• Startup Pulse
    Qiroko raises ₹1.5 crore in a pre-seed round led by ISV Capital, with angel participation. Manastu Space raises ₹22 crore from Gandhi Securities, Thacker Legacy Trusts and angel investors in an ongoing round. BAAS Technologies raises ₹49.98 lakh from AIC-RNTU Foundation under the GENESIS Investment Component. Docterz raises ₹5 crore in funding from Vineeta Singh, Avnish Anand and around 20 doctors who use the platform. AceBlend raises $9.91 million in a Series A2 round led by 3one4 Capital, with Fireside Ventures participating. Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre raises ₹28 crore in a Series A round led by Alkemi Growth Capital. Carbelim raises ₹10 crore from the IIT Madras Unicorn Frontier Fund. Viridian Ingni Propulsion raises ₹1.47 crore in a pre-seed round led by Inflection Point Ventures. Venttup raises $3 million in a pre-Series A round led by Rainmatter and Unicorn India Ventures. ISLAND Beauty raises ₹2.58 crore in funding from AJVC and angel investors. Qiroko raises ₹1.5 crore in a pre-seed round led by ISV Capital, with angel participation. Manastu Space raises ₹22 crore from Gandhi Securities, Thacker Legacy Trusts and angel investors in an ongoing round. BAAS Technologies raises ₹49.98 lakh from AIC-RNTU Foundation under the GENESIS Investment Component. Docterz raises ₹5 crore in funding from Vineeta Singh, Avnish Anand and around 20 doctors who use the platform. AceBlend raises $9.91 million in a Series A2 round led by 3one4 Capital, with Fireside Ventures participating. Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre raises ₹28 crore in a Series A round led by Alkemi Growth Capital. Carbelim raises ₹10 crore from the IIT Madras Unicorn Frontier Fund. Viridian Ingni Propulsion raises ₹1.47 crore in a pre-seed round led by Inflection Point Ventures. Venttup raises $3 million in a pre-Series A round led by Rainmatter and Unicorn India Ventures. ISLAND Beauty raises ₹2.58 crore in funding from AJVC and angel investors.
  • Fermenta Biotech Approves INR 110 Crore Capacity Expansion at Dahej Facility

    Fermenta Biotech

    Fermenta Biotech, a manufacturer of nutritional ingredients, APIs, green chemistry enzymes, and nutritional premixes, has approved a capital investment of ₹110 crore to expand production capacities at its existing Dahej facility in Gujarat.

    The Board of Directors cleared the proposal as part of the company’s long-term strategy to scale its Vitamin D3 and sustainable biocatalysis capabilities.

    The investment reinforces Fermenta Biotech’s position as a fully integrated global manufacturer of Vitamin D3 API while supporting its green chemistry initiatives.

    The expansion program will be executed in phases during FY26 and FY27 through a mix of internal accruals and debt.

    Also Read: Fermenta Biotech Granted Patent for Sustainable Plant-Based Vitamin D3 Manufacturing

    Fermenta Biotech Expansion to Boost Commercial-Scale Plant-Based Vitamin D3

    A significant component of the expansion includes establishing commercial-scale manufacturing for plant-based Vitamin D3.

    Fermenta recently secured process patent protection in India for this innovation, becoming one of the first companies globally to commercialize sustainable, plant-derived Vitamin D3 for pharmaceutical, dietary supplement, and food fortification markets.

    This patented technology strengthens Fermenta Biotech’s differentiated capability to serve the growing demand for vegan and eco-friendly nutritional ingredients.

    Fermenta Biotech Expands Green Chemistry Enzyme Capacities

    Under its green chemistry portfolio, Fermenta Biotech will expand production capacities for industrial enzymes including CAL-B Lipase and Penicillin G Acylase (PGA). These enzymes are critical biocatalysts used in pharmaceutical manufacturing and chiral chemistry.

    The company’s leadership in PGA dates back to 1986 when it became India’s first manufacturer of the enzyme. Its proprietary NPGA technology and DILBEADS immobilization platform enable high conversion rates and improved operational stability, supporting sustainable antibiotic and fine chemical manufacturing.

    The enzyme capacity expansion also aligns with increased domestic investments under India’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for penicillin G and semi-synthetic penicillin manufacturing.

    Also Read: Fermenta and NIFTEM-T Collaborate on Nutrition-Focused Innovation

    Fermenta Biotech to Manufacture High-Value Vitamin D3 Derivatives

    The investment program will also support commercial-scale manufacturing of Vitamin D3 derivatives, including Calcifediol—a next-generation Vitamin D3 metabolite with enhanced clinical relevance.

    These high-value derivatives strengthen Fermenta’s product portfolio for pharmaceutical and nutritional applications worldwide, particularly in markets requiring advanced Vitamin D3 formats for therapeutic interventions.

    Prashant Nagre, Managing Director of Fermenta Biotech, said: “The sustained global prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency continues to drive structural growth in the Vitamin D3 market. New scientific evidence broadening its therapeutic applications further strengthens long-term demand. As an early mover in plant-derived Vitamin D3, we are well positioned to serve the rapidly expanding vegan and sustainable nutrition markets.

    Our green chemistry enzyme platform, backed by nearly four decades of expertise, aligns with the pharmaceutical industry’s shift toward sustainable biocatalytic processes.

    The ₹110 crore investment marks a significant step in Fermenta’s journey to scale science-driven manufacturing and deliver sustainable solutions that create customer value.

    With our DBT-approved R&D Excellence Centre and global manufacturing capabilities, we are confident of strong growth and profitability in the coming years.”

    Author

    • Salil Urunkar

      Salil Urunkar is a senior journalist and the editorial mind behind Sahyadri Startups. With years of experience covering Pune’s entrepreneurial rise, he’s passionate about telling the real stories of founders, disruptors, and game-changers.

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