Startup uses healthy soil cover to generate additional income for farmers in India and other countries

For decades, smallholder farmers in India have faced challenges related to declining soil fertility, rising resource costs, unpredictable weather, and reduced profits. However, at the root of this problem lies one of the world's largest untapped climate solutions—healthy soil.

The Emergence of Varaha

Recognizing this opportunity, three entrepreneurs founded Varaha in 2022—a climate technology firm. This company helps farmers implement methods that improve soil health while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In return, farmers can earn additional income through carbon credits.

Large corporations such as Google and Microsoft purchase these credits to offset their own emissions, and a portion of the revenue goes directly to the farmers. Today, the model covers over two hundred thousand farmers in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Côte d'Ivoire. More than one hundred thousand of them participate exclusively in Varaha's flagship regenerative agriculture and reforestation programs, earning an extra income stream from year one while gradually restoring the health of their lands.

Origin of the Idea and Financial Gap

Before Varaha was officially established in 2022, its founders constantly encountered the same issue: farmers were encouraged to transition to sustainable agricultural practices, but financial support for this transition was extremely scarce.

Ankita Garg, who previously worked at Bayer and Monsanto, observed a sharp contrast between well-resourced farms in developed countries and small Indian farms, many of which struggled with shrinking profits and increasing weather unpredictability. Simultaneously, Madhur Jain worked with Precision Development (PxD), helping scale digital advisory services for millions of farmers across India. Vishal Kuchanur provided the necessary technical expertise to develop solutions applicable to vast and fragmented agricultural areas.

Together, they realized that Indian farmers possessed an untapped potential. Healthy soil naturally absorbs and sequesters carbon from the atmosphere, thereby slowing climate change. Nevertheless, nearly 150 million smallholder farmers in India remained largely excluded from the financial benefits associated with these environmental achievements. Their landholdings were small and scattered, monitoring was expensive, and there was no system capable of engaging millions of farmers in the carbon economy.

Madhur Jain, CEO and co-founder of Varaha, stated: 'We created a model where regenerative practices generate carbon credits; the income from these credits makes implementation viable from year one, and improved soil fertility gradually increases yields over a five-year period.' This concept became the foundation of Varaha.

The company's name is inspired by the avatar Varaha of Lord Vishnu, who, according to Hindu mythology, saved the Earth from the cosmic ocean and restored it. For the founders, this name reflects their mission to help farmers restore degraded lands and improve their livelihoods. Throughout 2021, the founders deeply studied carbon markets and investigated what could motivate farming communities to adopt sustainable methods. After several months of research, Ankita and her co-founders officially registered Varaha in Gurugram, Haryana, in March 2022. Over several months, the startup began working with farmers in different states, creating a model that links healthier soil with better income.

On-the-Ground Mechanism

Varaha's work starts with people. Field teams, NGOs, and local partners visit villages to personally explain the program and build trust. They hold discussions with farmers about the necessary changes, explain the process, and detail the potential earnings.

After a farmer is registered, their land is mapped, and key details such as crop type and existing farming methods are recorded using Vann—Varaha's mobile application. The app is designed for rural conditions and functions even in areas with unstable internet connectivity.

Soil Assessment and Support

The next step is soil assessment. This allows Varaha to understand what each piece of land requires. Depending on the soil condition, farmers may be encouraged to use practices such as reduced tillage, biochar application, agroforestry, or enhanced rock weathering. Based on these recommendations, Varaha provides the necessary support for the transition. This can include supplying saplings for tree planting, biochar for soil amendment, or equipment needed for reduced tillage.

Ankita Garg, COO and co-founder of Varaha, notes: 'For the farmer, the practice itself isn't complicated—it's often just a small adjustment to what they are already doing. What was missing was someone to guide them through the process and make the transition worthwhile.' The work does not stop after implementing new methods. Throughout the entire growing season, satellites take repeated images of every participating farm. These images are analyzed using artificial intelligence (AI) to verify compliance with recommended practices.

Vishal Kuchanur, CTO and co-founder of Varaha, explains: 'Our zero-trust dMRV system replaces periodic manual audits with continuous verification using AI and satellites. Instead of someone visiting the farm once a year, we monitor it almost daily, making the entire process much more reliable.'

Verification and Credit Issuance

Once the farming methods are verified, scientific models assess how much carbon has been removed from or prevented from entering the atmosphere. These assessments combine real soil samples with machine learning, eliminating the need for physical testing of every plot. The results are then independently verified according to internationally recognized standards. Following verification, carbon credits are issued through global registries such as Verra, Gold Standard, and Puro.earth.

Madhur Jain emphasizes: 'Science must withstand global scrutiny because these credits are used by some of the world's largest companies. But the model only works if it also withstands scrutiny for the farmer, and if the money actually reaches them.'

After the sale of credits, a portion of the revenue is paid to the participating farmers. Payments are typically made starting from the first year. NGOs and field teams that helped implement the program also receive a share for their on-the-ground work.

Benefits for Farmers

For farmers, the advantages are both immediate and long-term. In the short term, payments for carbon credits create an additional source of income. Over time, the farming methods themselves improve soil health, making agricultural lands more fertile, productive, and resilient.

Madhur Jain notes: 'The income from carbon credits gives farmers a second stream of income from year one, regardless of the harvest, making the transition to regenerative practices viable without waiting for yield recovery.' For many smallholder farmers whose income often depends on a single harvest, this supplementary income can help mitigate financial risks when adopting new farming methods.

However, the more significant transformation happens beneath the surface. Practices like reduced tillage, biochar application, agroforestry, and enhanced rock weathering gradually improve soil health. As organic carbon accumulates, the soil retains more moisture, supports greater microbial activity, and becomes more fertile. Over time, healthier soil can reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers and increase yields, making farms more resilient to changing weather conditions. Simply put, farmers are not only earning money for contributing to climate change mitigation—they are also investing in the long-term health and productivity of their land.

Scaling the Platform

When Varaha was founded in 2022, the founders tested a simple idea: could smallholder farmers simultaneously improve soil, reduce emissions, and earn extra income? Initial projects were aimed at answering this question. The team needed to determine if farmers were willing to adopt new methods, if the science would withstand rigorous scrutiny, and whether the generated carbon credits met international standards.

As early projects showed results, Varaha began to expand. What started with regenerative agriculture soon incorporated agroforestry, biochar, and enhanced rock weathering. Each program was designed to improve soil health and ensure measurable climate benefits. The success of the model in India paved the way for international expansion. Today, Varaha operates not only in India but also in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Côte d'Ivoire, collaborating with farming communities facing similar challenges, including soil degradation, climate uncertainty, and agricultural income instability.

For Madhur Jain, one of the company's most important achievements has been witnessing how numerous climate solutions move from the experimental stage to commercial scale. He noted that a large portion of the company's portfolio is now operating commercially. Reforestation projects in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh are fully deployed, and the enhanced rock weathering program in Madhya Pradesh is also operational at scale. Regenerative agriculture is expanding across the Indo-Gangetic Plain, and biochar has recently reached commercial levels. This provides confidence that these solutions can benefit both farmers and the climate in very different geographical regions.

The company's growth is reflected in its metrics. The flagship regenerative agriculture program in the Indo-Gangetic Plain has already onboarded over 10,000 farmers, aiming to cover more than 70,000 farmers across 800,000 hectares. Biochar initiatives have also moved beyond the pilot phase, with the first Puro.earth carbon credits issued in late 2024. Across more than 20 active projects, Varaha reports that it has:

Sequestered over 2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Brought over 1.1 million acres under regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, biochar use, or enhanced rock weathering. Created over 2,600 jobs. Saved over 2.4 million liters of water through precise sustainable methods. Prevented the burning of 5.4 tonnes of agricultural waste.

To support this expansion, the company has raised over $50 million USD. Furthermore, it secured a $30 million commitment from climate investor Mirova to scale its Kheti regenerative agriculture program. The company has also received several national and international recognitions for its work, including inclusion in TIME 100 Climate 2024, being featured in Forbes Asia 100 to Watch 2024, ranking #2 in Asia Pacific Most Innovative Companies 2026 by FastCompany, winning the IndiaAI Innovation Challenge (Agriculture category), and recognition as one of the XPRIZE Carbon Removal Top 100 Teams and World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer.

The Future of Varaha

Despite covering over two hundred thousand farmers in five countries, the founders believe they are only just beginning. Their ambition is to remove a billion tonnes of carbon by 2030, but for them, this figure represents something more—the number of farmers they can support in healing their lands.

ventureburn.comJuly 30, 24:52

InvestiFi Raises $20 Million to Expand Digital Investing for Credit Unions

InvestiFi has successfully raised $20 million to accelerate the development of its embedded digital investing platform designed for American credit unions and local banks.

Investment Scale and Round Participants

This funding round represents the largest investment made in a fintech company that specializes exclusively in providing digital investing capabilities for credit unions and local banks. The investment round was led by Vibe Credit Union, with participation from BankTech Ventures, Idaho Central Credit Union (ICCU), Navari, United Financial Credit Union, Coastal Credit Union, Mid Minnesota Credit Union, Truity Credit Union, and Southpoint Credit Union.

Goals for Capital Utilization

InvestiFi plans to use the secured funds to expand its platform, accelerate new product development, and increase the number of financial institutions aiming to retain client deposits within their own digital banking ecosystems.

Platform Functionality

The company, founded by CEO Kian Sarreshteh, operates as a Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO). It enables financial institutions to integrate investment services directly into their online platforms. This means clients do not need to transfer funds to external brokerage firms or investment applications; they can invest directly from their checking or savings accounts.

The company's technology, which is currently patent pending and named 'Checking Account Investing,' simplifies the investment process and helps financial institutions strengthen customer relationships. Currently, the platform supports fractional share and ETF investing, managed investments, IRAs, cryptocurrency and stablecoin trading, with future releases planned for additional investment products.

Market Demand and Competitive Advantage

A study conducted by Cornerstone Advisors showed that nearly half of Gen Z and millennial consumers actively invest, and 43% have moved money to third-party investment platforms. InvestiFi believes that embedding investing within the ecosystem allows local banks and credit unions to compete more effectively against large financial institutions, fintech companies, and digital brokers.

Company Growth Dynamics

Over the past two years, InvestiFi has demonstrated significant growth in its client base. The company increased its number of clients from four in 2024 to over 60 signed financial institutions by July 2026, reflecting the growing demand for integrated digital investing services. Sarreshteh noted that the latest funding confirms both the viability of the platform and the company's long-term mission. He emphasized that many investors are existing clients, which indicates confidence in InvestiFi's technology and its ability to help local financial institutions compete in an increasingly digital financial landscape.

Vibe Credit Union stated that this investment aligns with its goal of supporting members at every stage of their financial journey, viewing digital wealth accumulation services as an essential addition to traditional banking products. BankTech Ventures also highlighted InvestiFi's rapid client growth and the expanding market opportunity, noting that the company solves a critical problem facing local financial institutions in an era where digital investing is becoming an expected consumer feature.

Future Plans and Expansion

The new capital will be directed towards platform expansion, product innovation, and broader deployment across the United States. InvestiFi aims to increase adoption among existing partner financial institutions while attracting additional banks and credit unions interested in embedded investing opportunities. As digital investing continues to become a standard feature in financial services, InvestiFi positions itself as the technology partner enabling smaller financial organizations to offer investment services without requiring clients to leave their trusted banking platforms.

ventureburn.comJuly 30, 24:27

Encore AI raises $30 million in Series A to expand its revenue-focused enterprise AI platform

Encore AI has successfully raised $30 million in a Series A funding round. These funds are designated for the global scaling of its enterprise artificial intelligence platform.

Investors and Partners

The round was led by Team8, with participation from Planven and The Garage. Other investors included Lukatz, as well as several commercial banks and insurance companies that had previously used the company's platform.

Use of Funds

The secured financing will enable Encore AI to develop its products and increase international operations. The company plans to boost the adoption of its solutions in large enterprises and expand its presence in the financial sector and other highly regulated industries where compliance and customer engagement are critical.

Encore AI's Philosophy and Technology

Encore AI was founded in 2022 by Dr. Dvira Ginsburg. Its primary mission is to solve the problem of revenue generation, unlike other customer service AI services that focus on reducing operational costs by decreasing human interaction. The company achieves this by training intelligent agents to mimic the performance of top sales and customer service employees.

Platform Mechanism

At the core of Encore AI's technology is a patented Interaction Mining mechanism. This allows for detailed analysis of behavioral patterns that consistently lead to the most desired outcomes in customer interactions across various channels. The platform transforms these behavioral models into AI agents capable of conducting interactions or augmenting the work of existing agents in real time. Encore's capabilities cover voice communication, chats, interactive voice response, and digital channels, while fully adhering to the strict regulatory and compliance standards required for operation in fields such as banking and insurance.

Business Advantages

CEO Dr. Dvira Ginsburg noted that most enterprise AI platforms focus exclusively on cost reduction. He emphasized that Encore AI helps organizations unlock the value already present in years of customer interaction data by training AI agents to replicate the actions of their most effective employees. The company claims its platform can be deployed within weeks without requiring lengthy implementation projects. One major credit client reported a tenfold return on investment just months after launching the technology.

Scale and Development Plans

Currently, Encore AI serves over 40 corporate clients globally, the majority of whom are financial institutions. According to the company, annual recurring revenue has grown more than fivefold since the previous funding round less than 18 months ago. The new capital will be primarily directed towards developing the company's sales department in the United States and increasing deployments among larger financial organizations. Furthermore, Encore AI intends to continue refining its proprietary AI models and enterprise capabilities.

Expert Opinions

Team8 Partner Hadar Sitterman Norris believes that many organizations possess years of valuable customer interaction data but have not yet managed to convert it into measurable business value. She posits that Encore AI has created a platform capable of turning this information into sustainable revenue growth while maintaining the compliance architecture required by regulated industries. Planven Managing Partner Eran Westman added that successful enterprise AI companies will be defined by the long-term value they create, not just automation. He characterized Encore AI's combination of proprietary data analytics and industry expertise as a solid foundation for building a leading platform in its category. The company aims to help organizations improve sales performance, strengthen customer engagement, and scale the experience of their most productive employees through intelligent automation.

olhardigital.com.brJuly 29, 23:55

Microsoft surpasses quarterly expectations, driven by strong Azure performance

Microsoft released financial results for the last quarter that exceeded market projections, with the cloud computing platform Azure being the main driver of this success. Following the announcement, the company's shares rose by approximately 3% at market close.

Overall Financial Performance

Microsoft's total revenue in the quarter ending June 30 reached US$ 90 billion (equivalent to R$ 461.5 billion), surpassing the estimate of US$ 87.6 billion (R$ 449.2 billion) provided by LSEG. Adjusted earnings per share was US$ 4.74 (R$ 24.30), above the forecast of US$ 4.24 (R$ 21.74).

Compared to the same period last year, revenue increased by about 18%. Net income reached US$ 35.7 billion (R$ 183.4 billion), corresponding to US$ 4.81 (R$ 24.66) per share, contrasting with the US$ 27.2 billion (R$ 140 billion) or US$ 3.65 (R$ 18.72) recorded a year earlier.

Factors Influencing Results

Microsoft attributed the good performance to a gain of US$ 3.2 billion (R$ 16.4 billion) from investment in the artificial intelligence company Anthropic, combined with lower-than-expected expenses related to its first voluntary retirement program. On the other hand, the Xbox division reported an accounting impairment loss.

Accelerated Azure Growth

Azure was the highlight of the quarter. The Intelligent Cloud division, responsible for the cloud service, generated US$ 39.3 billion (R$ 201.6 billion) in revenue, representing a 31.6% growth compared to last year and exceeding the expectation of US$ 38.1 billion (R$ 195.7 billion) from analysts consulted by StreetAccount. Azure demonstrated a 43% expansion, accelerating from the 40% seen in the previous quarter, while the market predicted around 40% growth.

Additionally, Microsoft announced that Azure surpassed the US$ 100 billion (R$ 512.8 billion) revenue mark during the 2026 fiscal year, reaching this level for the first time. Although it has advanced, the platform is still behind Amazon Web Services (AWS) but maintains a higher position than Google Cloud, which belongs to Alphabet.

Highlights in Other Segments

Microsoft 365 Copilot, the AI assistant integrated into the Office suite, also showed significant progress, surpassing 30 million paid licenses, a number higher than the more than 20 million registered in July.

The Productivity and Business Processes division, which includes products such as Office, Dynamics, and LinkedIn, achieved revenue of US$ 37.8 billion (R$ 194 billion), representing a 14.3% annual increase and exceeding the projection of US$ 37.1 billion (R$ 190.7 billion).

Decline in Consumer Areas

The More Personal Computing area, which includes Windows, Bing, Surface, and Xbox, recorded revenue of US$ 12.8 billion (R$ 65.9 billion), marking a 4.4% drop compared to the previous year. Despite this contraction, the result remained above the market forecast of US$ 12.1 billion (R$ 62.4 billion).

Microsoft reported that sales of Surface devices and Windows licenses for computer manufacturers decreased by 7% in the quarter. Gartner consultancy estimated that global PC shipments declined by 4.2% in the same period.

Continued Focus on Artificial Intelligence

Despite the positive results, investors are monitoring Microsoft's AI strategy. Analysts at Deutsche Bank recently pointed to a 'certain concentration risk' in the partnership with OpenAI, especially considering the progress of open-source models.

In January, Microsoft had stated that about 45% of its remaining US$ 625 billion (R$ 3.2 billion) in commercial performance obligations were linked to OpenAI. In the analyzed quarter, this indicator—which reflects contracted revenues not yet recognized—rose to US$ 678 billion (R$ 3.5 billion), an 8% increase from the previous quarter. The company justified this growth mainly due to contracts signed with customers who do not develop AI models.

Next Strategic Steps

During the fourth fiscal quarter, Microsoft also launched an AI model focused on programming with the goal of reducing costs and appointed Dan Shapero, a LinkedIn executive, to lead the professional social network. Furthermore, price cuts were implemented for Xbox Game Pass subscriptions. The company's executives plan to detail the financial results and present future outlooks in a conference call with analysts.