In a major push towards sustainable and future-ready biomanufacturing, Bengaluru-based startup Loopworm has secured $3.25 million in a pre-Series A funding round, marking another bold step in its journey to redefine how the world produces proteins. The round was co-led by existing backer WaterBridge Ventures and Japanese venture capital firm ENRISSION INDIA CAPITAL.
This fresh injection of capital comes after Loopworm’s $3.4 million seed round, led by agritech-focused investor Omnivore. The latest funds will be channeled into commercializing Loopworm’s cutting-edge recombinant protein production platform, which is targeting sectors such as diagnostics and animal vaccines—areas that benefit from lower regulatory hurdles and high demand.
Rethinking Protein: From Silkworms, Not Steel Tanks
Founded in 2019 by Ankit Alok Bagaria and Abhi Gawri, Loopworm has already carved a niche for itself by using insect-derived proteins and fats in aquaculture and pet nutrition. Now, the company is taking a leap into the biotech big leagues with a novel, reactor-free approach to recombinant protein production.
Instead of relying on traditional fermentation tanks and genetically modified bacteria or yeast, Loopworm is pioneering a biological factory model using silkworms. These silkworms are engineered to naturally produce high-value, complex proteins, offering a production method that is not only faster and cheaper but also significantly more environmentally sustainable.
Scaling Sustainably
Loopworm already runs a 6,000-tonne-per-year insect processing facility in Bengaluru, where it processes silkworms and other farmed insects. The startup exports insect-based protein and oil products to markets in Europe, South America, and the ASEAN region, primarily serving the aquaculture and pet food industries.
“The future of protein is sustainable, scalable, and biological,” said co-founder Ankit Alok Bagaria, adding that their silkworm platform could unlock new possibilities in biopharma and agriculture.
Global Backing for a Local Vision
With support from both Indian and international VCs, Loopworm’s approach is attracting attention from investors seeking future-facing, climate-conscious solutions. WaterBridge Ventures, which backed the company previously, reaffirmed its confidence by co-leading this round, while ENRISSION INDIA CAPITAL’s participation signals strong Japan-India collaboration in deep-tech and bio-innovation.
As the global demand for proteins continues to surge, startups like Loopworm are demonstrating that India can be a global leader not just in IT, but in biotech innovation rooted in sustainability.
