Agri-finance startup ONO has successfully secured $1.2 million in a Pre-Series A funding round led by early-stage venture capital firm Aeravti Ventures. The investment, which also saw participation from Angels and Tremis Capital, will fuel the company's mission to digitize India's post-harvest supply chain. This new capital injection underscores growing investor confidence in technology-driven solutions for the agricultural sector.
Addressing Supply Chain Inefficiencies
ONO tackles long-standing inefficiencies within the agricultural value chain, such as a lack of structured data, trusted networks, and timely financial access. Founded by Rama Rao Kancharapu and David Pokuri, the company provides a data-first platform for Agri-SMEs. This technology offers real-time intelligence on pricing, logistics, and market behavior, enabling smarter and more reliable decision-making.
The platform's impact is validated by impressive operational metrics, serving over 130,000 participants across 12 states in India. ONO has successfully reduced transaction fraud in long-haul agri-trade to below 2%, a significant improvement over industry averages. Furthermore, the company maintains a remarkable non-performing asset rate of just 0.05% across its co-lending activities.
Strategic Expansion and Financial Integration
The newly acquired funds are earmarked for several key growth initiatives aimed at scaling the company's operations. ONO plans to enhance its technology platform, expand its presence into new markets, and accelerate overall ecosystem growth. This strategic allocation of capital is designed to solidify its position in the agri-finance landscape.
A pivotal part of ONO's strategy includes the recent acquisition of a significant stake in a Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC). This move is set to deepen its lending capabilities and strengthen credit access for underserved agricultural SMEs. By integrating financial services more directly, ONO aims to provide a more comprehensive solution for its users.
Investor Confidence and Market Context
Aeravti Ventures' continued support, having also led ONO's seed round, signals strong conviction in the startup's vision and execution. Rishabh Singh, Managing Partner at Aeravti, highlighted ONO's ability to build trust, transparency, and financial accessibility across the supply chain. This enduring partnership reinforces confidence in the company's long-term potential and leadership.
This investment arrives as India's agritech sector experiences a surge in activity, with a notable increase in deal flow over the past year. Investors appear willing to back the long-term digital transformation of the farm economy, prioritizing market share and scale. ONO's funding contributes to a trend of sustained capital infusion into this critical industry.
With this $1.2 million in fresh capital, ONO is well-positioned to advance its mission of creating a more efficient and transparent agricultural ecosystem. The company is now preparing for a larger Series A round to further scale its technology and financial infrastructure. This strategic growth phase aims to solidify ONO's role as a key enabler for Agri-SMEs across India.