Key Takeaways
- Fragaria Fruits raises $2 million in seed funding to boost production and expand fruit offerings.
- The startup aims to increase daily output from 2-3 kg to 120-150 kg in Bengaluru.
- Using vertical farming technology, Fragaria Fruits will supply premium strawberries and future offerings like blueberries and raspberries year-round.
Funding Overview
Chennai-based agritech startup Fragaria Fruits has successfully raised $2 million (INR 17.66 crore) in seed funding. The funding round was led by WEH Ventures, with contributions from Rainmatter, Spiral Ventures, and angel investor Sashi Kumar, founder of Akshayakalpa Organic.
The capital will primarily be used to scale production in Bengaluru, where the startup plans to increase its daily output from 2-3 kg to between 120-150 kg. Fragaria Fruits also aims to broaden its product range to include blueberries and raspberries, while ensuring a year-round supply of high-quality, sustainable produce to consumers in India.
About Fragaria Fruits
Founded in 2024 by Harish Varadharajan, Timothy Chad Van Niekerk, and Damian López-Salazar, Fragaria Fruits leverages their collective 25 years of global agricultural experience to address the challenge of providing consistent, premium-quality fruits year-round in India. The startup employs sustainable farming techniques, primarily controlled environmental agriculture (CEA) and vertical farming, to cultivate its fruits.
Fragaria Fruits markets its produce under the brand name “Oh! Fruits”, featuring European strawberries grown locally in Chennai. These strawberries are touted to be significantly sweeter than conventional Indian varieties, pesticide-free, and possess a shelf life three times longer than locally available options.
Market Context
The funding occurs during a period of growing demand for organic and pesticide-free produce in India. According to a study by IMARC Group, the Indian agritech market is projected to expand from $878.1 million in 2024 to $6.2 billion by 2033, achieving a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.93%. This surge is fueled by increased demand for sustainable agricultural practices, prompting investors to actively support emerging agritech startups. For example, Two Brothers Organic Farms recently raised INR 110 crore to enhance its manufacturing capabilities and broaden its global reach.
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