Odisha-born entrepreneurs revolutionising animal nutrition, raise $4M to build India’s largest smart protein facility

Odisha-born entrepreneurs Dr. Jayashankar Das and Dr. Padmaja Mohanty are making waves in the global biotech space with their startup, Elmentoz Research Pvt. Ltd., which has successfully closed its first seed funding round of $4 million from a mix of Indian and Norwegian angel investors.

 Founded in December 2022, Elmentoz Research focuses on precision animal health nutrition and smart feed solutions for poultry, aquaculture, and pet food industries. The startup is set to establish India’s largest BSF-based smart protein facility in Bhubaneswar, capable of processing 2,000 metric tons of industrial byproducts per month using proprietary advanced automation technologies. The facility is scheduled to go live in January 2026, marking a significant milestone for Odisha’s biotech ecosystem and the country’s sustainable feed sector.

 The funding will be utilized to scale the cGMP-certified smart-protein manufacturing facility, expand flagship product lines ELGROW and ELTIDE, advance antimicrobial peptide (AMP) technology, strengthen international collaborations, and grow research, manufacturing, and commercial teams.

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

 Dr. Padmaja Mohanty, CoFounder & CTO, added, “Insects are nature’s most efficient bio-converters, and at Elmentoz, they drive sustainable protein security. This funding allows us to deepen our research and scale our solutions for precision feed formulations. Sustainability isn’t just a feature—it is the operating system for the next decade of animal nutrition.”

 Christen Hveem, a Norwegian angel investor, noted, “Nutritional security is fast becoming one of the world’s most urgent priorities. India, with innovators like Elmentoz, has the potential to become a global powerhouse in smart proteins and precision nutrition for the feed industry.”

 Hub For Next-Generational Sustainable Animal Nutrition

Elmentoz is positioning Odisha as a hub for next-generation sustainable animal nutrition through its IP-led innovation platform integrating genomics, proteomics, advanced automation, and cGMP manufacturing. Its product portfolio focuses on immune-smart premixes and smart protein formulations that reduce reliance on antibiotic growth promoters, improve gut health, and enhance disease resilience.

 With its research-driven approach and Odisha roots, Elmentoz is set to redefine India’s insect-based feed industry and contribute to the global conversation on sustainable and precision animal nutrition.

 About Elmentoz Research Pvt. Ltd.

Elmentoz Research Pvt. Ltd. is a deep-tech biotech company specializing in precision animal health nutrition and smart feed solutions for poultry, aquaculture, and pets. Founded by Odisha entrepreneurs Dr. Jayashankar Das and Dr. Padmaja Mohanty, the company leverages genomics, proteomics, advanced automation, and cGMP manufacturing to produce functional proteins and antimicrobial peptides. Locations include Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar, India.