In a major boost to India’s emerging insect biotechnology sector, GreenGrahi, a next-generation biotech startup, has raised ₹32 crore (approximately $3.8 million) in a record-breaking seed funding round. The round was led by Avaana Capital, India’s foremost institutional investor in deep tech and frontier innovation, and marks the largest investment to date in India’s insect-based protein and agri-biotech space.
Credits: The Economic Times
Turning Bugs Into Breakthroughs
Founded by Shivali Sugand and Siddharth Sharma, GreenGrahi is harnessing the power of the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) and its microbiome to address some of the most pressing challenges in agriculture and food systems.
The company uses agricultural waste as feedstock for BSF larvae, converting it into high-performance insect proteins, functional oils, and hydrolysates. These are used as sustainable, nutrient-rich alternatives to traditional animal feeds such as fishmeal and soy. But that’s not all—GreenGrahi also produces a new generation of biological agri-inputs, including biofertilizers, biopesticides, and biostimulants that are safer for the environment and enhance soil health and crop yields.
Impressive Results and Real-World Impact
GreenGrahi’s products aren’t just theoretical—they’re already showing strong traction in the field:
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7% improvement in shrimp growth and survival rates
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10% higher weight gain and 28% more egg production in poultry
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Enhanced gut health and palatability in pet food
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25–30% higher crop yields, improved soil nutrient retention, and reduced pest attacks
These benefits translate into higher farmer incomes, improved livestock health, and reduced reliance on environmentally harmful synthetic inputs. It’s innovation that touches multiple parts of the food chain—all the way from soil to seafood.
The Funding That’s Fueling the Future
The ₹32 crore seed round was not only a significant funding milestone for GreenGrahi, but also a signal of growing investor confidence in sustainable biotech solutions.
Alongside lead investor Avaana Capital, the round saw participation from existing backers like Huddle Ventures, Campus Fund, and Blume Founders Fund. High-profile angel investors also joined in, including:
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Nitin Sharma (Nexus Ventures)
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Anchit Gupta (Samara Capital)
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David Chen (Equilibrium Capital)
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Sameer Brij Verma (Northpoint Capital)
These funds will power the construction of India’s first and largest BSF bio-factory, which will be capable of processing 150 tons of feedstock daily. The investment will also help GreenGrahi expand its scientific team and venture into global markets like the US, UK, and EU—where demand for sustainable protein and agri-inputs is rapidly growing.
Why This Matters: A Global Problem Meets a Scalable Solution
As wild fish stocks decline and demand for protein skyrockets, the pressure on aquafeed and livestock feed is increasing. At the same time, agriculture is under the spotlight for its environmental footprint, including overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
GreenGrahi is uniquely positioned to address both challenges—offering cost-effective, science-driven alternatives that are scalable and globally relevant. Its proprietary biomanufacturing platform ensures consistent quality, high conversion efficiency, and mass-market pricing, helping move insect protein and biological agri-inputs out of the niche and into the mainstream.
Backed by Science, Built for Scale
“Our goal is to make high-quality, science-backed feed and agri-inputs accessible and affordable for global markets,” said Siddharth Sharma, Co-founder of GreenGrahi. “With this new funding, we’re ready to build a robust supply chain and make measurable impact across multiple sectors.”
According to Shruti Srivastava, Investment Director at Avaana Capital, “GreenGrahi’s biotech platform is category-defining. It offers a resilient solution to the global food security challenge by leveraging waste-to-value science and frontier innovation.”
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Credits: Business Standard
About GreenGrahi
GreenGrahi is a biotech startup using insect-based solutions to upcycle agricultural waste into high-quality protein and organic agri-inputs. With a focus on circular economy, climate resilience, and food system transformation, the company is leading India’s charge in insect bio-manufacturing.
GreenGrahi’s journey reflects a paradigm shift in how we think about food, farming, and waste. As the world searches for scalable, sustainable solutions, this tiny fly might just be the big idea we’ve been waiting for.
