India’s First On-Farm Venture Building Program

Anyone committed to building agricultural ventures. We welcome:

• First-time founders with domain expertise or technical skills
• Second-time entrepreneurs seeking impact in agriculture
• Engineers/developers wanting purposeful work
• Farmers/FPO operators ready to scale solutions
• Corporate professionals transitioning to entrepreneurship Domain experts

No age limit. No degree requirement. No prior startup experience required.

What matters: hunger to build, willingness to learn, and 4-month commitment.

We provide founders with validated opportunities and clear blueprints to build ventures across critical agricultural sectors.

These are not vague problem areas. Each opportunity is grounded in real market frictions with quantified demand, clearly identified customers, proven pain points, and a defined blueprint for venture creation. Founders enter the program to execute, refine, and build.

You can also bring your own idea if it’s agriculture-focused and addresses a real problem. We’ll help you validate it.

Yes, in two scenarios:

Scenario 1: You're in agriculture/allied sectors

If you run a small agri-business, MSME, or SME (farming, agri-inputs, food processing, rural services), you're welcome. We work with farmer-entrepreneurs, rural service providers, and agri-businesses ready to formalize and scale.

Scenario 2: You're outside agriculture

If you run a non-agri business (IT, consulting, retail, etc.) but want to co-found an agricultural venture, you can apply. Your current business provides a runway; you bring transferable skills.

Case-by-case evaluation:

If you have a side project, informal farmer tests, or are pivoting significantly—apply and explain your situation, traction, and how you'll manage the time commitment.

Bottom line: We're flexible if you're genuinely committed to building in agriculture and can dedicate the time.

Yes. Existing co-founder teams are welcome. You’ll both need to apply individually and mention each other in your applications.

Important: We don’t guarantee both co-founders will be selected. We might select one and not the other, or suggest team reformation during the program based on skill complementarity.

If you’re accepted as a team, you’ll jointly hold one venture slot (not two separate ventures).

Very. Single-digit acceptance rate (~3-6% based on expected volume).

But we're not looking for perfect resumes. We are looking for evidence of building. If you've made something (code, products, teams, solutions), you have a real shot. If you can show evidence of making things happen (in any domain), you have a real shot.

Yes. We run this program annually. If you’re not selected this year but continue building and learning, you’re welcome to reapply next year. Many successful founders were rejected multiple times before getting in.

We keep records of past applicants and note improvements/evolution.

No. We’ve considered founders from 18 to 55 in past programs. What matters is your ability to commit 4 months and your hunger to build.

If you’re 18+ and have built impressive projects, welcome. If you’re even 50+ and pivoting from a corporate career to agriculture, welcome. Age is irrelevant.

Total Duration: 4 months (April-August)

Mandatory In-Person:

• April (1 month): Fully residential in Nashik. No exceptions. Accommodation and meals provided.
• May-July (3 months): Hybrid. You can choose:
  • Option A: Stay in Nashik (free accommodation, free meals, daily workspace access)
  • Option B: Work remotely from your city (online mentoring clinics, weekly check-ins)
• Mandatory for both: Monthly “Huddles” in Nashik (in-person field visits, masterclasses, 2-3 days per month)

Bottom line: You must be in Nashik full-time for April. May-July is flexible but requires periodic in-person attendance.

April (Residential Bootcamp):

• Week 1: Deep-dive into opportunity areas, farm visits, farmer interviews, Flagship Farm truth program
• Week 2: Co-founder matching, team formation exercises, problem selection
• Week 3: Prototype development, initial farmer testing, legal entity formation
• Week 4: Business model refinement, pitch practice, pilot planning

May-July (Hybrid Building):

• Launch pilots with farmers
• Test product-market fit
• Iterate based on feedback
• Build initial traction (revenue, users, or partnerships)
• Weekly mentor check-ins
• Monthly in-person Huddles

August:

• Demo Day preparation
• Investor pitch refinement
• Final presentations
• Fundraising conversations

Primary Location: Sahyadri Farms On-Farm Incubation Center, Nashik, Maharashtra

Facilities:

• 17,000 sq ft modern workspace (high-speed internet, V-con rooms, presentation spaces)
• 20-acre R&D farms for testing
• Soil testing lab, bio labs, tissue culture facilities
• Access to Sahyadri’s pack houses, cold storage, processing units
• Residential accommodation (shared rooms, modern amenities)
• Dining facility (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Why Nashik? Short answer: India’s horticulture capital, ₹2000cr FPO ecosystem, 30,000+ farmer network, government AgriTech testbed.

Infrastructure:

• Workspace + labs + R&D farms
• Accommodation (April free, May-July optional and free)
• Meals (April free, May-July subsidized)

Access:

• 30,000+ farmer network for testing
• Sahyadri’s value chain (pack houses, cold storage, export logistics)
• Partner ecosystem (ThinkAg, Social Alpha, Digital Impact Square, A TCS Foundation Initiatives)

Expertise:

• Practitioner mentors (FPO CEOs, supply chain heads, agri-investors)
• One investor mentor per venture (mandatory)
• One domain expert per venture (mandatory)
• One farmer representative per venture (mandatory)

Services:

• Legal support (company incorporation, compliance)
• Design guidance (branding, product, pitch decks)
• Investor introductions
• Potential ₹50-150L direct investment

Not necessarily. We need diverse skills:

• Technical founders: Build the product/platform
• Domain experts: Ensure relevance and farmer adoption
• Business operators: Drive finance, sales, ops, partnerships
• Designers: Create user experiences

If you’re non-technical, we’ll help you find technical co-founders during the program. The best agricultural ventures blend tech + domain + ops expertise.

You’ll choose, not be assigned.

Process:

• Week 1: We present all validated opportunities in depth (market size, frictions, signals, potential solutions)
• Week 1-2: You explore opportunities through farm visits, farmer interviews, and mentor sessions
• Week 2: You rank your top 3 preferences based on interest, skill fit, and team potential
• Week 2: Co-founder discovery happens based on complementary skills and shared opportunity interest
• End of Week 2: Teams form around chosen opportunities

You have agency. We facilitate, not dictate.

Co-founders own the majority of their venture. Here’s the typical cap table:

• Founders (typically 2-3 co-founders): 70-90%
• Agri Founders Field: 8-10%
• Future investors (if you raise): Remaining equity

The exact split among co-founders is decided by the team based on contribution, role, and agreement. We don’t dictate internal founder splits.

Our 8-10% is common stock (same class as founders), with no liquidation preference or blocking rights. We’re aligned with you, not above you.

During the program: Zero cash directly. We provide:

• Infrastructure worth ₹50-70L (workspace, labs, farmer access, mentorship)
• Accommodation + meals during bootcamp
• Legal and compliance facilitation support

After the program:

• Access to investor network at Demo Day for fundraising.

Investment depends on: Traction, team strength, and Execution

Bottom line: We don’t hand out cash upfront. We provide resources to build. Investment comes when execution is demonstrated.

Minimum (every venture):

• Legally incorporated company
• Co-founder team (2-3 people with complementary skills)
• Validated problem and initial solution
• Tested prototype or MVP
• Farmer feedback and iteration learnings
• Initial traction (pilots, pre-orders, partnerships, or early revenue)
• Investor-ready pitch deck
• Network of mentors, investors, and farmer partners

Best case (top ventures):

• Investor commitments from Demo Day
• Paying customers or revenue
• Partnership agreements with FPOs or corporates
• Clear path to scale

Failure is part of entrepreneurship. We don’t penalize you for trying.

If your venture shuts down:

• We don’t claw back our equity (it becomes worthless like yours)
• We don’t sue or demand repayment
• We stay in touch and support your next venture

Our philosophy: We’re partners in risk. If you fail, we fail together. If you succeed, we succeed together. Many successful founders failed multiple times before winning. We respect the journey.

After August Demo Day:

• You decide where to operate your venture
• If your solution is Nashik-specific (e.g., grape value chain), you might stay
• If your solution is pan-India, you might move to Bengaluru, Pune, or wherever makes sense

We don’t require you to:

• Stay in Nashik
• Continue working from our facility
• Report to us regularly

But we offer:

• Continued mentor access (on-demand)
• Workspace access if you’re in Nashik
• Network introductions as you scale
• Support for follow-on fundraising

You’re independent. We’re your long-term partners, not your bosses.

No. Zero application fee. We don’t charge to review your application.

No cash fee. We're offering equity partnership instead.

Here's how it works:

• You and your co-founders will own 80-90% of the venture we build together
• We take 8-10% as your building partner
• The remaining equity is reserved for future investors and team members

No. We don’t provide cash stipends.

What we provide:

• Free accommodation during April
• Free meals during April
• Free/subsidized accommodation + meals during May-July (if staying in Nashik)
• Workspace access

What you need to cover:

• Personal living expenses (if working remotely May-July)
• Travel to/from Nashik
• Any prototype development costs beyond basic support

Assumption: You have 4 months of personal runway. If not, consider savings, part-time remote work (May-July only, not during April), family support, or personal loans.

We’re not paying you to join. You’re investing your time because you believe in the opportunity.

April: Yes, to Nashik for 1 month (accommodation & food provided)

May-July: Your choice (remote or stay in Nashik)

After Demo Day: Hybrid / Optional

For Selection Bootcamp (mid-March, 2 days):

• You need to come to Nashik
• We provide accommodation + meals
• You cover travel costs

No. In fact, we provide you access to investment during the program.

Ideal: You’re pre-funding, exploring ideas, ready to build from scratch

Acceptable: You have angel investors or small grants, but no institutional VC funding.

Not ideal: You’re already Series A funded with a large team. This program is for venture formation, not scaling.

Immediate (August-September):

• Demo Day investor meetings continue
• Partnership discussions finalize
• Funding rounds close (for those who raised)
• Ventures launch publicly or continue pilots

3-6 months out:

• You’re operating independently
• We stay connected as equity partners
• Continued mentor access
• Network support for hiring, partnerships, follow-on funding

Long-term:

• We’re on your cap table forever (or until exit/acquisition)
• We participate in future funding rounds (pro-rata rights)
• We celebrate your success or support pivots/shutdowns
• You join our alumni network and mentor future cohorts

No. We accept founders globally.

BUT:

• You must be able to legally work in India
• You must relocate to Nashik for April (and potentially May-July)
• Your venture must focus on Indian agriculture (we can’t support solutions for other markets)

Visa support: We don’t provide visa sponsorship. If you need a visa, you’re responsible for obtaining it.

Technically: Yes, there’s no legal lock-in.

Realistically: It’s highly discouraged.

If you leave:

• You forfeit any equity structure we set up
• You lose access to resources, mentors, and farmer network
• Your co-founders are left stranded
• You damage your reputation for future programs

Before applying, ask yourself: Can you commit 4 months full-time (especially April)? If the answer is “maybe” or “I’ll see how it goes,” please don’t apply. Apply only if you’re all-in.

Yes. Here’s how:

• During the program: Investor mentor assigned to each venture, Pitch refinement with investor lens, Demo Day preparation (August)
• At Demo Day: Pitch to 20-30 investors (VCs, angels, impact funds, CSR Grants etc), One-on-one investor meetings, Live Q&A sessions.
• Post Demo Day: Warm introductions to relevant investors, Support for follow-on fundraising, Participation in your future rounds (pro-rata), Network access to corporate partners and grant programs

We don’t guarantee funding. But we give you the best shot by connecting you to the right investors and helping you tell your story compellingly.

April (Residential Month): We strongly discourage leaving Nashik. This month is intensive—you’ll miss critical team-building moments if you leave.

Emergency exceptions: We understand that unforeseen events might happen. Family emergencies and health issues will always be treated with empathy and flexibility.

Family visits: Allowed on weekends. They’ll need to arrange their own accommodation (we can suggest nearby hotels).

May-July (Hybrid Period): Full flexibility. Work remotely, visit home, or stay in Nashik—your choice.

April: No. Full-time commitment required.

Our advice: If you can’t go all-in for 4 months, wait until you can. Half-commitment leads to half-results.

Yes. We actively welcome:

• Women founders (we track gender diversity metrics)
• First-generation entrepreneurs (no family business background required)
• Rural founders (farmers, FPO operators, village entrepreneurs)
• Non-English speakers (we provide translation support if needed)
• Different socioeconomic backgrounds (no wealth requirement)

Accessibility:

• Our facility is wheelchair accessible
• We accommodate dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, allergies)
• We provide mental health support through counselors

What we don’t tolerate: Discrimination (caste, gender, religion, language), Harassment or bullying, Elitism or condescension toward farmers.

We’re building an inclusive ecosystem. If you’ve faced barriers elsewhere, you’re especially welcome here.

Visa: You’re responsible for obtaining your own visa. We don’t provide visa sponsorship or invitation letters (we’re not set up as a legal entity for this yet).

Logistics support: If you’re accepted, we can:

• Suggest immigration lawyers
• Connect you with past international participants (if any)
• Provide program documentation for your visa application

Recommendation: Apply for a Business Visa or Long-Term Tourist Visa (6-month validity).

Accommodation:

• Shared rooms
• AC, Wi-Fi, basic furniture
• Shared bathrooms (clean, modern)
• Laundry facilities

Workspace:

• 17,000 sq ft open layout
• High-speed internet (100 Mbps+)
• V-con rooms for calls
• Meeting rooms, whiteboarding spaces
• 24/7 access

Dining:

• Cafeteria-style meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• Vegetarian options

Nearby: Grocery stores, pharmacies (2 km), Hospitals (2 km), Nashik city center (20 km), Airports (5 km), railway station (30 km).

Not a resort, not a hostel. Simple clean space made for productivity. Come to build, not to take a break.

Medical:

• Fully equipped first-aid kits available across the campus.
• In-house doctor available on campus until 8:00 PM.
• Tie-up with a nearby hospital located within 2 km for consultations and emergency care.
• 24/7 ambulance service available on campus for immediate emergency response.

Wellness:

• Mental health counselor available (virtual sessions)
• Stress management workshops
• Peer support groups
• Outdoor spaces for walks, exercise, gym within campus, Squash court etc.

Health insurance: Not provided. You’re responsible for your own health insurance during the program.

If an emergency occurs:

• Notify program coordinators immediately
• We pause your program participation
• You can leave and return (within reason)

We accommodate: Family emergencies (hospitalization, death), Personal health crises, Unforeseen life events.

We don’t accommodate: “I changed my mind”, “I got a job offer”, “This is harder than I thought”.

Emergencies are real and unpredictable. Quitting because you’re uncomfortable is different. We’ll support the former, not the latter.

April (Residential): Very difficult. This month requires in-person, full-time presence. If you have caregiving responsibilities, this might not be the right time.

May-July (Hybrid): We strongly encourage participants to co-locate in Nashik to be part of the cohort and stay closely connected to the ecosystem. At the same time, the program remains hybrid-friendly May onwards, allowing founders to continue building remotely.

Expectations include (Hybrid):

• Weekly mandatory sessions (program reviews, learning blocks, execution check-ins)
• Regular mentoring sessions (virtual or in-person, as scheduled)
• Monthly in-person huddles in Nashik for deep work, alignment, and ecosystem engagement

We’re supportive but realistic. Building a venture is demanding. If you’re stretched too thin, neither your venture nor your family will get what they need.

Yes. After the first 4 weeks (end of April residential bootcamp), we conduct a milestone evaluation.

Teams are assessed on:

• Co-founder dynamics and team cohesion
• Progress on prototype/MVP
• Farmer validation and market understanding
• Commitment and execution quality

Expected outcome: 60-80% of teams continue to the hybrid phase (May-July). Teams that aren't gaining traction or where founders aren't fully committed will exit the program.

Why: By Week 4, it's clear which teams are working. Better to make honest calls early than string founders along. Those who exit get candid feedback and can reapply in future cohorts.

Bottom line: High-intensity program = milestone-based progression. We invest deeper in ventures with real potential.