Digivriddhi: Fintech Empowering India's 80M Dairy Farmers

In a country where over 80 million dairy farmers form the backbone of rural livelihood, access to efficient financial services remains a pressing challenge. For Digivriddhi founder, a pioneer of India's digital banking revolution, this wasn't just a professional opportunity, it was a deeply personal mission.

From Aadhaar to Agriculture: A Vision Rooted in Inclusion

With a legacy of building the Aadhaar Enabled Payment System during his tenure at the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and helping launch the Bharat banking stack at IDFC Bank, the founder of Digivriddhi has long been at the forefront of India's fintech transformation. But it was the dream of bringing digital financial inclusion to grassroots India that truly galvanised his entrepreneurial journey.

Founded on December 17, 2019, by Ragavan Venkatesan in Bangalore, Digivriddhi — a name that combines "Digital" and the Sanskrit word Vriddhi (meaning growth and development) — set out to bring world-class financial services, insurance technology, and a digital marketplace to the doorsteps of India's dairy farmers.

One Platform, Three Pillars: A Seamless Dairy Fintech Ecosystem

Digivriddhi's integrated platform is uniquely tailored to the dairy ecosystem, offering banking, insurance, and marketplace services under a single digital roof. The company enables:

• Loan disbursements within 3 to 72 hours
• Digital Bovine Insurance and unique bovine identification
• Doorstep financing for remote rural dairy farmers
• End-use loan checks ensure responsible credit utilisation
• Digital Marketplace platform- A one-stop solution for dairy farmers

This approach addresses a wide range of industry pain points. From a lack of innovation and delayed loan processing, to the complete absence of digital footprints in rural lending. Unlike banks, insurance firms, or e-commerce platforms that operate in silos, Digivriddhi provides a cohesive, user-centric experience that simplifies and accelerates service delivery.

Culture of Agility: Teamwork in Action

Digivriddhi's flat team structure and open-door policy foster a culture of responsiveness and innovation. Team members are not only expected to think on their feet but to execute ground-level solutions that yield real results. "We're looking for people who not only ideate but implement," the founder emphasises.

Market Opportunity: A Dairy Revolution in the Making

With the Indian dairy industry projected to grow from Rs 14.9 trillion to Rs 31.2 trillion by 2028, the scope for fintech-led innovation is immense. Digivriddhi’s laser focus on small and marginal dairy farmers positions it to be a key player in driving this transformation.

Its unique customer acquisition strategy, which includes digital onboarding, seller-side financing, and assisted services for tech-challenged users, ensures high retention and trust among rural clientele.

Backed by Trust: Growth, Funding, and Recognition

Digivriddhi has raised approximately Rs 100 crore to date and has reached Series B funding, backed by Info Edge, Omnivore, and Prana Ventures. The company is now expanding its geographic presence. Currently operating in seven states, it aims to increase that number to fifteen by the end of the year.

Notable partnerships with the Reserve Bank of India Innovation Hub (RBIH), National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), and National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) underline its credibility and impact. Its creation of the ULI platform with RBIH for dairy finance earned praise from RBI Governor Dr. Shaktikanta Das

Resilience and Resolve: Navigating Challenges

Launching just before the COVID-19 pandemic posed immediate operational hurdles. But persistence paid off. "Patience, perseverance, and consistency are what carried us through," says the founder. While the digital journey currently requires on-ground assistance, the goal is to eventually transition to a self-service model as rural users become more digitally literate.

Scaling Impact Nationally and Beyond

As Digivriddhi marks its fifth anniversary, its short-term focus is on deepening its presence across India, while long-term ambitions include international expansion. The company envisions doubling rural incomes and setting a global benchmark for inclusive dairy finance.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, the founder offers a simple mantra: "Don’t just think—move out and do it."