Walmart, the world’s largest omnichannel retailer, has announced new pilot projects with three Indian startups—KBCols Sciences, GreenPod Labs, and Cropin—to enhance its U.S. supply chain and sourcing operations. These collaborations aim to improve product quality, reduce waste, and promote sustainability.

The startups, selected during last year’s Walmart Growth Summit in India, bring unique innovations to the table. Their solutions are expected to benefit Walmart’s global supply chain while ensuring fresher and more sustainable products for consumers. Furthermore, the Walmart Growth Summit, which is part of a series held in countries like India, Mexico, and Chile, serves as a platform to connect entrepreneurs with Walmart’s extensive supply chain network.

These pilot projects align closely with Walmart’s broader goal to make its supply chains more sustainable and efficient. Highlighting this commitment, Kyle Carlyle, vice president of sourcing innovation & surety of supply at Walmart, said, “By collaborating with global innovators, we’re leveraging fresh ideas to build a more resilient supply network.”

Among the selected startups, KBCols Sciences, based in Pune, produces natural, non-GMO textile dyes from agricultural waste. These dyes, which require less water and energy during production, offer an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic dyes. The pilot will specifically test these dyes on fabrics like woven materials and cotton. Explaining the significance of this initiative, Dr. Vaishali Kulkarni, CEO of KBCols Sciences, remarked, “This project reflects our shared commitment to addressing environmental challenges while delivering high-quality, more responsibly-produced products.”

Similarly, GreenPod Labs, a Chennai-based startup, focuses on creating sachets filled with plant extracts that slow the ripening of fruits and vegetables by mimicking their natural defenses. These sachets extend the freshness of produce, enabling cost-effective shipping and reducing waste. To test this innovation, Walmart is collaborating with UC Davis. CEO Deepak Rajmohan expressed his excitement, stating, “Working with a global player like Walmart revalidates the importance of our work in reducing post-harvest losses and improving quality.”

In addition, Cropin, a Bengaluru-based company, offers an AI-driven platform designed to improve crop yield predictions, optimise resources, and ensure consistent harvests. Walmart will leverage this technology to gain deeper insights into crop health, yield estimations, and seasonal transitions. Krishna Kumar, CEO of Cropin, highlighted the potential impact of this collaboration, saying, “By working with Walmart, we aim to build resilient and sustainable food systems.”

These latest pilots build on Walmart’s ongoing work with innovators such as Agritask, unspun, and Rubi Laboratories.

Last year, Walmart partnered with IIT Madras to launch the Walmart Centre for Tech Excellence, aimed at empowering MSMEs in the manufacturing and retail sectors by developing AI and digitisation solutions to drive operational efficiency, profitability, and upskilling in India’s MSME community.
Furthermore, Walmart is looking to triple its sourcing from India to $10 billion annually by 2027, as part of its commitment to supporting Indian MSMEs and fostering job creation, while leveraging initiatives like Walmart Vriddhi to modernize local suppliers and expand its global supply chain.

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