Guwahati: Agri-entrepreneurs from Assam today proposed new business ideas to investors, which had the potential to get investment in agri and allied sectors.

10 entrepreneurs today pitched their ideas at a programme christened “Pitching and Demo Day", organised by Assam Agribusiness Growth Lab. The lab is an APART-led acceleration program for assisting agribusiness and allied enterprises.

In the last year, 25 enterprises including 9 women-led enterprises from 11 districts of Assam, were assisted in developing new products and services that create opportunities for business growth.

The project is in partnership with CIIE.CO, IIM Ahmedabad’s incubator, and completed one year today.

Stakeholders from government agencies, financial bodies, investors, and buyers attended the program to listen to and encourage the business pitches of 10 of the entrepreneurs. It also included the industry stalwarts from DIC, NEDFi, NRL, NABARD, HDFC Bank, North East Small Finance Bank, CII, FINER, SELCO Foundation, Department of Fisheries, Department of Agriculture, ARIAS Society, World Veg, World Fish, and IRRI, among others.

The pitches were on upscaling businesses and navigating the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in terms of regulating cash flow, strengthening the supply chain, customer acquisition, maintaining unit economics and financial hygiene, and quality assurance, while resolving a business problem with innovation and technology infusion.

These were made before a group of reputed investors representing agencies as diverse as Menterra, Caspian, NEDFi, NRL, HDFC Bank, AGVB, etc. showing potential for immense investment opportunities in the agri and allied sector in Assam.

Dr. Ashish Bhutani, State Project Director of APART and Chief Guest of the event, categorically remarked, “Govt of Assam is committed to promoting and enabling the agriculture enterprise ecosystem in the state." Towards this, APART has initiated the Assam Agribusiness Growth Lab program to foster and accelerate the growth of the agro-processing sector. APART encourages entrepreneurs to spearhead the development of the state. We welcome CIIE.CO'S effort in implementing a much-needed program for achieving results. ”

Mr. Chintan Bakshi, partner CIIE.CO and CEO Startupoasis said AAGL is a path-breaking program not only for Assam but it is also a potential trendsetter for supporting agri-based businesses and MSMEs across India.

"CIIEI has used its deep expertise in startup incubation and acceleration to provide deep mentoring, business advisory, fundraising, and market access support to agribusinesses from Assam," he said.