Building the future of animal nutrition: Elmentoz raises $4 million in seed funding

Bhubaneswar, Dec 17: Elmentoz Research Pvt. Ltd., a deep-tech biotechnology startup focused on precision animal health nutrition and smart feed solutions, has successfully closed its first seed funding round, raising USD 4 million from a group of angel investors based in India and Norway. The funding marks a significant milestone for the company as it moves to establish India’s largest Black Soldier Fly (BSF)-based smart protein manufacturing facility.

Powered by proprietary advanced automation technologies, the upcoming facility will have the capacity to process nearly 2,000 metric tonnes of industrial byproducts every month. Scheduled to become operational by January 2026, the plant is expected to play a pivotal role in strengthening India’s sustainable feed ecosystem and accelerating the adoption of next-generation smart protein solutions.

The fresh capital will help Elmentoz fast-track its mission to develop sustainable, biosecure, and antibiotic-free feed solutions, while reducing India’s dependence on imported functional feed additives. The company aims to address key challenges such as antimicrobial resistance, biosecurity risks, and rising input costs, while improving overall farm productivity and profitability.

Elmentoz’s innovation platform integrates genomics, proteomics, advanced automation, and cGMP manufacturing to produce AMP-fortified immune-smart premixes, smart protein formulations, and functional oils under its flagship brands, ELGROW and ELTIDE. These products are designed to enhance gut health, improve feed conversion efficiency, and build disease resilience, offering a viable alternative to antibiotic growth promoters.

Seed funding will be deployed to scale its automated cGMP manufacturing facility, expand product portfolios, advance antimicrobial peptide technology, strengthen global partnerships, and grow its research, manufacturing, and commercial teams.

Commenting on the development, Founder and CEO Dr. Jayashankar Das said India must focus on nutritional security alongside food security, adding that Elmentoz’s research-driven insect protein platform offers safer, smarter, and more resilient solutions for farmers and feed manufacturers. Co-Founder and CTO Dr. Padmaja Mohanty highlighted insects’ unmatched efficiency as bio-converters and emphasised that sustainability lies at the core of next-generation animal nutrition.

Norwegian angel investor Christen Hveem described Elmentoz as a transformative platform capable of positioning India as a global leader in smart proteins and precision nutrition for the feed industry.