StrainX Bioworks raises US$13 million to scale precision fermentation platform

Indian synthetic biology startup StrainX Bioworks has raised US$13 million in a funding round co-led by Prime Venture Partners and Leo Capital.

• StrainX Bioworks secured US$13 million to expand fermentation infrastructure, R&D operations, and commercial production capabilities in India and international markets.
• The company planned to increase its fermentation capacity from 10,000 liters to 100,000 liters over the next two years.
• The startup developed alternative proteins and bio-based ingredients using synthetic biology and precision fermentation technologies.

The round also included participation from Good Startup, Sparrow Capital, Sun Icon Ventures, Dholakia Ventures, and WindT Angels.

Founded in 2023 by Akshay Mittal and Alok Malaviya, the Bhopal-based company develops alternative proteins and other bio-based ingredients using synthetic biology and precision fermentation. Its products target sectors including food, nutrition, healthcare, agriculture, cosmetics, and materials.

The company disclosed that the funding would support expansion of its research and development operations, scaling of fermentation infrastructure, and acceleration of commercial production across India and international markets, including the USA.

StrainX has emerged from stealth after spending the past two years building capabilities in strain engineering, fermentation, and process scale-up. The company currently operates a bio-manufacturing facility in Bhopal with a fermentation capacity of 10,000 liters and planned to increase capacity tenfold over the next two years.

Part of the funding will also support expansion of its Bengaluru research laboratory, recruitment of additional scientists, and growth of its engineering teams. The startup currently employs around 100 people and planned to double its workforce by the end of the financial year.

Synthetic biology involves engineering microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast, and fungi to produce proteins and other molecules traditionally sourced from plants or animals. These microorganisms are then scaled through industrial fermentation systems to manufacture ingredients in controlled environments.

While the technology has long been used in pharmaceuticals, companies are increasingly exploring its use in food and consumer products as production costs fall and demand for sustainable alternatives grows.

“Bio-manufacturing is going to define the next decade of manufacturing,” said Mittal.

“The last hundred years were defined by chemical manufacturing. Technology has now advanced to the point where fermentation engineering and bio-manufacturing can produce things cheaper and at better quality and price points than older methods,” he added.