BOHECO: Hemp Solutions
Year: 2013
Founders: Avnish Pandya, Chirag Tekchandaney, Delzaad Deolaliwala, Jahan Peston Jamas, Sumit Shah, and Yash P. Kotak
Funding: $9.53 million across 10 rounds, including a $2.04 million Series A in March 2024
Investors: Singularity Ventures AMC, AngelList, IIMA Ventures, Valiant Capital, among others
Introduction
Mumbai’s Bombay Hemp Company (BOHECO) started operations in 2013 to establish a revolutionary agro-based enterprise which transforms Indian agriculture through hemp and cannabis. BOHECO leverages hemp in various industries including nutrition, textile production, personal care products and alternative medical applications through its mission which connects wellness, sustainability and rural development. Through its farm-to-shelf system, the organization provides scientifically proven and legal hemp-based products to Indian customers. Through its operations, the company establishes a knowledge economy that strengthens farmer independence while advancing health and sustainable living practices.
Tackling Agricultural Challenges
India’s hemp sector has historically been beset by a mix of regulation, misinformation, and under-development. Despite the plant’s proven applications—from fiber to food to medicine—it’s been relegated to the periphery by association with psychoactive cannabis. Meanwhile, modern agriculture is searching for alternatives that are regenerative, low-input, and high-impact. BOHECO meets these double challenges by mainstreaming hemp through regulatory advocacy, scientific research, and farmer engagement. Through operating in systems certified by states and educating consumers, BOHECO is remodeling the image of hemp as a versatile crop that sustains livelihoods, health, and the environment.
Key Offerings
- Plant-Based Wellness: Full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD oils, tinctures, and capsules for pain reduction, anxiety relief, improved sleep, and inflammation reduction.
- Hemp Nutrition: Cold-pressed hemp seed oil, protein-rich powder, and nutrient-rich hemp hearts—perfect for balanced nutrition, muscle recovery, and vegan diets.
- Natural Personal Care: Topicals such as calming creams, aromatherapy roll-ons, and scalp serums that harness hemp’s calming, antibacterial, and regenerating benefits.
- Sustainable Fashion: The B Label collection includes hemp-fiber clothing organically grown—long-lasting, well-aerated, and much less water-thirsty than cotton.
Real Impact
BOHECO is not only cultivating hemp—it’s cultivating possibility. The company has uplifted over 500 farming families in the Himalayan region by turning wild hemp into a formal income source. Through buy-back agreements and agronomic training, BOHECO has created a steady supply chain that benefits both cultivators and consumers. On the healthcare side, their collaborations with premier research institutes such as the National Institute of Ayurveda have brought scientific legitimacy to cannabis-based therapies, with clinical trials underway for arthritis, digestive issues, and chronic stress. BOHECO’s expanding retail presence and e-commerce channels are demystifying hemp and making it part of everyday wellness.
Success Story
In Uttarakhand’s Pauri Garhwal district, a community that once relied solely on seasonal subsistence farming is now cultivating certified hemp under BOHECO’s guidance. One such farmer, Mahendra Singh, transitioned from growing maize to regulated hemp with BOHECO’s seeds and training. Today, his farm income has doubled thanks to guaranteed procurement and reduced input costs. In addition to the economic gains, Mahendra has also become a champion for hemp farming in his village—chasing myths and inspiring other farmers to follow suit. His success is a testament to the vast potential of industrial hemp: robust crops, rural employability, and agrarian renewal.
Lessons for Agri-Startups
- Education Drives Adoption: Breaking taboos requires sustained awareness-building, especially for crops like hemp that carry legal and social stigma.
- Regulation Can Be an Ally: Navigating legal frameworks is not a barrier—it’s a competitive moat for startups that build expertise early.
- Diversification Builds Resilience: BOHECO’s multi-vertical approach—wellness, nutrition, personal care, textiles—creates multiple revenue streams from a single crop.
- Science-Based Advocacy Works: Partnering with credible institutions to back claims and drive trials enhances both brand trust and policy engagement.
- Community First Approach Wins Loyalty: Investing in farmer training, input access, and post-harvest support cements long-term relationships.
Stay Informed with Focus Agritech
BOHECO is rewriting the script for Indian agriculture—one hemp leaf at a time. Follow their journey to explore how a humble, misunderstood crop is becoming a cornerstone of sustainable health, farming, and enterprise in India.Explore more such stories, insights, and opportunities in the agritech ecosystem.
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