Singapore-headquartered agritech startup Rize, founded by Bengaluru-based entrepreneur Dhruv Sawhney, has raised $31 million in a Series B funding round comprising both equity and debt financing. The fresh capital will be used to expand operations, strengthen the company’s technology platform, and accelerate the adoption of sustainable rice farming practices across Asia.
The equity round saw participation from BNP Paribas Asset Management Alts, Temasek, The Rockefeller Foundation, and Breakthrough Energy Ventures, while debt financing was provided by United Overseas Bank (UOB), Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV), and Temasek Foundation.
Expanding Sustainable Agriculture Across Southeast Asia
Rize is focused on transforming rice cultivation by helping farmers improve productivity while reducing greenhouse gas emissions through technology-driven farming solutions.
The company currently operates across Southeast Asia, working closely with farming communities to promote sustainable agricultural practices that enhance crop yields and improve environmental outcomes.
With the newly raised capital, Rize plans to strengthen its presence in Vietnam and Indonesia, while also exploring expansion into a new market. India is among the shortlisted countries being considered for the company’s next phase of growth.
Building Climate-Resilient Rice Farming
Rice cultivation is one of the largest contributors to agricultural greenhouse gas emissions globally. Rize aims to address this challenge by combining technology, sustainable farming practices, and farmer partnerships to improve productivity while lowering the environmental impact of rice production.
By leveraging digital tools and climate-smart farming techniques, the startup enables farmers to adopt more efficient cultivation methods that contribute to higher yields, better resource utilization, and reduced emissions.
Strong Investor Backing Continues
The latest funding builds on Rize’s $14 million Series A round in 2024, which was co-led by Breakthrough Energy Ventures, GenZero, Temasek, and Wavemaker Impact.
With continued backing from global climate-focused investors and financial institutions, the company is well-positioned to accelerate its mission of making rice farming more sustainable while expanding across key agricultural markets in Asia.
As demand grows for climate-resilient agriculture and low-carbon food production, Rize is aiming to play a significant role in helping farmers adopt technologies that improve both economic outcomes and environmental sustainability.
By: Arushi Agarwal
