Most people haven’t heard of Elmed Life Sciences yet. But the poultry farmers, dairy operators and aquaculture businesses using their products have — and now NABARD’s own VC arm has written a ₹25 crore cheque. Here’s the full story.
The Funding — $2.7 Million Series A
Hyderabad-based biotech startup Elmed Life Sciences has raised $2.7 million (around ₹25 crore) in a Series A funding round from the AgriSURE Fund, managed by NABVENTURES, the venture capital arm of NABARD.
This investment will support the company’s next phase of growth, focused on expanding its manufacturing, strengthening R&D, and scaling distribution across key markets.
This is not a speculative bet. NABARD — India’s apex agricultural finance institution — is putting real institutional money behind a startup it believes can reshape how Indian farms manage animal and crop health. That kind of backing carries enormous credibility in the agri sector.
What Exactly Does Elmed Life Sciences Do?
Founded in 2018 by Pruthivin Reddy Madduri and co-founder Nikhil Konkathi, Elmed Life Sciences develops probiotic and biological solutions spanning animal health, agriculture, aquaculture and human health. Its products cater to poultry, dairy, livestock, aquaculture and soil health, with a focus on improving productivity and sustainability through microbiome-based technologies.
In simple terms — Elmed builds natural, science-backed alternatives to antibiotics and chemical inputs for India’s farms, fisheries and livestock operations.
The Four Verticals Elmed Operates In:
| Vertical | Who Uses It |
| Animal Health | Poultry farmers, dairy operators, livestock managers |
| Agriculture | Soil health practitioners, crop farmers |
| Aquaculture | Shrimp farms, fish farming enterprises |
| Human Health | Pharma companies including Alchem and Hetero |
The company handles end-to-end formulation and supply to pharma companies for their probiotic supplements. Elmed is the manufacturer, while the final product is sold and marketed under its partners’ brand names.
Why Probiotics & Microbiome? — The Big Opportunity
This is a market moment that most people outside the agri sector haven’t fully grasped yet.
The Indian biotech landscape is witnessing a significant shift as Elmed’s portfolio spans four core verticals, addressing the rising global need for sustainable, antibiotic-free alternatives across industries.
In India, the probiotic segment across animal health, aquaculture, and agriculture is growing rapidly, with adoption accelerating across poultry, dairy, and aquaculture sectors.
The global context is even more compelling. As countries tighten regulations on antibiotic use in livestock and aquaculture — driven by concerns about antibiotic resistance — demand for microbiome-based biological solutions is surging worldwide. Elmed is positioned right at the centre of this trend.
How Will the $2.7 Million Be Used?
The funding will help expand manufacturing in Hyderabad, enhance R&D for microbiome solutions, and deepen distribution across Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets in India, while establishing a stronger foothold in international markets.
Breaking it down:
- Manufacturing Expansion — Scale up Hyderabad production facilities
- R&D Strengthening — More microbiome research and new product development
- Tier 2 & Tier 3 Distribution — Reach farmers in smaller towns and districts across India
- International Markets — Tap rising global demand for antibiotic-free biological solutions
What the Founders & Investors Said
In the words of founder Pruthivin Reddy Madduri:
“Indian agriculture is steadily moving towards more sustainable and residue-free practices, creating a strong need for reliable biological solutions.”
And from the investor side, Ashish Choudhary, Investment Manager at the AgriSURE Fund, NABVENTURES:
“Through the AgriSURE Fund, we focus on backing businesses that can drive this shift at scale. Elmed has demonstrated both scientific strength and on-ground adoption across key agri segments, and this investment will support its next phase of growth in manufacturing and market expansion.”
What is the AgriSURE Fund & Why Does It Matter?
Not every investor is the same — and who funds a startup tells you a lot about where it’s headed.
AgriSURE Fund is an agri-focused investment fund managed by NABVENTURES, the venture capital arm of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).
NABARD is not a typical VC. It is India’s apex agricultural development bank — with deep roots across rural India, state governments and farming communities. When NABARD’s VC arm backs a startup, it signals that:
- The technology is scientifically credible
- The market demand is real and validated on the ground
- The government’s institutional ecosystem will support scale-up
- Distribution across rural India becomes significantly easier
For Elmed, this isn’t just capital — it’s a powerful distribution and credibility partner.
Elmed Life Sciences — Company at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
| Founded | 2018 |
| Headquarters | Hyderabad, Telangana |
| Founders | Pruthivin Reddy Madduri & Nikhil Konkathi |
| Funding Round | Series A |
| Amount Raised | $2.7 Mn (₹25 Cr) |
| Lead Investor | AgriSURE Fund, NABVENTURES (NABARD) |
| Pharma Partners | Alchem, Hetero |
| Sectors | Animal Health, Agriculture, Aquaculture, Human Health |
| Focus Markets | India (Tier 2 & 3) + International |
Why This Matters for Delhi-NCR’s Agri Economy
While Elmed is headquartered in Hyderabad, its impact stretches across the entire country — including Delhi’s massive agri hinterland in states like Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan.
As awareness of sustainable farming practices grows beyond metropolitan centres, demand for biological and probiotic solutions is rising steadily across Tier 2 and Tier 3 regions.
For dairy farmers in Haryana, poultry operators in UP and aquaculture businesses across India — Elmed’s microbiome-based products represent a genuine, science-backed alternative to the chemical and antibiotic inputs that have dominated Indian agriculture for decades.
Bottom Line — A Small Cheque With Big Implications
At $2.7 million, this is not the splashiest funding round of the year. But what it represents is far more significant than the number suggests.
A NABARD-backed institutional fund has validated microbiome-based biotech as a credible, scalable solution for Indian agriculture. Elmed now has the capital to expand manufacturing, deepen rural distribution and take its antibiotic-free solutions global.
In a country where farming affects over 600 million people — and where antibiotic resistance is a growing public health crisis — that’s a bet worth watching.
