‘AgLive 2023: The Millet Challenge,’ a Pitch Session for Millets-Based Startups, Organised at PUSA Campus

The 'AgLive 2023 - The Millet Challenge,' conducted on March 18 as part of the Global Shree Anna Conference in New Delhi, aimed to having an effect by enhancing contact among millet-based innovators/entrepreneurs, investors, and other stakeholders, addressed concerns and difficulties particular to millets.

Youth entrepreneurs and innovators presented their millet-based breakthrough goods and technologies to a prestigious Jury comprised of business leaders, incubators, and investors in order to secure funding and prospective incubation possibilities.

S Sivakumar, Chairman of the CII Core Group on AgTech and Group Head, Agri & IT Businesses, ITC Ltd; Dr. Neeru Bhooshan, Assistant Director General, Intellectual Property & Technology Management (IP&TM) ICAR; Prashant Parameswaran, Managing Director, Tata Consumer Soulfull Private Ltd; Subhadeep Sanyal, Partner, Omnivore Partners; Emmanuel Murray, Investment Director Caspian Impact Investment; Gaurav Kumar, Director, Mandala Capital; Dr Mijanur Rahman, Director, R&D, PepsiCo; Mahima Joshi, Senior Portfolio Analyst, Social Alpha; Rohit Dhanda, AVP, Capital Markets & Strategic Alliance, Samunnati Financial Intermediation & Services Pvt. Ltd and Jagdeep Marahar, Managing Director and Head, Nestle R&D Centre India Pvt Ltd were eminent members of the Jury.

Ten innovators were chosen from a pool of 50 candidates and evaluated on criteria such as idea innovation, product reach and scope, and financial stability, among others.

AgroZee Organics Pvt Ltd, the winner, focuses on offering a cost-effective and sustainable post-harvest storage solution for Farmers, Farmer Producer Companies, SHGs, and Entrepreneurs in order to optimise moisture content and insect elimination in millets.

The first runner-up, Some More Foods Pvt. Ltd, focuses on supplying nutritious functional food derived from millets by replacing unhealthy elements in popular food products like as noodles, pasta, sevai, cookies, and so on with healthier ones.

Grans' Goodness, the second runner-up, is a developing Made in India food company that provides health-conscious consumers with millet-based, healthful, and nutritious cuisine.