Bengaluru-based Bio-AI startup secures pre-seed funding to develop real-time intelligent fermentation systems and accelerate the global shift toward sustainable bioproduction.
NFAPost, Bengaluru: In a significant boost to India’s emerging bioeconomy, Theia Ventures—one of the country’s earliest specialist funds focused on AI, deep-tech, and decarbonization—has led a pre-seed investment round in Lemnisca, an AI-driven biomanufacturing startup headquartered in Bengaluru. The round also saw participation from PointOne Capital and Dr. Satakarni Makkapati.
Announced on November 27, 2025, the investment will fuel the expansion of Lemnisca’s Bengaluru laboratory, accelerate the development of its science-aware AI platform, and support early pilot programs aimed at scaling sustainable bioproduction.
Transforming Biomanufacturing With AI
As global industries increasingly pivot toward renewable feedstocks and biological alternatives to petrochemicals, the ability to scale bioprocesses efficiently has become mission-critical. While AI has dramatically accelerated molecule discovery, a key bottleneck remains: reliably scaling biological innovations from the lab to the factory floor.
Lemnisca aims to solve exactly this challenge.
The startup is building an AI companion for fermentation—a continuously learning system that pairs wet-lab experimentation with advanced modeling to help scientists and operators understand process biology and steer production in real time. The platform is designed to reduce development timelines by up to 50%, improve operating efficiency by 25%, and accelerate the adoption of renewable and waste-carbon feedstocks.
“We are delighted to be early partners in Lemnisca’s journey,” said Priya Shah, Partner at Theia Ventures. “Biomanufacturing in today’s era needs advanced digital simulators that can predict how microbial processes will perform at industrial scale. The Lemnisca team brings rich practical experience, especially in applications relevant to nutraceutical markets.”
A Vision to Make Biomanufacturing the Global Default
For Lemnisca’s founders, the mission is bold but straightforward: transform biomanufacturing from a niche capability into the world’s default mode of production.
“From day one, our question was simple—how do we make biomanufacturing the default manufacturing mode globally?” said Pushkar Pendse, Co-founder & CEO of Lemnisca. “Our focus is to build the digital operating system that brings biology from lab to factory, making scale-up faster, smarter, and globally accessible.”
The company is working closely with fermentation-led manufacturers already on the path to bioproduction scale-up, while simultaneously building an internal product pipeline. Lemnisca is also opening doors for pilot collaborations and strategic partnerships across contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs), OEMs, system integrators, and global ingredient brands.
“We are rethinking everything—from lab workflows to model architectures,” added Shilpa Nargund, Co-founder & CTO. “The goal is fewer surprises at scale and faster, repeatable success.”
Theia Ventures Expands Its Deep-Tech Portfolio
This investment marks Theia Ventures’ third deployment from its newly launched fund, which recently closed its first round anchored by British International Investment. Previous investments include Sarla Aviation, which is developing electric aircraft technologies, and Climitra Carbon, a biochar company supporting decarbonization in the steel industry. The fund has also committed to three additional investments slated for deployment this financial year.
About the Companies
Lemnisca
Lemnisca is developing an AI-powered fermentation companion that enables manufacturers to optimize, scale, and operate bioprocesses with greater confidence. Its science-aware AI models aim to make biomanufacturing faster, more predictable, and environmentally sustainable.
Theia Ventures
Theia Ventures is one of India’s pioneering early-stage funds specializing in energy transition, deep technology, and decarbonization. It backs founders developing innovations that can reshape industrial systems and accelerate progress toward a low-carbon global economy.
