ADB Ventures Makes Its First Investment in Georgia, Backing Agritech Startup TelAgri
The Asian Development Bank (ADB), through its venture capital arm, ADB Ventures, has made an equity investment in TelAgri, according to an announcement by the bank.
TelAgri, a Tbilisi-based agritech and fintech company, supports agricultural lending through satellite data and AI-powered risk analysis. The investment will support TelAgri’s expansion into emerging markets, enabling financial institutions to make faster, better-informed lending decisions and improving farmers’ access to finance. This marks ADB Ventures’ first investment in Georgia and Central Asia.
According to estimates by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and ADB, agriculture remains one of the most underfinanced sectors in developing economies, with up to 70% of smallholder farmers lacking access to finance. One of the main reasons is that financial institutions often lack reliable farm-level data.
TelAgri addresses this challenge by combining satellite imagery, artificial intelligence and agronomic expertise. Its technology helps banks assess farm risks, monitor loan portfolios and identify potential problems before borrowers default.
“Agriculture is an important sector of Georgia’s economy. TelAgri is an excellent example of local innovation addressing a very practical challenge,” said Lesley Bearman Lahm, ADB Country Director for Georgia.
“With ADB’s support, TelAgri will provide valuable insights to those making critical decisions related to agriculture and finance. This will help strengthen agricultural resilience and build stronger, more sustainable economies in Georgia and Central Asia.”
The company already works with leading financial institutions and public-sector partners across the Caucasus and Central Asia, providing technology that improves agricultural lending, portfolio monitoring and food security planning.
The investment will enable TelAgri to accelerate product development, expand into new markets, strengthen partnerships with banks and governments, and further enhance its agricultural analytics platform.
“We believe that better data leads to better financial decisions. This investment is an important endorsement of our vision to build the data infrastructure that underpins agricultural financing in emerging markets. Together, we can help financial institutions lend with greater confidence while expanding access to capital for millions of farmers,” said Irakli Chikava, CEO and co-founder of TelAgri.
ADB Ventures invests in early-stage technology companies developing solutions to major development challenges across Asia and the Pacific. Its focus areas include agritech, fintech, climate resilience and inclusive growth.
