Croft Beverages, a farmer-centric sustainable tea startup, has raised $125,000 in a pre-seed funding round through a combination of equity and debt. The round was backed by prominent angel investors from the tea, sustainability, IT, and biotech industries.
The fresh capital will be used to develop Croft’s farmer-owned Farmer Producer Company (FPC) model, beginning with its first mini-factory in Billicombai near Kotagiri, the company announced in a press release.
Founded by Harish Kannan, Croft Beverages is committed to creating a sustainable model that uplifts small tea growers. The company focuses on ethically sourced tea with full traceability, ensuring transparency in trade while empowering farmers. By 2030, Croft aims to establish a network of over 100 farmer-owned mini-factories, positively impacting more than 3,000 small farmers in the Nilgiris region.
Croft Beverages has already formed key partnerships with leading brands through its “direct from origin” approach, emphasizing 100% farm-to-cup traceability and best-in-class agronomy practices. The company’s first batch of farmer-produced tea has been completely sold out, reflecting strong market demand. Looking ahead, Croft plans to establish three additional farmer-owned factories in 2025.
Each mini-factory directly transforms 25 small farmers into entrepreneurs, tripling their income potential, according to Croft. With this funding, the startup is set to scale its impact and drive a more sustainable future for India’s tea industry.
