{ "dataset": "bihar_startups_evidence", "record_type": "startup_profile", "schema_version": "1.0", "as_of": "2026-09-30", "research_principles": { "evidence_policy": "Every fact needs a dated source: Parliament or ministry data, state government, established news, or a statement published by the company or its investor. Company and investor statements are labelled as such and lower the confidence level.", "inclusion_policy": "A startup is listed only if a source ties it to Bihar (headquarters, founding, or operations). The bihar_connection field records which.", "funding_policy": "Only rounds reported by a source are listed. On-air TV offers, sanctioned-but-undisclosed government support and planned raises are classified separately from closed rounds. Database totals (Inc42 Datalabs, Tracxn, PitchBook) are not treated as confirmed." }, "ecosystem_indicators": [ { "id": "BIHAR-SU-IND-001", "metric": "DPIIT-recognised startups in Bihar (cumulative)", "value": 3766, "unit": "startups", "as_of": "2025-06-30", "classification": "official_statistic", "note": "3,049 of these were recognised in FY2020-21 to FY2024-25.", "sources": [ { "source_id": "ls-4302-2025-08-19", "publisher": "Lok Sabha, Unstarred Question 4302 (DPIIT reply)", "source_type": "official_government", "publication_date": "2025-08-19", "url_reference": "https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/185/AU4302_1XsKU0.pdf?source=pqals", "supports": [ "3,766 recognised startups in Bihar as on 30 June 2025", "3,049 recognised in the last five financial years" ] } ] }, { "id": "BIHAR-SU-IND-002", "metric": "DPIIT-recognised Bihar startups categorised as closed (dissolved/struck off)", "value": 96, "unit": "startups", "as_of": "2025-11-11", "classification": "official_statistic", "note": "The August 2025 reply gave 95 closed and none inactive/dormant for Bihar. About 2.5% of recognised Bihar startups are recorded as closed.", "sources": [ { "source_id": "ls-441-2025-12-02", "publisher": "Lok Sabha, Unstarred Question 441 (DPIIT reply)", "source_type": "official_government", "publication_date": "2025-12-02", "url_reference": "https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/186/AU441_oyPWzK.pdf?source=pqals", "supports": [ "96 closed Bihar startups per MCA data as of 11 November 2025" ] }, { "source_id": "ls-4302-2025-08-19", "publisher": "Lok Sabha, Unstarred Question 4302 (DPIIT reply)", "source_type": "official_government", "publication_date": "2025-08-19", "url_reference": "https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/185/AU4302_1XsKU0.pdf?source=pqals", "supports": [ "95 closed and 0 inactive/dormant Bihar startups" ] } ] }, { "id": "BIHAR-SU-IND-003", "metric": "DPIIT-recognised Bihar startups with at least one woman director or partner, by year of recognition", "value": 2153, "unit": "startups", "as_of": "2026-01-31", "classification": "official_statistic", "breakdown": { "2017": 23, "2018": 53, "2019": 59, "2020": 114, "2021": 183, "2022": 257, "2023": 384, "2024": 417, "2025": 600, "2026": 63 }, "note": "Total is the sum of the yearly figures; 2026 covers January only. 36 such Bihar startups are recorded as closed.", "sources": [ { "source_id": "ls-4037-2026-03-17", "publisher": "Lok Sabha, Unstarred Question 4037 (DPIIT reply)", "source_type": "official_government", "publication_date": "2026-03-17", "url_reference": "https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/187/AU4037_3p8uWv.pdf?source=pqals", "supports": [ "year-wise women-led recognised startups for Bihar", "36 closed Bihar startups with a woman director/partner" ] } ] }, { "id": "BIHAR-SU-IND-004", "metric": "Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) money disbursed to Bihar incubators", "value": 6.59, "unit": "INR crore", "as_of": "2025-10-31", "classification": "official_statistic", "breakdown": { "2023_approved": 8.4, "2023_disbursed": 3.02, "2024_approved": 0, "2024_disbursed": 1.22, "2025_approved": 0, "2025_disbursed": 2.35 }, "note": "Value is the sum of 2023-2025 disbursements (calendar years; 2025 up to 31 October). No new approvals for Bihar incubators in 2024 or 2025.", "sources": [ { "source_id": "ls-441-2025-12-02", "publisher": "Lok Sabha, Unstarred Question 441 (DPIIT reply)", "source_type": "official_government", "publication_date": "2025-12-02", "url_reference": "https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/186/AU441_oyPWzK.pdf?source=pqals", "supports": [ "SISFS approvals and disbursements to Bihar incubators, 2023-2025" ] } ] }, { "id": "BIHAR-SU-IND-005", "metric": "Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) loans guaranteed to Bihar startups", "value": 0.28, "unit": "INR crore", "as_of": "2025-10-31", "classification": "official_statistic", "breakdown": { "2023": 0, "2024": 0.28, "2025": 0 }, "note": "Bihar did not appear in the state-wise table of Fund of Funds (FFS) commitments to AIFs for 2023-2025 in the same reply. That table covers commitments to funds, not investments made into startups, which are reported separately.", "sources": [ { "source_id": "ls-441-2025-12-02", "publisher": "Lok Sabha, Unstarred Question 441 (DPIIT reply)", "source_type": "official_government", "publication_date": "2025-12-02", "url_reference": "https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/186/AU441_oyPWzK.pdf?source=pqals", "supports": [ "CGSS loans guaranteed in Bihar by year", "FFS state table without Bihar" ] } ] }, { "id": "BIHAR-SU-IND-007", "metric": "Investment by Fund of Funds-backed AIFs into Bihar startups", "value": 153.68, "unit": "INR crore", "as_of": "2025-01-31", "classification": "official_statistic", "note": "Across 3 Bihar startups. This is a different measure from BIHAR-SU-IND-005's note: that records the absence of Bihar from the table of FFS commitments to funds, while this records investments those funds made into startups located in Bihar. Both are true.", "sources": [ { "source_id": "ls-ffs-bihar-2025-01-31", "publisher": "Lok Sabha (DPIIT reply), Fund of Funds for Startups state-wise investment table", "source_type": "official_government", "publication_date": "2025-01-31", "supports": [ "FFS-backed AIF investment into Bihar startups as on 31 January 2025", "3 Bihar startups covered" ] } ] }, { "id": "BIHAR-SU-IND-006", "metric": "Startups registered under the Bihar Startup Policy in FY2025-26", "value": 109, "unit": "startups", "as_of": "2026-04-06", "classification": "government_claim", "note": "Industries minister's statement; he also said 242 women-driven startups have been approved. In January 2026 the minister said more than 1,500 startups are registered with the state in total.", "sources": [ { "source_id": "toi-2026-04-06-747-proposals", "publisher": "The Times of India", "source_type": "established_news", "publication_date": "2026-04-06", "url_reference": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/747-investment-proposals-worth-rs17217-cr-received-in-last-fiscal-minister/articleshow/130069416.cms", "supports": [ "109 startups registered in 2025-26", "242 women-driven startups approved" ] }, { "source_id": "prabhat-2026-01-17-seed-fund", "publisher": "Prabhat Khabar", "source_type": "established_news", "publication_date": "2026-01-17", "url_reference": "https://www.prabhatkhabar.com/state/bihar/bihar-news-startup-seed-fund-increased-to-25-lakh-industry-minister-dilip-jaiswal", "supports": [ "1,500+ registered startups (minister's claim)", "IIT Patna, CIMP and BAU Sabour ranked top incubation centres" ] } ] } ], "startups": [ { "id": "BIHAR-SU-001", "name": "DeHaat", "legal_name": "Green Agrevolution Private Limited", "sector": "AgriTech", "subcategory": "full_stack_agri_services", "founded_year": 2012, "location": { "state": "Bihar", "country": "India", "city": "Patna" }, "bihar_connection": "headquartered_in_bihar", "founders": [ "Shashank Kumar", "Amrendra Singh", "Adarsh Srivastav", "Shyam Sundar Singh", "Abhishek Dokania" ], "website": "https://agrevolution.in", "description": "Patna-headquartered agritech company offering farmers inputs, advisory, market access and export linkages. It is Bihar's most heavily funded startup, backed by investors including Temasek and Sofina.", "what_is_confirmed": [ "Raised a $60 million Series E in December 2022, co-led by Sofina Ventures and Temasek.", "Raised INR 200 crore in venture debt from Trifecta Capital (April 2025).", "Reported operating revenue of INR 3,010 crore in FY25, up 12% from INR 2,675 crore.", "Reported FY25 net profit of INR 369 crore, driven by a one-time non-cash gain of INR 576 crore.", "Had raised around $222 million in total as of September 2025, according to ET.", "In August 2026 it carved out its Honest Farms consumer brand into DeHaat Consumer Products, which raised INR 35 crore; DeHaat remains the majority shareholder." ], "what_is_not_yet_confirmed": [ "Current valuation (TechCrunch reported over $700 million in 2022)", "A $100 million round listed by PitchBook for October 2024", "Audited FY26 results", "Headcount employed in Bihar", "Which investors led the Series E as against being named as existing backers. The rounds listed here sum to about $221 million, which is consistent with the roughly $222 million total ET reported in September 2025, but Prosus, RTP Global and Lightrock appear in reporting on more than one round and their attribution per round is not firmly established.", "Exact dates within the month for the 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2021 rounds; reporting gives the month only." ], "status": "operating", "latest_update": { "date": "2026-08-17", "detail": "Honest Farms was spun out as DeHaat Consumer Products and raised INR 35 crore in a pre-Series A led by OTP Ventures. It reports monthly sales of about INR 6 crore." }, "funding_rounds": [ { "date": "2019-03", "round": "Pre-Series A", "amount": 4000000, "currency": "USD", "instrument": "equity", "investors": [ "Omnivore", "AgFunder" ], "classification": "closed_investor_statement", "source_ids": [ "dehaat-2019-03-pre-series-a" ] }, { "date": "2020-04", "round": "Series A", "amount": 12000000, "currency": "USD", "instrument": "equity", "investors": [ "Sequoia Capital India", "FMO", "Omnivore", "AgFunder" ], "classification": "closed", "source_ids": [ "dehaat-2020-04-series-a" ] }, { "date": "2021-01", "round": "Series C", "amount": 30000000, "currency": "USD", "instrument": "equity", "investors": [ "Prosus Ventures", "RTP Global" ], "classification": "closed", "source_ids": [ "dehaat-2021-01-series-c" ] }, { "date": "2021-10", "round": "Series D", "amount": 115000000, "currency": "USD", "instrument": "equity", "investors": [ "Sofina Ventures", "Lightrock India", "Temasek" ], "classification": "closed", "source_ids": [ "dehaat-2021-10-series-d" ] }, { "date": "2022-12-01", "round": "Series E", "amount": 60000000, "currency": "USD", "instrument": "equity", "investors": [ "Sofina Ventures", "Temasek" ], "classification": "closed", "source_ids": [ "et-2022-12-01-dehaat-series-e" ] }, { "date": "2025-04-25", "round": "Venture debt", "amount": 2000000000, "currency": "INR", "instrument": "debt", "investors": [ "Trifecta Capital" ], "classification": "closed", "source_ids": [ "inc42-2025-04-25-dehaat-debt" ] }, { "date": "2026-08-17", "round": "Pre-Series A (subsidiary DeHaat Consumer Products / Honest Farms)", "amount": 350000000, "currency": "INR", "instrument": "equity", "investors": [ "OTP Ventures", "Sadev Capital", "Maiuni Ventures" ], "classification": "closed_subsidiary_round", "source_ids": [ "toi-2026-08-17-honest-farms" ] } ], "total_disclosed_funding": { "amount": 222000000, "currency": "USD", "as_of": "2025-09-26", "classification": "approximate_reported_total", "source_ids": [ "et-2025-09-26-dehaat-fy25" ] }, "financials": [ { "fiscal_year": "FY2024-25", "operating_revenue": 30100000000, "net_profit": 3690000000, "currency": "INR", "note": "Profit includes a one-time non-cash fair-value gain of INR 576 crore; FY24 was a INR 1,133 crore loss. Filings sourced via Tofler.", "source_ids": [ "et-2025-09-26-dehaat-fy25" ] } ], "sources": [ { "source_id": "dehaat-2019-03-pre-series-a", "publisher": "Omnivore (investor)", "source_type": "investor_statement", "publication_date": "2019-03-31", "supports": [ "$4 million pre-Series A with Omnivore and AgFunder" ] }, { "source_id": "dehaat-2020-04-series-a", "publisher": "The Economic Times", "source_type": "established_news", "publication_date": "2020-04-30", "supports": [ "$12 million round led by Sequoia Capital India, since renamed Peak XV, with FMO participating" ] }, { "source_id": "dehaat-2021-01-series-c", "publisher": "The Economic Times", "source_type": "established_news", "publication_date": "2021-01-31", "supports": [ "$30 million Series C from Prosus Ventures and RTP Global" ] }, { "source_id": "dehaat-2021-10-series-d", "publisher": "The Economic Times", "source_type": "established_news", "publication_date": "2021-10-31", "supports": [ "$115 million Series D with Sofina, Lightrock and Temasek" ] }, { "source_id": "et-2022-12-01-dehaat-series-e", "publisher": "The Economic Times", "source_type": "established_news", "publication_date": "2022-12-01", "url_reference": "https://m.economictimes.com/tech/funding/dehaat-raises-60-million-in-funding-from-temasek-sofina-ventures-and-others/articleshow/95904741.cms", "supports": [ "$60M Series E", "lead and participating investors" ] }, { "source_id": "inc42-2025-04-25-dehaat-debt", "publisher": "Inc42", "source_type": "established_news", "publication_date": "2025-04-25", "url_reference": "https://inc42.com/buzz/exclusive-dehaat-raises-inr-200-cr-debt-for-geographic-expansion/", "supports": [ "INR 200 crore venture debt from Trifecta Capital" ] }, { "source_id": "et-2025-09-26-dehaat-fy25", "publisher": "The Economic Times", "source_type": "established_news", "publication_date": "2025-09-26", "url_reference": "https://m.economictimes.com/tech/startups/agritech-startup-dehaat-posts-rs-369-crore-profit-in-fy25-trims-costs/articleshow/124163812.cms", "supports": [ "FY25 revenue and profit", "Patna headquarters", "founders", "~$222M raised to date" ] }, { "source_id": "toi-2026-08-17-honest-farms", "publisher": "The Times of India", "source_type": "established_news", "publication_date": "2026-08-17", "url_reference": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/dehaat-carves-out-honest-farms-raises-rs-35-crore/articleshow/133300418.cms", "supports": [ "Honest Farms carve-out", "INR 35 crore pre-Series A", "DeHaat majority ownership" ] } ], "confidence": "very_high" }, { "id": "BIHAR-SU-002", "name": "Husk Power Systems", "sector": "CleanTech", "subcategory": "solar_mini_grids", "founded_year": 2008, "location": { "state": "Bihar", "country": "India" }, "bihar_connection": "founded_in_bihar", "founders": [ "Manoj Sinha" ], "website": "https://www.huskpowersystems.com", "description": "Solar-hybrid mini-grid operator founded in Bihar in 2008. Bloomberg describes it as the world's biggest solar mini-grid operator, with about 400 mini-grids in India and Nigeria. Its CEO is based in the US.", "what_is_confirmed": [ "Founded in Bihar in 2008.", "Raised $20 million in January 2018 for its mini-grid business in Asia and Africa.", "Raised a $103 million Series D in October 2023: $43 million equity and $60 million debt.", "Secured $4 million additional debt from EU-funded ElectriFI in April 2024.", "Had raised $125 million across four funding rounds as of November 2025, per Bloomberg.", "Started a $400 million raise ($150 million equity, $250 million debt) in November 2025, aiming to close by June 2026." ], "what_is_not_yet_confirmed": [ "Whether the $400 million raise has closed", "Number of mini-grids operating in Bihar specifically", "IPO timing (the company targets starting preparation in 2029)", "Sources differ on the founding year: the 2025 Bloomberg-sourced report cited here says 2008, while several other accounts say 2007. Operations and incorporation may carry separate dates. We keep 2008 because it is the year the source on this record states.", "Named investors in the January 2018 round. The source reports the amount without naming participants." ], "status": "operating", "status_detail": "Founded in Bihar but not headquartered there; most new expansion is in Nigeria and other African markets.", "latest_update": { "date": "2025-11-26", "detail": "Launched a $400 million capital raise to grow revenue tenfold by 2030. No closing announcement was found as of 30 September 2026." }, "funding_rounds": [ { "date": "2018-01-16", "round": "Growth round", "amount": 20000000, "currency": "USD", "instrument": "undisclosed", "investors": [], "classification": "closed", "source_ids": [ "et-2018-01-16-husk-20m" ] }, { "date": "2023-10-24", "round": "Series D", "amount": 103000000, "currency": "USD", "instrument": "equity_and_debt", "investors": [ "STOA Infra & Energy", "US International Development Finance Corporation", "Proparco", "Shell Ventures", "Swedfund", "FMO" ], "classification": "closed", "source_ids": [ "tc-2023-10-24-husk-series-d", "axios-2023-10-24-husk" ] }, { "date": "2024-04-15", "round": "Debt", "amount": 4000000, "currency": "USD", "instrument": "debt", "investors": [ "ElectriFI" ], "classification": "closed", "source_ids": [ "et-2024-04-15-husk-electrifi" ] }, { "date": "2025-11-26", "round": "Planned raise", "amount": 400000000, "currency": "USD", "instrument": "equity_and_debt", "investors": [], "classification": "announced_target_not_closed", "source_ids": [ "et-2025-11-26-husk-400m" ] } ], "total_disclosed_funding": { "amount": 125000000, "currency": "USD", "as_of": "2025-11-26", "classification": "reported_total_four_rounds", "source_ids": [ "et-2025-11-26-husk-400m" ] }, "sources": [ { "source_id": "et-2018-01-16-husk-20m", "publisher": "The Economic Times", "source_type": "established_news", "publication_date": "2018-01-16", "url_reference": "https://m.economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/power/husk-power-raises-20-mn-for-its-mini-grid-business/articleshow/62521671.cms", "supports": [ "$20M raise in 2018" ] }, { "source_id": "tc-2023-10-24-husk-series-d", "publisher": "TechCrunch", "source_type": "established_news", "publication_date": "2023-10-24", "url_reference": "https://techcrunch.com/2023/10/24/new-solar-mini-grids-in-africa-to-be-powered-by-husk-power-systems-103m-series-d/", "supports": [ "$103M Series D in equity and debt" ] }, { "source_id": "axios-2023-10-24-husk", "publisher": "Axios Pro", "source_type": "established_news", "publication_date": "2023-10-24", "url_reference": "https://www.axios.com/pro/climate-deals/2023/10/24/husk-power-mini-grids", "supports": [ "$43M equity led by STOA, DFC and Proparco with Shell Ventures, Swedfund and FMO" ] }, { "source_id": "et-2024-04-15-husk-electrifi", "publisher": "The Economic Times", "source_type": "established_news", "publication_date": "2024-04-15", "url_reference": "https://m.economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/sme-sector/electrifi-doubles-down-on-husk-power-systems-with-4-mn-investment-accelerates-clean-energy-access/articleshow/109312022.cms", "supports": [ "$4M debt from ElectriFI" ] }, { "source_id": "et-2025-11-26-husk-400m", "publisher": "ETEnergyWorld / Bloomberg", "source_type": "established_news", "publication_date": "2025-11-26", "url_reference": "https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/husk-power-systems-aims-for-400-million-funding-to-achieve-10-fold-revenue-growth-by-2030/125581449", "supports": [ "founded in Bihar in 2008", "$400M raise plan", "$125M raised across four rounds", "~400 mini-grids in India and Nigeria" ] } ], "confidence": "very_high" }, { "id": "BIHAR-SU-003", "name": "RodBez", "sector": "Mobility", "subcategory": "intercity_taxi_booking", "founded_year": null, "location": { "state": "Bihar", "country": "India", "city": "Saharsa" }, "bihar_connection": "headquartered_in_bihar", "founders": [ "Dilkhush Kumar", "Siddharth Shankar Jha" ], "description": "Taxi booking platform for intercity and village trips in Bihar. It featured on Shark Tank India Season 3, where the founders said the business was earning about INR 8 lakh a month in commission fees.", "what_is_confirmed": [ "Accepted an on-air offer from Ritesh Agarwal and Vineeta Singh on Shark Tank India Season 3: INR 20 lakh for 5% equity plus INR 30 lakh debt at 12% interest.", "Before the show, an investing firm had invested at an INR 4 crore valuation (amount not stated).", "The founders said on the show that the business earned about INR 8 lakh a month in commission fees." ], "what_is_not_yet_confirmed": [ "Whether the Shark Tank deal closed after the show", "Amount raised before the show", "Current revenue and trip volumes", "Founding year" ], "status": "operating_unverified", "status_detail": "No 2025-2026 reporting located on current operations.", "funding_rounds": [ { "date": "2024-02-13", "round": "Shark Tank India S3 offer", "amount": 5000000, "currency": "INR", "instrument": "equity_and_debt", "investors": [ "Ritesh Agarwal", "Vineeta Singh" ], "classification": "on_air_offer_closure_unconfirmed", "source_ids": [ "ie-2024-02-13-rodbez" ] } ], "total_disclosed_funding": null, "sources": [ { "source_id": "ie-2024-02-13-rodbez", "publisher": "The Indian Express", "source_type": "established_news", "publication_date": "2024-02-13", "url_reference": "https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/shark-tank-india-3-rodbez-pitch-ritesh-agarwal-vineeta-singh-9158811/", "supports": [ "Shark Tank offer terms", "INR 4 crore prior valuation", "INR 8 lakh monthly commission claim" ] }, { "source_id": "zeebiz-2024-01-25-rodbez", "publisher": "Zee Business", "source_type": "established_news", "publication_date": "2024-01-25", "url_reference": "https://www.zeebiz.com/hindi/small-business/shark-tank-india-3-success-story-of-startup-rodbez-and-founder-dilkhush-kumar-know-how-10th-pass-person-made-ola-ubar-of-bihar-157331", "supports": [ "startup is from Saharsa, Bihar" ] } ], "confidence": "high" }, { "id": "BIHAR-SU-004", "name": "JhaJi Store", "sector": "D2C Food", "subcategory": "packaged_foods_ecommerce", "founded_year": 2021, "location": { "state": "Bihar", "country": "India", "city": "Darbhanga" }, "bihar_connection": "headquartered_in_bihar", "founders": [ "Kalpana Jha", "Uma Jha" ], "website": "https://www.jhajistore.com", "description": "Women-led online brand selling Mithila-style homemade pickles, run from a kitchen-factory in Laheriasarai, Darbhanga. It got no deal on Shark Tank India Season 1 but later raised angel funding that included two of the show's investors.", "what_is_confirmed": [ "Founded in March 2021 by Kalpana Jha and Uma Jha.", "Received revenue-based financing from Velocity in January 2022 (amount undisclosed).", "Closed an angel round of INR 1.3 crore from 25 angel investors, including an INR 85 lakh cheque in which Vineeta Singh and Namita Thapar took part (company statement, January 2023).", "Vineeta Singh and Namita Thapar visited the Darbhanga factory and offered to invest (NDTV)." ], "what_is_not_yet_confirmed": [ "Revenue figures (company-stated sales figures are not independently verified)", "Any funding after 2023" ], "status": "operating_unverified", "funding_rounds": [ { "date": "2022-01-22", "round": "Revenue-based financing", "amount": null, "currency": "INR", "instrument": "revenue_based_financing", "investors": [ "Velocity" ], "classification": "closed_amount_undisclosed", "source_ids": [ "velocity-2022-01-22-jhaji" ] }, { "date": "2023-01-20", "round": "Angel", "amount": 13000000, "currency": "INR", "instrument": "equity", "investors": [ "Jharkhand Angels Network", "Karekeba Ventures", "SIA Angel Network", "Vineeta Singh", "Namita Thapar" ], "classification": "closed_company_statement", "source_ids": [ "jhaji-2023-01-20-fundraise", "ndtv-2023-01-03-shark-tank" ] } ], "total_disclosed_funding": null, "sources": [ { "source_id": "velocity-2022-01-22-jhaji", "publisher": "Velocity (investor)", "source_type": "investor_statement", "publication_date": "2022-01-22", "url_reference": "https://www.velocity.in/blog/2022/01/22/after-not-getting-any-deal-on-sharktank-jhaji-pickle-gets-funded-through-velocity/", "supports": [ "revenue-based financing", "founded March 2021 in Darbhanga" ] }, { "source_id": "jhaji-2023-01-20-fundraise", "publisher": "JhaJi Store (company)", "source_type": "company_statement", "publication_date": "2023-01-20", "url_reference": "https://www.jhajistore.com/blogs/news/announcing-fundraise-shark-tank-india", "supports": [ "INR 1.3 crore angel round from 25 investors", "INR 85 lakh cheque with Shark Tank investors" ] }, { "source_id": "ndtv-2023-01-03-shark-tank", "publisher": "NDTV", "source_type": "established_news", "publication_date": "2023-01-03", "url_reference": "https://www.ndtv.com/offbeat/jhaji-pickle-sneakare-memorable-shark-tank-india-pitches-from-season-1-3660636", "supports": [ "Vineeta Singh and Namita Thapar visited the Darbhanga factory and offered to invest" ] } ], "confidence": "high" }, { "id": "BIHAR-SU-005", "name": "Agrix", "sector": "AgriTech", "subcategory": "farming_as_a_service", "founded_year": null, "location": { "state": "Bihar", "country": "India" }, "bihar_connection": "headquartered_in_bihar", "founders": [ "Nilay Pandey", "Saurav Kumar Singh", "Vivek Kumar" ], "description": "Bihar-headquartered farming-as-a-service company that groups smallholder farms into clusters to provide mechanisation, inputs, advisory and market linkages.", "what_is_confirmed": [ "Upaya Social Ventures announced an investment in November 2025 from its Pool of Recoverable Grants (its 45th such investment).", "Upaya describes Agrix as headquartered in Bihar." ], "what_is_not_yet_confirmed": [ "Amount of the Upaya investment", "Earlier rounds listed in databases (Inc42 Datalabs lists $205.9K across three rounds up to January 2023)", "Number of farmers served", "City of headquarters" ], "status": "operating", "funding_rounds": [ { "date": "2025-11-27", "round": "Recoverable grant", "amount": null, "currency": "INR", "instrument": "recoverable_grant", "investors": [ "Upaya Social Ventures" ], "classification": "closed_amount_undisclosed", "source_ids": [ "upaya-2025-11-27-agrix" ] } ], "total_disclosed_funding": null, "sources": [ { "source_id": "upaya-2025-11-27-agrix", "publisher": "Upaya Social Ventures (investor)", "source_type": "investor_statement", "publication_date": "2025-11-27", "url_reference": "https://upayasv.squarespace.com/blog/2025/27/11/upaya-invests-in-agrix", "supports": [ "investment announcement", "Bihar headquarters", "founders", "business model" ] }, { "source_id": "inc42-datalabs-agrix", "publisher": "Inc42 Datalabs", "source_type": "commercial_database", "publication_date": "2026-05-28", "url_reference": "https://inc42.com/company/agrix/", "supports": [ "database-listed earlier funding (unverified)" ] } ], "confidence": "medium" }, { "id": "BIHAR-SU-006", "name": "EnglishYaari", "sector": "EdTech", "subcategory": "spoken_english_coaching", "founded_year": 2021, "location": { "state": "Bihar", "country": "India", "city": "Lakhisarai" }, "bihar_connection": "headquartered_in_bihar", "founders": [ "Vikas Gupta", "Piyush Shekhar", "Sandeep Kumar Singh" ], "description": "Online 1-on-1 spoken English coaching platform started in 2021 by three students of MIT Muzaffarpur.", "what_is_confirmed": [ "The company announced an INR 1 crore raise at an INR 10 crore valuation from Mumbai-based HNI investors (press release, 23 December 2025).", "Co-founded in 2021 while the founders were students at MIT Muzaffarpur." ], "what_is_not_yet_confirmed": [ "Investor names", "Revenue (the company states a target of INR 50 crore ARR by 2027)", "Independent news confirmation of the round" ], "status": "operating", "funding_rounds": [ { "date": "2025-12-23", "round": "Angel / HNI", "amount": 10000000, "currency": "INR", "instrument": "equity", "investors": [ "Mumbai-based HNI investors (unnamed)" ], "classification": "company_announced", "source_ids": [ "prn-2025-12-23-englishyaari" ] } ], "total_disclosed_funding": null, "sources": [ { "source_id": "prn-2025-12-23-englishyaari", "publisher": "PR Newswire (company press release)", "source_type": "company_statement", "publication_date": "2025-12-23", "url_reference": "https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/conversational-english-improvement-startup-englishyaari-secures-1-crore-funding-at-10-crore-valuation-bihar-startup-founders-plan-scaling-to-50-cr-arr-by-2027-302648651.html", "supports": [ "INR 1 crore at INR 10 crore valuation", "Lakhisarai base", "ARR target" ] }, { "source_id": "yourstory-2025-06-23-englishyaari", "publisher": "YourStory", "source_type": "established_news", "publication_date": "2025-06-23", "url_reference": "https://yourstory.com/2025/06/englishyaari-startup-journey", "supports": [ "founded 2021 at MIT Muzaffarpur", "co-founders" ] } ], "confidence": "medium" }, { "id": "BIHAR-SU-007", "name": "Saptkrishi Scientific (Sabjikothi)", "legal_name": "Saptkrishi Scientific Pvt. Ltd.", "sector": "AgriTech", "subcategory": "post_harvest_storage", "founded_year": null, "location": { "state": "Bihar", "country": "India", "city": "Bhagalpur" }, "bihar_connection": "headquartered_in_bihar", "founders": [ "Nikky Kumar Jha" ], "description": "Bhagalpur agritech company behind Sabjikothi, a portable microclimate store that extends the shelf life of fruit and vegetables for small vendors and farmers.", "what_is_confirmed": [ "Named among the top 10 winning teams of the 2021 S.O.L.V.E.D. challenge (government-published winners list)." ], "what_is_not_yet_confirmed": [ "Any external funding round", "Units deployed", "Current operating status" ], "status": "operating_unverified", "funding_rounds": [], "total_disclosed_funding": null, "sources": [ { "source_id": "pib-2021-08-12-solved-winners", "publisher": "Press Information Bureau (S.O.L.V.E.D. challenge winners list)", "source_type": "official_government", "publication_date": "2021-08-12", "url_reference": "https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2021/aug/doc202181221.pdf", "supports": [ "Bhagalpur founder", "portable preservatory product", "challenge winner" ] } ], "confidence": "high" }, { "id": "BIHAR-SU-008", "name": "Origins Tribe", "legal_name": "Origins Tribe Private Limited", "sector": "D2C Sustainability", "subcategory": "eco_friendly_consumer_products", "founded_year": null, "location": { "state": "Bihar", "country": "India", "city": "Patna" }, "bihar_connection": "headquartered_in_bihar", "founders": [ "Rishabh", "Vishwajeet" ], "description": "Patna company making plantable pens and pencils from recycled paper, bamboo bottles and neem-wood combs, started about three years before February 2026.", "what_is_confirmed": [ "News18 reported in February 2026 that the founder puts annual turnover at around INR 1.5 crore." ], "what_is_not_yet_confirmed": [ "Turnover from filings", "Any external funding" ], "status": "operating", "funding_rounds": [], "total_disclosed_funding": null, "sources": [ { "source_id": "news18-2026-02-23-origins-tribe", "publisher": "News18", "source_type": "established_news", "publication_date": "2026-02-23", "url_reference": "https://www.news18.com/cities/patna-news/he-plants-a-pen-and-it-grows-coriander-how-patna-founder-built-rs-1-5-crore-green-venture-ws-kl-9924904.html", "supports": [ "company, founders and products", "founder-stated turnover" ] } ], "confidence": "medium" }, { "id": "BIHAR-SU-009", "name": "Subrat Shandilya compact jet engine project", "sector": "DeepTech", "subcategory": "aerospace_propulsion", "founded_year": null, "location": { "state": "Bihar", "country": "India", "city": "Nalanda" }, "bihar_connection": "headquartered_in_bihar", "founders": [ "Subrat Shandilya" ], "description": "Nalanda aerospace engineer Subrat Shandilya's project to build an indigenous compact jet engine prototype. The Industries Department approved it for seed funding under the Bihar Startup Policy 2022 on 31 August 2026.", "what_is_confirmed": [ "Approved for seed funding under the Bihar Startup Policy 2022 after a presentation in Patna on 31 August 2026.", "INR 10 lakh seed funding is to be released in two instalments.", "Further support of INR 25 lakh after a successful prototype test and up to INR 50 lakh later is provided for, up to INR 85 lakh in total.", "Documents must be submitted for verification within three months before funding proceeds." ], "what_is_not_yet_confirmed": [ "Registered company name (the team's separate RC-aircraft effort is called 'Beyond Mach')", "Disbursement of the first instalment", "Prototype build or test", "The planned factory near Rajgir" ], "status": "operating", "status_detail": "Approved for funding; disbursement depends on document verification.", "latest_update": { "date": "2026-08-31", "detail": "Project approved for Bihar Startup Policy seed funding." }, "funding_rounds": [ { "date": "2026-08-31", "round": "Bihar Startup Policy seed fund", "amount": 1000000, "currency": "INR", "instrument": "government_seed_loan", "investors": [ "Department of Industries, Bihar" ], "classification": "sanctioned_not_disbursed", "source_ids": [ "nbt-2026-09-01-jet-engine" ] } ], "total_disclosed_funding": null, "sources": [ { "source_id": "nbt-2026-09-01-jet-engine", "publisher": "Navbharat Times", "source_type": "established_news", "publication_date": "2026-09-01", "url_reference": "https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/state/bihar/nalanda/bihar-government-approved-nalanda-aerospace-engineer-subrat-shandilya-s-compact-jet-engine-project/articleshow/133686709.cms", "supports": [ "seed funding approval", "INR 10 lakh in two instalments", "staged support up to INR 85 lakh", "three-month document verification" ] }, { "source_id": "lh-2026-09-01-jet-engine", "publisher": "Live Hindustan", "source_type": "established_news", "publication_date": "2026-09-01", "url_reference": "https://www.livehindustan.com/national/story-bihar-government-approves-indigenous-jet-engine-prototype-project-201788282328738.html", "supports": [ "project approval" ] } ], "confidence": "high" } ] }