Avaana Capital Leads INR 18 Cr Funding in BacAlt Biosciences The startup will use the new funding to boost R&D, set up pilot production, grow its workforce, and design strategies for expanding into global markets.

Bengaluru-based biotech startup BacAlt Biosciences has raised INR 18 crore in a funding round led by early-stage investment firm Avaana Capital, with participation from Lubrizol InnoVentures, the innovation arm of global specialty chemicals company Lubrizol.

Founded in 2023 by Shruti Kutmutia and Pranav Nair, BacAlt develops sustainable, bio-based materials by transforming post-harvest crop residues into advanced biopolymers such as bacterial cellulose and poly gamma glutamic acid. These materials have applications across cosmetics, textiles, wound care, and agriculture, offering eco-friendly alternatives to harmful microplastics.

The startup plans to deploy the fresh capital towards strengthening its research and development capabilities, building pilot-scale production facilities, expanding its team, and shaping market-entry strategies for new geographies.

The brand said that its production process uses lean, energy-efficient fermentation combined with waste valorisation and circular feedstocks, reducing carbon impact while maintaining cost competitiveness.

"BacAlt's vision is to power India's emergence as a global hub for circular, bio-based specialty ingredients," said Shruti Kutmutia, cofounder of BacAlt. "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."

By delivering performance-driven bio-based polymers and specialty ingredients, BacAlt aims to support formulators in home care, personal care, agrochemicals, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals, while contributing to human and environmental well-being.

In the growing field of sustainable materials, BacAlt competes with players such as Origin Materials, Tidal Vision, and Newlight Technologies.