Bhubaneswar-based Aquapulse, a shrimp aquaculture and seafood export startup, has successfully raised Rs 45 crore in a funding round led by NABVENTURES’ AgriSURE Fund, along with participation from IAN Alpha Fund. This funding is significant as it underscores the growing investor interest in agritech startups that leverage technology to solve traditional industry challenges. The capital will be used to enhance Aquapulse’s farm-level technology, disease management systems, and expand its procurement network across eastern India. The startup also plans to scale its processing and export operations and strengthen its working capital infrastructure.
### Aquapulse’s Innovative Approach
Founded in 2023 by Abhishek and Abhilash Dwivedy, Aquapulse operates a technology-enabled platform that connects small shrimp farmers with both domestic and international markets. By implementing a hub-and-spoke model led by local aquapreneurs, the startup has established a presence in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal. Aquapulse offers a comprehensive suite of services to farmers, including water quality monitoring, feed management, disease early-warning systems, and market access. The company also integrates pre-harvest support, processing, and export logistics into a traceable supply chain, ensuring transparency and efficiency.
### The Funding Environment and Market Context
The funding environment for agritech in India is gaining momentum, with investors keen on backing startups that address systemic inefficiencies in agriculture. Aquapulse’s recent funding round is a testament to this trend, aligning with the broader push towards digital transformation in agribusiness. In 2025, India’s seafood exports reached $8.28 billion, with shrimp making up a significant portion of this market. Aquapulse is positioned to capitalize on this growth by addressing critical challenges faced by shrimp farmers, such as fragmented market access and pricing volatility. The startup’s focus on technology adoption and traceability meets the rising demands of global buyers for transparency in supply chains.
### Implications for India’s Startup Ecosystem
Aquapulse’s success highlights the potential for agritech startups to drive economic growth and innovation in India’s agricultural sector. By providing smallholder farmers with access to global markets and equipping them with technology-driven solutions, startups like Aquapulse are paving the way for a more connected and efficient agribusiness landscape. This development is likely to encourage more entrepreneurs to explore technology applications in agriculture, fostering a new wave of agritech innovations. Additionally, the participation of institutional investors such as NABVENTURES and IAN Alpha Fund signals growing confidence in the scalability and impact of agritech solutions.
As Aquapulse continues to scale its operations, the startup will likely focus on expanding its farmer network and enhancing its technological capabilities. For founders and investors, the trajectory of Aquapulse offers a glimpse into the potential of agritech solutions in addressing traditional agricultural challenges. Observing how Aquapulse navigates its growth and adapts to market demands will provide valuable insights for stakeholders looking to invest in or develop similar ventures in the agritech sector.
