AgroStar raises $30M from climate-focused investor Just Climate

Agritech startup AgroStar on Thursday said it raised $30 million in fresh equity funding from climate-focused investor Just Climate, with participation from existing backers. Founded in 2013 by brothers Sitanshu and Shardul Sheth, AgroStar operates an agri-commerce and advisory platform, reaching more than 10 million farmers through nearly 10,000 retail outlets and a direct-to-farmer digital app. The startup sells over 200 branded farm-input products and provides real-time agronomy guidance through its AI systems. It will use the capital to expand its omnichannel presence, develop new products across its input and output businesses, and step up investments in AI tools that power its advisory and distribution network. “Indian agriculture stands at a critical juncture—climate variability and degraded soils threaten our farmers’ livelihoods,” CEO Shardul Sheth said. “Partnering with Just Climate brings far more than capital; they bring deep expertise in scaling natural climate solutions.” Just Climate said the investment marks its first India bet under its global natural climate solutions strategy. “Indian agriculture is a key priority for our strategy, both from the perspective of climate and nature action, as well as to ensure a just transition for people,” said Siddarth Shrikanth, Director at Just Climate. “We are delighted to be backing AgroStar.” The startup uses a proprietary AI system to give real-time, personalised agronomic recommendations to farmers, including guidance on fertiliser usage, water management, soil health, pest/disease management and crop-stage interventions, which helps improve yields while reducing unnecessary input spend. According to independent surveys cited by the company, 81% of its users reported higher production, and 53% said cultivation costs dropped. In FY25, the firm helped farmers save 276 billion litres of water and cut 120,000 metric tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions by reducing chemical-fertiliser usage. Accel Partner Prashanth Prakash, an early investor, said the founders had “reimagined Indian agriculture from the ground up.” “Our conviction in the team has only grown stronger over the years as they continue to prove that real, lasting change in Indian agriculture comes from building trust, delivering value, and staying rooted in the farmer’s reality,” he said. (Edited by Suman Singh)