Investor Profile: AgriSURE Fund — Thesis, Cheque Size & How to Apply

The AgriSURE Fund, formally the Agri Fund for Start-ups & Rural Enterprises, is India's dedicated agritech and rural-enterprise fund, jointly promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, NABARD, and other institutions. It fills a gap: patient capital for businesses tied to seasons, supply chains, and smallholder farmers.

Thesis

The thesis is to strengthen the agricultural value chain and rural infrastructure while creating employment and supporting farmer producer organisations.

Sectors and stages

AgriSURE targets startups in agriculture and rural development, including agritech, food processing, animal husbandry, fisheries, supply chains, farm mechanisation, biotechnology, waste management, renewable energy, and climate change. The direct scheme targets early-stage startups recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and incorporated in India beyond prototype, with steady revenue.

Fund size and cheque size

The total corpus is ₹750 crore: ₹250 crore from the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, ₹250 crore from NABARD, and ₹250 crore from other institutions. The fund runs for 10 years, extendable by two years, and aims to support approximately 85 startups. It has two schemes: the AgriSURE – FoF Scheme, with a ₹450 crore corpus backing Category I and II alternative investment funds, up to 5% of an AIF's corpus or ₹25 crore per fund, whichever is lower; and the AgriSURE – Direct Scheme, with a ₹300 crore corpus making direct equity investments of up to ₹25 crore per startup.

Notable portfolio

The first investee recognised under AgriSURE was Fambo Innovation Pvt Ltd, which connects farmers and farmer producer organisations with food businesses such as quick service restaurants and cloud kitchens. At the Global Fintech Festival 2025, where that first investment was announced, NABARD also showcased Kuberjee Tech Pvt Ltd (financial solutions), NAVADHAN Capital (credit access for smallholder farmers), and SLO Technologies (real-time collateral management). Fambo is the named first investee; the others were showcased, not necessarily investees.

Partners and team

The investment manager is NABVENTURES Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of NABARD, which makes final investment decisions. Meeting the qualification criteria does not guarantee sanction: each investment is considered on merit, and the investment manager's decision is final.

Programs run

Beyond its two investment schemes, AgriSURE sits alongside NABARD's rural innovation infrastructure, including the RuralTech CoLab portal launched at the Global Fintech Festival 2025, which brings together fintechs, agritechs, and digital service providers for rural solutions. The fund has also run the AgriSURE Greenathon, tackling smart agriculture on a budget, turning agri-waste into opportunities, and making regenerative agriculture economically viable.

Credits and perks

No credits, perks, or partner-discount package has been publicly disclosed by the AgriSURE Fund. Its non-capital value is institutional: NABARD's rural network, credibility with farmer organisations and financial institutions, and a mandate that understands agricultural timelines.

How to apply for funding

Startups or funds seeking investment can reach out directly to the investment manager at [email protected], according to the fund's official frequently asked questions. No public web form is advertised, so a well-structured email is the route: company profile, DPIIT recognition status, sector, revenue stage, use of funds, and amount sought. Understanding how to get funding from the AgriSURE Fund means showing both commercial traction and rural impact, since the fund is judged on both.