StrainX Bioworks, an India-based synthetic biology and precision-fermentation startup, has raised US$13 million in a round led by Prime Venture Partners and Leo Capital.

Good Startup, Sparrow Capital, Sun Icon Ventures, Dholakia Ventures, and WindT (IIT Delhi) Angels also participated.

The startup said it spent the past two years in stealth as it built its research and engineering capabilities, and now has more than 100 scientists, engineers, and operators.

It focuses on high-value food ingredients and other biomolecules, including proteins, enzymes, and metabolites.

StrainX said it has demonstrated fermentation at 10,000 litres, a milestone that industry benchmarks classify as demonstration scale.

It is now preparing to move to 100,000-litre production capacity, which is generally considered commercial scale in precision fermentation.

In India, food ingredients made through precision fermentation require prior approval under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s NSF Regulations. This pathway has been used for products such as Perfect Day’s non-animal whey protein.

The funding comes amid broader activity in India’s smart protein sector. According to GFI India, more than 15 companies in the country are working on cultivated meat and fermentation.

🔗 Source: The Economic Times