Nashik: Applications are closing soon for AgriDISQovery 2.0, the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge in the agriculture sector, hosted by Sahyadri Farms in collaboration with the Maharashtra State Innovation Society and Startup India, DPIIT.
The last date to apply is 20th August 2025.
AgriDISQovery 2.0: Driving Innovation in Agriculture
AgriDISQovery is a joint initiative of Sahyadri Rural Development Foundation and Digital Impact Square (DISQ), supported by the Maharashtra State Innovation Society.
The program is designed to identify and support early-stage innovators, agritech startups, FPOs, and social enterprises working on transformative solutions in agriculture.
Also Read: AFI Agri Cohort 2025–26 Opens Applications to Empower Agri-Tech Startups in India
The thematic focus areas for AgriDISQovery 2.0 are:
- Farm Mechanization in Horticulture
- Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Agriculture
- Energy Access and Biofuel Innovations
90-Day Bootcamp and Incubation Support
Selected teams will participate in a 3-month residential bootcamp at Sahyadri Farms, Nashik. This immersion will allow participants to validate their ideas with farmers, develop prototypes, and test solutions in real-world ecosystems.
The program includes:
- Free residential accommodation and access to R&D and pilot farms.
- Mentorship with DISQ coaches, domain experts, and industry leaders.
- Pilot opportunities with partners, including 70+ FPOs and 25,000+ farmers.
- Networking with over 100+ ecosystem partners spanning industry, academia, and government.
Also Read: SusMafia Launches Climate-Tech Opportunity Map to Cut 72 Per Cent of India’s Emissions
At the end of the bootcamp, shortlisted teams will advance into the incubation phase starting in December 2025, where they will receive seed funding of up to ₹5 lakh, growth-stage incubation support through partners such as Social Alpha, UnLtd India, and Villgro, and access to the Tata group ecosystem.
Eligibility Criteria for AgriDISQovery 2.0
AgriDISQovery is open to teams and early-stage startups in the ideation, validation, or pre-revenue stages. Applicants should demonstrate:
- An innovative idea with a prototype or MVP addressing agricultural challenges.
- Commitment to scale and create social impact.
- Willingness to relocate to Nashik for the residential program.
Applications must be submitted through the Startup India portal, after which the DISQ team will conduct evaluations. The final shortlist will be released by the end of August.
Workshops, Pilots, and Growth Opportunities
Participants will gain exposure through demo days, pilot opportunities, and mentoring sessions with domain experts. The program ensures startups move from idea to sustainable social enterprise, with opportunities for intellectual property (IP) protection based on individual or collaborative development.
For queries, applicants can contact Gokul Tungar, Incubation Manager, Digital Impact Square at gokul.tungar@sahyadrifarms.com.
The AgriDISQovery 2.0 challenge aims to transform agriculture by fostering innovation and empowering startups to solve pressing problems in farm mechanization, AI-driven solutions, and energy innovations.
