Elmentoz Raises $4.5M to Launch India’s Largest Insect Protein Facility and Ditch Antibiotics in Animal Feed

The investment will enable Elmentoz to establish India’s largest Black Soldier Fly (BSF)-based smart protein manufacturing facility, with a capacity to process 2,000 metric tons of industrial byproducts per month using proprietary advanced automation technologies. The state-of-the-art cGMP-compliant facility is set to launch in January 2026, positioning India as a leader in sustainable next-generation protein for the feed industry.

Founded in 2022 by Dr. Jayashankar Das (CEO) and Dr. Padmaja Mohanty (CTO), Elmentoz leverages an IP-led innovation platform that combines genomics, proteomics, advanced automation, and cGMP manufacturing. Its flagship product lines, ELGROW and ELTIDE, deliver antimicrobial peptide (AMP)-fortified immune-smart premixes, smart protein formulations, and functional oil ingredients tailored for poultry, aquaculture, and pet food sectors.

These solutions enhance gut health, improve feed conversion ratios, and boost disease resilience, offering a viable alternative to antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) amid rising concerns over antimicrobial resistance (AMR). By utilising insects as efficient bioconverters of organic waste, Elmentoz’s approach significantly reduces land use, water consumption, and carbon emissions while addressing India’s dependence on imported functional feed additives.

The seed capital will be allocated toward:

♦Scaling the automated cGMP smart-protein manufacturing facility

♦Expanding the ELGROW and ELTIDE product portfolios

♦Advancing AMP technology and platform R&D

♦Forging strategic international partnerships

♦Building robust research, manufacturing, and commercial teams

Dr. Jayashankar Das, Founder and CEO, commented: “India, as an agrarian economy, must prioritise nutritional security, not just food security. Our research-driven insect protein and antimicrobial peptide platforms deliver consistent amino acid profiles, better gut health, and antibiotic-free performance across poultry, aquaculture, and pet segments. With rigorous genomics, proteomics, and advanced cGMP manufacturing, we can replace AGPs with targeted functional feeds that are safer, smarter, and more resilient for farmers and feed manufacturers.”

Dr. Padmaja Mohanty, Co-Founder and CTO, added: “Insects are nature’s most efficient bioconverters, and at Elmentoz, they become drivers of sustainable protein security. This funding enables us to deepen and scale our research to better understand the mechanisms driving animal health and performance and translate those insights into precision feed formulations. After all, sustainability isn’t a feature—it is the operating system for the next decade of animal nutrition.”

Christen Hveem, a Norway-based angel investor, stated: “Nutritional security is fast becoming one of the world’s most urgent priorities. India, with innovators like Elmentoz, has the capability to become a global powerhouse in next-generation smart proteins and precision nutrition for the feed industry. What Elmentoz is building is not just a company—it is a transformative platform that can shape the future of sustainable food systems.”

Elmentoz is poised to lead India’s emerging insect protein sector, creating a robust, research-driven supply chain that supports circular economy principles and enhances farmer profitability.