VilCart, rural commerce startup, has successfully raised bridge funding worth $10 million to further accelerate its growth. The funding was secured from AI-X B.V., Spark Capital, and existing investors Nabventures. This round of funding is a significant milestone in the company’s mission to digitize rural retail and enhance its presence across India.

VilCart, which has already established a strong presence in South India since 2018, is revolutionizing rural commerce by connecting Rural Families through Kirana Stores and linking directly to Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs),  brands, and rural SME manufacturers. This model ensures that essential goods in groceries, FMCG, personal care, and electronics are more accessible to every family in rural areas, turning traditional Kirana shops into efficient “Grameen Super Markets.” Today VilCart is reaching around 16% of Rural populations of South India through its 1 lakh Kirana stores network across 30,000 Villages in South India.

The company is also pleased to report remarkable progress on the business front. In April 2024, the contribution of its private label to total revenue was 7%, a figure that rose to 21% by January 2025. Additionally, VilCart closed the year with a topline of ₹883 crore for FY 24 and is now projecting a topline of ₹1,200 crore for the current fiscal year. 

The newly secured funds will be utilized to strengthen the reach of its own brands by making every rural family have hygienically packed groceries and edible oil at par with urban households, further strengthening VilCart’s capabilities in rural commerce and accelerating its growth initiatives.

Ashish Chaudhury, CIO of NABVENTURES, commented on the funding, stating,  “NABVENTURES is delighted to announce our follow-on investment in Vilcart, a company that’s revolutionizing rural commerce by empowering Kirana stores with technology and a robust supply chain. We believe in Vilcart’s vision to connect farmer-producer organizations, brands, rural SMEs, and manufacturers directly to these stores, ensuring access to a wide range of products and improving livelihoods in rural communities. We are committed to supporting their continued growth and success.”

Christian Banno, Chief Investment Officer of Asia Impact said “At Asia Impact, we are committed to support scalable solutions that empower communities and drive inclusive growth. VilCart’s efforts to transform rural retail by bridging the gap between small retailers and suppliers play a crucial role in enhancing rural livelihoods and fostering economic resilience. This follow-on investment reflects our continued confidence in the business and its management, and we look forward to working together to strengthen these networks and unlock greater value for rural India”

Prasanna Kumar C, CEO of VilCart, said, “This funding validates VilCart’s growth and the opportunity in rural commerce in India. It will help us grow faster and turn Kirana stores into Grameen Super Markets. As we scale, our focus remains on strengthening rural supply chains, enhancing technology, and creating sustainable opportunities for rural businesses.”

Under the visionary leadership of CEO Prasanna Kumar C, VilCart has grown from a startup to a leader in rural commerce, bridging the gap in the unorganized retail space through technology and innovation. The company has transformed thousands of Kirana stores into thriving Grameen Super Markets, empowering rural entrepreneurs and the supply chain ecosystem.

With this new funding, VilCart is all set to reach new heights and continue its journey to transform rural retail, provide sustainable livelihoods, and catalyze economic growth across India.