Canebot Secures Strategic Seed Investment from Ajinkya Rahane to Revolutionize Sugarcane Retail
Empowering Farmers with Robotic Precision
Canebot is a Pune-based agritech startup. It is applying robotics and AI to change how India drinks its sugarcane juice. The company received seed investment in June 2025 from Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane and the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MCCIA). This investment will facilitate Canebot’s vision to do away with post-harvest waste, increase farmer’s income, and provide clean on-tap sugar cane juice to urban consumers via AI powered IoT enabled robotic kiosks.
From Concept to Commercialization
The Canebot company was initiated by Kirty Milind Datar and Milind Vasant Datar to develop a robotized sugarcane juice vending system in India. Its initial product, CaneBOT, is an autonomous operating kiosk that is fully solar-powered and a one-touch sugarcane washing, cutting, pressing, and dispensing machine. The technologies comprise a UV sterilization system, patented cleaning technology, and machine intelligence diagnostics that are completely directed towards hygiene and transparency. But the creativity does not stop here, as Canebot directly connects those kiosks to sugarcane farmers. This system can further consolidate and guarantee that the farmer receives more money per crop.
Funding Journey: From Bootstrap to Backing
- 2018-2020: The founders came up with the idea and funded it with over Rs.1 crore of their own money.
- 2021-2022: They were chosen by leading incubation centers, including Venture Center (NCL Pune), NSRCEL (IIM Bangalore), and iHub (IIT Ropar), for mentoring and support in building prototypes.
- 2023: They received a Rs.43 lakh grant from the BIRAC-GYTI program, which helped them transition from prototype to early deployment.
- 2024: Recognized by MCCIA for excellence in sustainable agritech innovation.
- 2025: Raised undisclosed seed capital from Ajinkya Rahane, under a strategic collaboration with MCCIA—marking the company’s first external funding round.
Where the Funds Are Going
The latest investment in Canebot is driving several key projects. This also involves commercial deployment of more than 5 robotic kiosks in Pune and Mumbai. The company is also updating key technologies, such as enhanced artificial intelligence, predictive maintenance, and remote diagnostics. Canebot is also working on a powerful Digital Sourcing Platform that will enable direct sourcing linkages with the sugarcane farmers. They are also ramping up more sustainable initiatives, like using solar power and reusing water. In addition, Canebot is also planning a franchise model, which will help FPOs and rural entrepreneurs in owning and running their kiosks.
Tech That Makes It Tick
Canebot’s machines are engineered for scale, hygiene, and efficiency. Each modular CaneBOT unit connects to the Internet and has dynamic load sensing and real-time analytics. It connects to the cloud for centralized control and automated reporting and is fully equipped for payments using UPI, QR codes, and card integration. A smart backend dashboard supports inventory tracking and user engagement insights. These kiosks fit well in busy places like colleges, malls, and transit hubs. They bring fresh, clean sugarcane juice directly to consumers with great convenience.
Early Wins and Impact
The agritech startup Canebot is driving value across the agri-value chain. Smallholder farmers more than double their profit margins through direct sourcing, and its hygienic, AI-powered machines have already made more than 2,000 customers for happy—90% of whom reported both taste and cleanliness as “excellent.” The firm’s disruptive franchise model enables agri-youth and FPOs to earn from kiosk ownership. This forward-thinking model has also resulted in Canebot receiving the 2024 MCCIA award for sustainable agritech innovation, which is instrumental in reforming rural entrepreneurship.
Industry Recognition and Partnerships
Ajinkya Rahane’s funding and confidence in Canebot’s mission Both the funds and credibility has come with Ajinkya Rahane on board. These collaborations with NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission and top incubators have given Canebot a national leeway in the innovation corridor. The company is also in talks with health-oriented retail chains to place kiosks in such strategic locations.
Looking Ahead
Canebot is expected to expand by 2026 by opening more than 100 kiosks in Maharashtra and entering Karnataka and Gujarat. It will tie up with sugar mills and cooperatives to procure ingredients more efficiently. It will also launch a B2B SaaS licensing business to sell its vending operating system to other foodtech brands. Apart from that, it will incorporate Nutritional AI to enable users to monitor their sugar and calorie consumption per serving. The strategy is aimed at India’s Rs.3,000 crore sugarcane juice market using a tech-based approach.
Why Canebot Stands Out
In an agritech world focused on SaaS and data platforms, Canebot is changing the game with a hardware-first approach. It automates the juicing process and connects urban consumers directly to sugarcane farmers. This creates a model that is traceable, clean, and profitable. Its commitment to sustainable technology and farmer welfare makes it a leader in India’s next generation of agri-retail.
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