Posted by Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh: ScaNxt Scientific Technologies Pvt. Ltd, an IIT Kanpur-incubated deep-tech agritech startup, has joined the portfolio of Zerodha’s investment arm Rainmatter focused on climate and deep technology.
ScaNxt raised an undisclosed sum from Rainmatter, along with investments from the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank).
The investment strengthens ScaNxt’s ability to scale its deep-tech platform for soil health, AI-powered pest detection, and climate-resilient farming solutions. It will help in driving product development, deepening research and development and expanding the channel partners’ network.
Besides, the funding will enable the company in scaling the deployment of its climate-smart solutions for small and marginal farmers across India and abroad.
ScaNxt’s flagship product Bhu-Parikshak offers chemical-free soil testing using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and machine learning. Its patented Detect technology and AgroLens platform together provide real-time pest detection and crop advisory.
Alongside, it is developing affordable precision agriculture through indigenous electric mechanisation and smart solar drying solutions. The company has registered close to 90,000 farmers and serves more than 200 B2B customers across over 21 Indian states, while continuing to expand its international presence.
“Our association with Rainmatter, SIDBI and Exim Bank is a strong validation of the work we have been doing to build climate-smart, technology-driven solutions for India’s smallholder farmers,” said Rajat Vardhan, Founder and CEO, ScaNxt.
“Rainmatter’s patient, long-term approach is particularly well-suited to deep-tech agritech. We look forward to working with Rainmatter, SIDBI and Exim Bank as we scale our impact and make precision agriculture more accessible for farmers and stakeholders,” added Vardhan.
“The true measure of indigenous innovation lies in its ability to move beyond technological validation to sustained commercial relevance. ScaNxt’s evolution from research-led innovation to a diversified agritech enterprise with an expanding national and international footprint reflects this transition,” said Dr Ashutosh Agnihotri, CEO – FIRST, IIT Kanpur.
“Investor validation represents an important step in strengthening the pathways between technology, capital, and markets. We are proud to see ScaNxt advance this journey,” added Agnihotri.
“We partnered with ScaNxt because they aren’t just building software; they are combining hardware, AI, and engineering to solve tough, physical agricultural problems. Rajat and his team have shown incredible grit, taking deep-tech research from IIT Kanpur and scaling it to 90,000 farmers. Their patient, multi-layered approach to soil health and rural decarbonization is exactly the kind of long-term utility we want to back,” said Abhinav Singh Negi, Lead – Climate and Deeptech, Rainmatter by Zerodha.
“ScaNxt’s strong technology foundation, growing international presence and focus on developing scalable agritech solutions, create promising export opportunities for the company. Exim Bank sees a lot of potential to take indigenous, climate-smart technologies to global markets and strengthen India’s agri-tech exports,” said Sailesh Prasad, GM and Head – Ubharte Sitaare Programme, Exim Bank.