How Amwoodo Is Taking Indian Bamboo To Global Markets
- ByStartupStory | October 22, 2025
India ranks as the second-largest bamboo producer globally, trailing only behind China. Yet, while Chinese bamboo exports dominate over 65% of the global market, India contributes less than 1%. With the global bamboo market poised to reach $88.44 billion by 2030, this disparity represents both a challenge and a massive opportunity — one that Kolkata-based startup Amwoodo is determined to bridge.
From a Global Realization to a Local Revolution
The idea for Amwoodo struck cofounder Agni Mitra in Sweden when he noticed that nearly every bamboo product on supermarket shelves was made in China. Coming from India — where bamboo grows abundantly — he was struck by one question: Why isn’t India leading this market?
China’s dominance, Mitra discovered, came from specialized machinery designed for its native Moso bamboo species. Indian varieties like Tunda and Balcooa, in contrast, were incompatible with these machines. This industrial gap became Amwoodo’s innovation trigger.
Founded in 2019 by Agni Mitra, Sourav Dey, and Avijit Rajak, the company began by manufacturing customized processing machines for Indian bamboo. With training programs for farmers across the northeast and a factory set up in Kolkata, the startup built a sustainable supply chain from the ground up — addressing both the ecological and economic potential of bamboo.
Building a Sustainable Ecosystem
From a humble start with four farmers and three artisans, Amwoodo has grown into a livelihood network of over 1,500 people—including 700 farmers and 700 artisans across West Bengal, Jharkhand, and the Northeast.
To overcome the skill gap in the bamboo industry, Amwoodo launched an intensive training initiative, preparing “master farmers” and lead artisans capable of managing smaller units in their local communities. These decentralized “micro-factories” enable primary processing near farms, cutting logistics costs and ensuring a fair income for producers.
Today, farmers working with Amwoodo reportedly earn ₹50,000–₹55,000 per month, while artisans make ₹30,000–₹35,000.
From B2B to D2C to Global
Initially operating as a B2B supplier to India’s major hotel chains including Taj, Hilton, and ITC, Amwoodo also manufactured eco-friendly amenities for brands such as Himalaya, The Man Company, and The Souled Store.
The 2022 government ban on single-use plastics further accelerated its growth, driving hospitality chains to adopt bamboo-based alternatives. What began as LinkedIn outreach to procurement heads soon turned into strategic partnerships as Amwoodo invited clients to witness its transparent production process.
As demand grew, Amwoodo expanded its business model into Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) and Business-to-Government (B2G) channels. Its bamboo-based lifestyle range — including toothbrushes, tissues, and kitchen essentials — is now available on Amazon, Flipkart, Zepto, and Blinkit.
Under its “Ecoconscious” marketplace, the company operates multiple eco-friendly brands:
- ImeCo – Everyday sustainable essentials
- ShaveCo – Bamboo shaving products
- Dencrus – Oral care range
Amwoodo is also launching Good Habit (eco tissues for hotels and cafes) and Conscious Story (sustainable gifting).
On the B2G side, the company is collaborating with Steel Authority of India (SAIL) and the West Bengal government to develop bamboo-based green building materials for cladding, flooring, and housing infrastructure.
Growth, Funding, and Global Expansion
Having been bootstrapped for years, Amwoodo saw its breakthrough in 2023 with a $1 million investment from Rainmatter, Zerodha’s sustainability-focused venture arm.
In September 2025, the company raised an additional $4 million pre-Series A round, led by Rainmatter alongside Adventz Group, Thinkuvate, and Caspian. The funds will accelerate production, strengthen R&D, and enhance the D2C marketplace.
Amwoodo’s revenue grew from ₹22 crore in FY23-24 to ₹52 crore in FY24-25, with projections crossing ₹100 crore for FY25-26. It also claims to remain EBITDA and PAT positive.
The startup has expanded its footprint to UAE, UK, Germany, Canada, Slovakia, and Singapore, with exports contributing 15% of total revenue. A new factory in Karnataka is being developed to produce bamboo building materials for both domestic and international markets.
A Sustainable Future Rooted in Tradition
Amwoodo’s model merges sustainability with empowerment. By designing bamboo-specific technology suited to Indian species, the company has not only built a scalable green enterprise but also revived a rural ecosystem where innovation and inclusion coexist.
From eco-conscious households to luxury hotels, Amwoodo’s products reflect a growing global shift — from awareness to action — in sustainable living.
As India’s bamboo-driven economy begins to take root, Amwoodo stands as a testament to how local innovation can redefine global competitiveness — one eco-friendly product at a time.
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