand with focus on soil health and farm income
Mumbai, March 30, 2026: Agritech startup Cropcoin Technologies, known as Pehle Jaisa, has raised Rs 12 crore in a Pre-Series A funding round led by Unicorn India Ventures, with participation from Climate Angels and a-IDEA, NAARM.
The company will use the funds to expand its presence across Bihar and Jharkhand, scaling operations from 10 districts to all 66 districts. It also plans to invest in product development and infrastructure to support its goal of reaching Rs 100 crore in annual recurring revenue within the next 24 months.
Founded in 2022 by Pankaj Pandey and Ehtesham Farooqui, Cropcoin focuses on converting agricultural and animal waste into organic fertilisers and bio-stimulants at the source. Its approach enables farms to manage waste efficiently while improving soil quality and farm output.
Commenting on the fundraise, Uttam Kumar, Co-founder, Cropcoin, said, “Our mission at Pehle Jaisa is to redefine the rural economy by turning agricultural waste into a high-value resource. This investment from Unicorn India Ventures validates our decentralized approach, which not only improves soil health but also makes farming more profitable for the smallholder. We aren’t just building a supply chain; we are building a self-reliant agricultural ecosystem that restores the land to its original, healthy state exactly as the name Pehle Jaisa suggests.”
The company promotes reduced dependence on chemical fertilisers by encouraging organic alternatives and traditional farming practices. This contributes to improved soil conditions, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and safer agricultural produce.
Cropcoin has introduced a range of bio-category products designed to improve soil health and biodiversity while reducing input costs for farmers. Over the past year, the company has recorded threefold revenue growth and expanded its farmer network from 20,000 to 70,000 across Bihar, Jharkhand, and Manipur. It expects to close the year with Rs 10 crore in annual recurring revenue.
Pulkit Mehrotra, Vice President, Unicorn India Ventures, said, “Indian agritech market is experiencing rapid growth, moreover the rising awareness of sustainability and environmental fluctuations are influencing agritech trends in India. Farmers are increasingly turning to precision agriculture and moving towards bio-fertilizers to improve soil health and cut down on chemicals. This not only helps in lowering the costs for farmers but also protects the environment and soil in the long run. Cropcoin uses a hyperlocal and decentralised model which has helped them to expand faster. We believe the company will build a bigger farmer community going forward and with such innovation coming out of India this will definitely promote sustainable and highly organic farming inputs and help lower the agriculture cost in India.”
In the next 12 to 18 months, Cropcoin aims to complete its rollout across all 66 districts in Bihar and Jharkhand, doubling its farmer base to more than 1.5 lakh and strengthening decentralised processing units. The company also plans to expand its presence in the North East over the next three years.
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