WEGRO addresses critical market gaps in agricultural financing by positioning itself at the intersection of six transformative fintech categories, creating a comprehensive ecosystem that serves both farmers and investors. Financial Inclusion WEGRO tackles the fundamental challenge that fewer than 5% of rural households in developing regions access formal credit. Traditional banking systems exclude smallholder farmers due to lack of collateral, credit history, and complex documentation requirements. The platform creates verifiable digital financial histories for previously unbankable farmers, enabling microloans based on agricultural data rather than traditional credit scores. Through mobile-first solutions and tiered KYC protocols, WEGRO eliminates geographic barriers and bureaucratic obstacles that prevent rural producers from accessing essential financial services. Alternative Investments The platform democratizes agricultural investment by creating fractional ownership opportunities that were previously inaccessible to retail investors. Instead of requiring substantial capital to invest in farmland or agricultural projects, investors can participate with minimal amounts, opening agricultural markets to a broader investment community.l WEGRO transforms illiquid agricultural assets into tradeable instruments, offering investors 15-25% annual returns compared to traditional 7-13% agricultural investments while providing farmers with immediate capital access. Green FinTech With global investment in climate-focused fintech surpassing $50 billion as of 2024 , WEGRO addresses the critical need for sustainable agricultural financing. The platform incentivizes environmentally-friendly farming practices through preferential lending rates and carbon credit monetization. Green financial products including crop insurance, precision farming loans, and sustainable equipment financing help farmers transition from traditional to climate-smart agriculture while mitigating environmental risks. Tokenization WEGRO leverages blockchain technology to tokenize agricultural assets, creating immutable, transparent records of crop ownership, land rights, and commodity storage. Farmers can tokenize future harvests to secure upfront capital while investors can trade these tokens like commodities. This approach has demonstrated transaction cost reductions of up to 55% and liquidity improvements of 300% compared to traditional agricultural investments. Smart contracts automate payments and eliminate intermediary disputes, ensuring transparent, guaranteed transactions. InvestTech The platform employs advanced analytics and AI-driven risk assessment, collecting over 40 data points including satellite imagery, weather patterns, soil health, and historical yields to accurately price agricultural loans. This technology-enabled approach reduces information asymmetries and enables more sophisticated investment decision-making. Real-time market data integration provides price discovery and hedging options, protecting both farmers and investors from commodity price volatility. Impact Investing WEGRO aligns financial returns with measurable social and environmental outcomes through performance-based impact models. The platform channels capital toward sustainable farming practices, rural community development, and climate resilience initiatives. With the agricultural sector requiring €28-35 billion annually for climate-neutral transformation in the EU alone , WEGRO creates scalable mechanisms for impact investors to support agricultural sustainability while achieving competitive returns. The integrated approach addresses the estimated $2.5 trillion global agricultural financing gap by combining these six categories into a cohesive ecosystem that serves smallholder farmers, institutional investors, and impact-focused capital simultaneously.
Mahmudur Rahman is the co-founder and CEO of WeGro, an agri-fintech startup based in Dhaka, Bangladesh, launched in 2021 to empower smallholder farmers by providing access to finance, agricultural inputs, and markets through technology-driven solutions.
Background and Early Life
Mahmudur Rahman grew up in a farming family and was influenced by traditional agricultural practices observed during his childhood visits to Feni.
He completed his Bachelor of Business Administration at East West University, Dhaka, graduating in 2015.
Before venturing into entrepreneurship, Mahmudur spent six years working at various companies such as Robi, ACI, Reckitt-Benckiser, and agri-based startups like Khaas Food.
Entrepreneurial Journey
He first experimented with agricultural entrepreneurship by investing in a cattle farm and later launched a startup called Goshat in 2019, which faced operational hurdles during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Partnering with Alvi Rahman, whom he met at Khaas Food, Mahmudur started WeGro in 2021 with a mission to transform agriculture in Bangladesh.
The company began with a small office and initial investment raised from personal networks, later expanding rapidly through crowdfunding and strategic partnerships.
Achievements and Impact
Under Mahmudur’s leadership, WeGro has grown to serve over 20,000 farmers across Bangladesh, providing credit, agricultural inputs, and insurance solutions.
The startup collaborates with banks and microfinance institutions, offering loans and market access for various crops and livestock.
WeGro’s efforts have been recognized in accelerator programs and impact investment platforms, strengthening its reach and impact on farmers’ livelihoods.
Leadership Philosophy
Mahmudur advocates for loving the problem being solved, persistence, and deep experimentation in entrepreneurship, stressing the importance of patience and resilience when tackling real-world challenges.