Indian aquatech startups are tackling longstanding issues in fish farming such as poor feed quality, disease outbreaks, and weak supply chains. By leveraging technology, these startups are rewriting the future of aquaculture in India. AI, IoT, blockchain, and farm advisory platforms are empowering farmers with better tools to monitor pond conditions, optimize feeding schedules, reduce mortality rates, and directly access markets ultimately boosting both productivity and farmer income.
India’s Fish Industry Transformation:
India is the second largest fish producing country with around 8% share in global fish production. Over the past two decades, India’s fisheries sector has witnessed significant growth and transformation. From technological advancements to policy reforms, the period from 2004 to 2024 has been marked by milestones that have bolstered India’s position in global fisheries and aquaculture. The Union Budget 2025-26, proposed the highest ever total annual budgetary support of Rs. 2,703.67 crores for the fisheries sector.
However, traditional fish farming faced multiple challenges:
• Fragmented supply chains
• Limited access to quality feed and seed
• Poor disease management
• Inadequate cold-chain and market linkages
These limitations kept productivity low and post-harvest losses high. To address these, a new generation of aquatech startups has emerged, bringing technology-driven solutions to modernize the sector.
Startups Transforming Indian Aquaculture:
The Indian aquaculture ecosystem is undergoing a dramatic shift, thanks to technology-driven solutions that help farmers make smarter decisions, manage disease better, and access wider markets. Below are some of the most influential players leading this transformation:
1. Aquaconnect
| Founded | Founders | Headquarters |
| 2017 | Rajamanohar Somasundaram and Sanjai Kumar | Chennai, India |
Aquaconnect operates an AI-driven farm advisory platform that helps fish and shrimp farmers monitor pond conditions, control water quality, and optimize feeding schedules. Their platform uses predictive analytics to reduce risks and improve yields. By linking farmers with input suppliers and buyers, Aquaconnect creates an end-to-end solution that improves both production and profitability.
2. Aquapulse
| Founded | Founders | Headquarters |
| 2023 | Ananya Mohapatra and Abhishek Dwivedy, Abhilash Dwivedy | Bhubaneswar, India |
This startup focuses on minimizing post-harvest losses by connecting farmers directly to markets. Aquapulse is particularly focused on promoting sustainable aquaculture practices, encouraging eco-friendly methods, and empowering farmers to adopt climate-smart fish farming techniques.
3. Aqua Doctor Solutions
| Founded | Founders | Headquarters |
| 2020 | Dr. Debtanu Barman | Kolkata, India |
Specializing in fish medicine, biofloc technology, and expert guidance, Aqua Doctor Solutions helps farmers improve fish health and yields. Their consultancy services also support farmers in disease diagnosis and treatment, which is a critical need in the industry.
4. Manjha Technologies
| Founded | Founders | Headquarters |
| 2020 | Shobhit Aggarwal | Hisar, India |
Manjha Technologies provides a platform for procuring high-quality fish seed and feed. They also conduct training sessions for small-scale farmers, helping them implement better aquaculture practices and improve their profitability.
5. Captain Fresh
| Founded | Founders | Headquarters |
| 2019 | Utham Gowda | Bengaluru, India |
Captain Fresh is a B2B seafood aggregator that connects producers with retailers and restaurants. By streamlining the seafood supply chain and ensuring freshness, the company helps farmers and fisherfolk get better prices for their produce while giving buyers reliable, traceable seafood.
6. Fishwaale
| Founded | Founders | Headquarters |
| 2021 | Razaqul Islam | Assam, India |
Fishwaale has pioneered India’s first online fish marketplace. This digital platform directly connects fish farmers with consumers, bypassing middlemen and ensuring better income for farmers while giving consumers access to fresh fish.
7. Bharat Fishmate Pvt Ltd
| Founded | Founders | Headquarters |
| 2024 | Surajit Kashyapi | West Bengal, India |
This company uses blockchain technology to offer climate-resilient fish seed solutions and full supply chain traceability. Farmers benefit from knowing the genetic history of their seed, which leads to healthier stocks and more predictable yields.
8. Blue Wave Aquaculture
| Founded | Founders | Headquarters |
| 2015 | Shaurya Agarwal | Kolkata,WB, India |
Blue Wave specializes in high-value trout farming using Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS). This method drastically reduces water usage and allows for year-round production, making it ideal for meeting both domestic and export demand.
9. AquaExchange
| Founded | Founders | Headquarters |
| 2024 | Pavan Kosaraju | Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh |
AquaExchange is a B2B marketplace designed to connect aquaculture farmers with suppliers, equipment providers, and buyers. Their goal is to create a seamless digital ecosystem for transactions and logistics.
10. Eruvaka Technologies
| Founded | Founders | Headquarters |
| 2012 | Kunal Chaudhary | Hyderabad, Telangana |
Eruvaka is one of the pioneers in aquatech, offering IoT-enabled smart feeding systems and pond monitoring devices. Farmers can remotely monitor dissolved oxygen levels, pH, and temperature, allowing them to take timely action and avoid fish mortality.
Challenges Faced by Indian Aquaculture:
Despite rapid progress, Indian aquaculture is not without its hurdles:
High Technology Costs: Advanced systems like RAS, automated feeders, and IoT sensors require significant upfront investment, which can deter smallholder farmers.
Disease Management: Bacterial, viral, and parasitic diseases can wipe out entire harvests. Without proper biosecurity measures, farmers remain vulnerable.
Cold-chain Gaps: Lack of cold storage facilities and refrigerated transport leads to spoilage, reducing profitability.
Access to Finance: Farmers often lack collateral to secure loans, making it hard to invest in modern equipment.
Market Access: Farmers in remote areas still struggle to reach high-value urban or export markets, reducing their earning potential.
These challenges highlight the importance of continued government support, private investment, and farmer training programs to ensure inclusive growth.
Charting the Course for India’s Fish Revolution:
The future of aquaculture in India looks extremely promising. Key trends shaping the sector include:
Technology Integration: AI and IoT solutions will make farms more data-driven, allowing predictive analysis of disease outbreaks and better decision-making.
Sustainable Practices: Widespread adoption of biofloc systems and RAS technology will enable more efficient water use, reduce environmental impact, and improve long-term viability.
Financial Inclusion: Embedded fintech solutions and digital credit platforms will make it easier for farmers to invest in technology.
Market Expansion: Digital platforms and B2B aggregators will connect farmers with larger markets, including export opportunities.
Government Initiatives: National Fisheries Policy, PM Matsya Sampada Yojana, and other schemes will continue to provide infrastructure, subsidies, and training.
