Pehle Jaisa, a Gurugram-based startup focused on converting waste into valuable resources, has secured $300,000 in a pre-Series A funding round. The investment was co-led by Pantnagar Capital and Climate Angels, reinforcing the growing investor confidence in sustainable, rural-centric business models.
Earlier, the company had raised $169,000 in a seed round, which helped it establish its initial operations.
According to Pehle Jaisa’s official statement, the newly acquired funds will be used to expand its decentralized waste management model across villages in India. The startup’s core mission is to empower rural communities to process waste locally and create high-quality organic fertilizers, helping villages become more self-sufficient and sustainable.
Revolutionizing Rural Waste Management
Founded in 2022 by Pankaj Pandey, Ehtesham Farooqui, Shabih Abbas, Sumit Suman, Wasim Akhtar, and Mantosh Kumar, Pehle Jaisa is on a mission to decentralize the production of organic fertilizers by integrating local waste processing centers directly into the manufacturing process. This innovative approach helps eliminate the “first mile” transportation costs that often make fertilizer production expensive.
The company envisions a self-reliant future for rural India, where each village can generate its own resources such as gas, electricity, and fertilizers. By promoting local production, Pehle Jaisa is aiming to build a circular rural economy that fosters sustainability, resilience, and long-term prosperity at the grassroots level.
Strong Market Response and Future Plans
Since its launch, Pehle Jaisa has rapidly gained traction. In FY24, the startup claims to have sold over 500 metric tonnes (MT) of fertilizer, highlighting the increasing demand for affordable and sustainable agriculture solutions. The growth continued in FY25, with the company surpassing Rs 2.5 crore in revenue and distributing over 1,500 MT of value-added organic fertilizers.
The company currently offers soil conditioners and bio-stimulants and is developing a portfolio of customized organic fertilizers tailored to specific crops and regional soil profiles.
Looking ahead, Pehle Jaisa has set an ambitious target of crossing Rs 100 crore in revenue in the coming years, driven by expansion, product diversification, and the rising need for environmentally conscious farming practices.
Building a Greener, Circular Economy
Pehle Jaisa’s innovative rural-first strategy is aligned with India’s broader sustainability goals. By decentralizing waste processing and fertilizer production, the startup is not only helping farmers but also reducing the carbon footprint associated with long supply chains.
The company’s mission to empower villages through self-sustaining waste management solutions holds significant potential to transform India’s agricultural ecosystem.