Argus News - Elmentoz Funding Boosts Sustainable Feed and Precision Nutrition Industry

Bhubaneswar, Dec 17: In a landmark development for India’s sustainable feed industry, Odisha-based Elmentoz Research Pvt. Ltd., backed by investors from India and Norway, is set to build the country’s largest smart protein facility. The deep-tech biotechnology startup has secured $4.5 million in seed funding to revolutionize animal nutrition through precision feed technology and insect-based protein solutions.

The upcoming facility, scheduled to open in January 2026, will process 2,000 metric tonnes of industrial byproducts each month using proprietary automation technologies. Positioned as India’s first advanced BSF (Black Soldier Fly)-based smart protein plant, it represents a major step toward reducing the nation’s reliance on imported feed additives and tackling biosecurity challenges such as antimicrobial resistance.

Elmentoz’s innovation platform integrates genomics, proteomics, advanced automation, and cGMP manufacturing to deliver immune-smart premixes, functional oils, and protein formulations under its flagship brands ELGROW and ELTIDE. The company’s precision-nutrition approach aims to enhance gut health, improve feed conversion, and replace antibiotic growth promoters with safer, sustainable alternatives.

The seed capital will be used to scale the automated cGMP smart-protein manufacturing facility, expand product portfolios, advance antimicrobial peptide (AMP) technology, strengthen international partnerships, and grow research and commercial teams.

Dr. Jayashankar Das, Founder and CEO, emphasized the importance of nutritional security: “India must prioritize nutritional security alongside food security. Our insect protein and AMP platforms deliver consistent amino acid profiles and antibiotic-free performance across poultry, aquaculture, and pet segments.”

Co-founder and CTO Dr. Padmaja Mohanty added: “Insects are nature’s most efficient bio-converters. At Elmentoz, they drive sustainable protein security, making sustainability the operating system for the next decade of animal nutrition.”

Norwegian investor Christen Hveem noted that India, with innovators like Elmentoz, is poised to become a global leader in next-generation smart proteins and precision nutrition.

With this breakthrough, Elmentoz positions itself as a transformative platform in the global insect-enabled feed industry, combining sustainability, innovation, and resilience to redefine the future of animal nutrition.