IIM Kashipur Incubated Startup Himshakti Raises INR 83 Lakhs in Pre-Seed Round Led by EvolveX

• ByStartupStory     |    November 6, 2023

EvolveX, an early-stage program founded by We Founder Circle that provides high-impact acceleration to early-revenue startups from various sectors, has announced its recent investment in Himshakti, an innovative startup dedicated to transforming the lives of remote Himalayan villagers through sustainable agri-produce.

Himshakti, incubated at IIM Kashipur and recognized by the Uttarakhand government, is the first company in India to have launched India’s pink salt in partnership with Hindustan Salts Ltd & Sambhar Salts Ltd. The startup was handpicked by IIM Kashipur from a pool of 600+ startups under the RKVY Saksham scheme in 2019, providing Himshakti with a grant and a transformative two-month campus entrepreneurship training program.

In their pre-seed round, Himshakti secured funding of INR 83 lakhs (USD 99.8K approx.), with EvolveX as the lead investor and We Founder Circle as a co-investor. Additionally, VC funds such as Artha Venture Fund and Auxano, along with one of Uttarakhand’s leading construction companies VKJ Projects and marquee angel investors, have also backed the startup in this round. The funds will be utilized for team expansion, sales & marketing, and the launch of new products.

Himshakti’s ambitious roadmap includes establishing a commanding presence in over 1,000 premium stores across North India within the next three months.

Speaking about the investment, Bhawna Bhatnagar, Co-Founder of EvolveX, shared, “In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a palpable rise in the demand for healthier consumable alternatives. With this backdrop, the allure of pristine Himalayan agricultural products is unmatched. Himshakti’s offerings align perfectly with this growing consumer preference, providing a fitting solution to today’s health-conscious individuals. Particularly inspiring is Himshakti’s focus on women empowerment through its connections with over 12,000 women farmers. At EvolveX, we remain fully dedicated to supporting their transformative journey.”

Harshit Sehdev, Founder of Himshakti, expressed his gratitude for the support received and emphasized the startup’s mission of empowering Himalayan farmers with sustainable income sources while delivering the highest quality, wholesome, and nutritious food products to households across the nation.

EvolveX’s commitment to discovering and backing innovative startups like Himshakti showcases its vital contribution to fostering India’s dynamic entrepreneurial landscape and opening avenues for revolutionary solutions across diverse industries.

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