From IIT Kharagpur to Revolutionizing the Poultry Industry: The Eggoz Journey

In a classic entrepreneurial tale, four IIT Kharagpur alumni – Abhishek Negi, Uttam Kumar, Aditya Singh, and Pankaj Pandey – embarked on a mission to bridge the gap between poultry production and consumption in India. Their venture, Eggoz, has not only filled this void but has also leveraged technology to transform the poultry farming landscape. This article explores the journey of these visionary entrepreneurs and how Eggoz is reshaping the egg industry.

Identifying the Gap

Around 2017, after successful careers post-graduation, the quartet decided to revisit their long-standing dream of entrepreneurship. Delving into the complexities of the Indian poultry market, they identified a significant disconnect. The southern region produced 70% of the eggs, while the northern region consumed 65%, revealing a geographical demand-supply imbalance.

A Multi-faceted Challenge:

Eggoz was founded as a response to various challenges in the Indian poultry industry, including low protein indexes, unhygienic practices, and a lack of formal players. Abhishek Negi, the driving force behind Eggoz, joined forces with his IIT friends to dive into this fragmented sector in 2017.

After a year of rigorous research and fine-tuning their business model, Eggoz established its poultry farm in Bihar in 2018. Their commitment to the venture led them to invest their personal savings and secure seed funding from Tracxn Labs and angel investors like Narendra Sankar and Sunil Mishra.

Revolutionizing Egg Production:

Eggoz specializes in producing brown, white, and Nutra eggs. These eggs are priced from Rs 75 for 330 grams to Rs 400 for 1.65 kg, catering to diverse consumer preferences. The company’s revenues surged from Rs 7.6 crore in FY20 to Rs 12 crore in FY21.

Technology forms the core of Eggoz‘s operations. The founders recognized the need for an asset-light model and built an easy-to-use app for farmers. This app allows farmers to enter crucial data about their farms, seek advice from veterinarians, and interact seamlessly with the company.

IoT for Quality Assurance:

Eggoz implemented IoT devices in its fields to monitor environmental parameters such as humidity, temperature, and ammonia concentration. Real-time visibility of these factors ensures healthy chicks, proper nutrition, and high-quality eggs.

Uplifting Farmers and Ensuring Quality:

Eggoz has contributed to raising farmers’ incomes by approximately 50%. The company’s end-to-end tracking system, enabled by in-house software, ensures that every egg’s journey is meticulously monitored, from production to sale.

Facing Challenges Head-On:

The Eggoz journey was far from straightforward. The founders embarked on this venture without prior industry knowledge. From convincing farmers to collaborate with a relatively unknown entity to navigating the complexities of the poultry business, the co-founders overcame numerous challenges.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought its own set of challenges, including supply chain disruptions and worker migrations. However, Eggoz pivoted by producing masks during the lockdown, sustaining the business and supporting farmers during challenging times.

The Road Ahead:

Eggoz ventured into online sales and launched a D2C model to deliver eggs directly to consumers’ doorsteps. The company is eyeing expansion across India, with a revenue target of Rs 25 crore for FY22. The D2C segment is poised to play a pivotal role in achieving this goal.

Abhishek Negi, Uttam Kumar, Aditya Singh, and Pankaj Pandey’s entrepreneurial journey with Eggoz exemplifies their vision and determination. By addressing the poultry industry’s gaps and harnessing technology, Eggoz has carved a niche in the market. As it looks towards nationwide expansion, the brand’s commitment to farmers, quality, and innovation continues to drive its success story.