A season of smaller bets & realistic valuation as India agrifoodtech funding dips to pre-pandemic levels 

Agrifoodtech deal sizes have been decreasing in India in 2024 with investors showing equal interest as before but in smaller deals.

According to AgFunder and Omnivore’s sixth India AgriFoodTech Investment Report, there has been just under $1 billion in startup investment, a 60% year-over-year decline from $2.4 billion in 2022. However, India maintained a steady deal activity with 129 deals, only slightly fewer than in 2022. This reduction aligns closely with the global decline in agrifoodtech investments, which fell by 50% year-over-year. 

Louisa Burwood-Taylor, Managing Editor of AgFunder News, observed, “The global downturn in agrifood investments is attributed to fewer and smaller deals, but the situation in India indicates a fundamental shift. Although the number of deals remains nearly unchanged, the investment approach in India has become more selective and merit-based, suggesting a gradual and promising revival of the sector.”

The global downturn in agrifood investments is attributed to fewer and smaller deals, but the situation in India indicates a fundamental shift. Although the number of deals remains nearly unchanged, the investment approach in India has become more selective and merit-based, suggesting a gradual and promising revival of the sector

Louisa Burwood-Taylor, Managing Editor of AgFunder News

Unlike the global market, however, the total funds raised by Indian agrifood startups were not far off from the $1.3 billion garnered in pre-Covid 2019, suggesting a normalization of market conditions after a period of excessive valuations. A concerning trend is the limited participation of agrifood investors.

As per the report, Indian agrifoodtech startups raised $940 million across 129 deals, down 60% from 2022, when it stood at 133.

Although, more early stage deals closed in 2023 than 2022 indicating continued interest by investors in the category but at much lower valuations than in previous years. The median deal sizes also dropped significantly year-on-year across stages and most dramatically at the late stages, 50% at the early stages (Seed and Series A), 39% at the growth stages (Series B and C) and 89% at Series D and later.

Mark Kahn, Managing Partner, Omnivore, said, “What we see unfolding before us is the return of realistic valuations that reflect the operational and financial achievements of the companies. From unbridled growth strategies, the focus is squarely on prioritizing building a strong business model, focusing on profitability, and creating value for customers and stakeholders. Like 2023, this year will be a great vintage year to invest in promising startups, especially for founders who are building differentiated and unit economically viable businesses from the beginning.”

What we see unfolding before us is the return of realistic valuations that reflect the operational and financial achievements of the companies. From unbridled growth strategies, the focus is squarely on prioritizing building a strong business model, focusing on profitability, and creating value for customers and stakeholders

Mark Kahn, Managing Partner, Omnivore

Despite a decrease in the median deal sizes, the willingness to invest persists, although at lower ticket sizes, with Ag Marketplaces and eGrocery receiving the most attention yet again. However, there are fewer players in the market than before, reflecting Power Law dynamics.  

All parts of the supply chain received substantially less funding in 2023 than 2022, with Midstream startups faring the worst with an 80% decrease. Still, eGrocery was the most funded category, albeit with a 46% year-over-year drop to $420 million. Agribusiness marketplaces & fintech was the second best funded category, raising $162 million, a more pronounced 62% decline. Together, e-grocery and ag marketplaces and fintech accounted for 62% of the capital raised in 2023.

Read more: Indian cleantech must buck up in 2024: Only 5 companies with $100M+ rounds in 2023 & only 1 Unicorn

Many later-stage startups raised follow-on bridge capital in 2023, resulting in smaller deals at the late stage. This is in line with global agrifoodtech investment trends, where later-stage startups have raised down rounds and overall valuations have been severely corrected.