Bio-tech startup BacAlt Biosciences has raised $2 million (around Rs 18 crore) in a pre-seed funding round led by Avaana Capital, with participation from Lubrizol InnoVentures. Marking a strong early validation for its vision to replace petrochemical ingredients with sustainable, bio-based alternatives.
Scaling R&D and Pilot Production
The proceeds will be directed towards expanding R&D, building pilot production facilities, strengthening hiring, and developing go-to-market strategies for geographic expansion. The company aims to position itself at the forefront of India’s bio-manufacturing ecosystem.
Founders and Vision
Founded in 2023 by Shruti Kutmutia and Pranav Nair, BacAlt develops bio-based polymers and specialty ingredients through energy-efficient, high-throughput fermentation. Its approach leverages waste valorisation, circular feedstocks, and non-sterile fermentation to create cost-competitive, high-performance ingredients while reducing microplastic pollution.
Co-founder Kutmutia emphasized the company’s mission: “BacAlt’s vision is to power India’s emergence as a global hub for circular, bio-based speciality ingredients. The demand for high-performance, cost-competitive ingredients is real, and we are building for scale, taking India from an import-dependent market to an export-ready bio-manufacturing hub.”
Market Opportunity
India’s reliance on petrochemical imports leaves a significant gap for scalable, homegrown solutions. BacAlt aims to combine breakthroughs in microbiology, scalable fermentation, and industrial biomanufacturing to create reliable, export-ready ingredients across diverse industries. Its focus on sustainability, performance, and global scalability positions it against both multinational chemical giants and emerging deep-tech ventures.
Final Take
BacAlt’s pre-seed raise highlights the rising investor interest in climate-tech and bio-manufacturing, areas expected to define the next decade of industrial innovation. With Avaana and Lubrizol backing, the startup is poised to accelerate its journey from lab-scale R&D to global impact.
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