EvolveX, an early-stage initiative launched by We Founder Circle, has disclosed its latest investment in Himshakti, a startup committed to revitalizing the livelihoods of remote Himalayan villagers through sustainable agricultural practices. Himshakti, based in Uttarakhand, is actively engaging with over 12,000 farmers, predominantly women, to promote economic resurgence at the grassroots level.

Established by Harshit Sehdev, Himshakti gained investor attention during its participation in Cohort 3 of EvolveX, launched in April 2023. In its pre-seed funding round, the startup secured INR 83 lakhs (approximately USD 99.8K), with EvolveX leading as the primary investor and We Founder Circle as a co-investor. Notably, prominent venture capital funds like Artha Venture Fund and Auxano, alongside VKJ Projects (a prominent Uttarakhand construction company) and notable angel investors, also contributed to this funding round. The raised capital is earmarked for expanding the team, bolstering sales and marketing efforts, and introducing new products. Himshakti's strategic plan includes establishing a market presence in over 1,000 stores across North India in the next three months.

COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a noticeable surge in the demand for healthier consumable alternatives. Against this backdrop, the appeal of pristine Himalayan agricultural products stands unparalleled. Himshakti's product offerings seamlessly align with the escalating preference for health-conscious choices among consumers. Particularly commendable is Himshakti's commitment to women empowerment, evident through its extensive network of over 12,000 women farmers. At EvolveX, we are steadfast in our commitment to supporting their transformative journey.

Presently incubated at IIM Kashipur and officially recognized by the Uttarakhand government, Himshakti holds the distinction of being the first company in India to introduce India’s pink salt in collaboration with Hindustan Salts Ltd and Sambhar Salts Ltd. Having been selected by IIM Kashipur from a pool of over 600 startups under the RKVY Saksham scheme in 2019, this recognition provided Himshakti with a grant and an enriching two-month campus entrepreneurship training program.