Odisha’s startup Elmentoz Research pioneering smart protein technology wins Startup Grand Challenge Award
Bhubaneswar: In a matter of great joy and pride for Odisha, the city-based Elmentoz Research, a deeptech biotech startup was crowned the winner of the Startup Mahakumbh Grand Challenge Award 2025.
Elmentoz Research got the prestigious award for its ground breaking technology to revolutionise animal feed industry on a mission to make it antibiotics free which is the cause of world’s biggest threat, that is antimicrobial resistance to human which pass through the food chain and the award was felicitated by Union Industry & Supply Minister Piyush Goyal.
Held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from April 3rd to 5th, 2025, Startup Mahakumbh brought together the largest convergence of entrepreneurial talent in India — with over 3,000 exhibitors, 10,000 startups, 1,000 investors, incubators, and accelerators, and more than 50,000 business visitors from across the country and abroad.
The event showcased breakthrough technologies across sectors including AgriTech, Climate Tech, BioTech & HealthTech, AI, DeepTech & Cybersecurity, D2C, FinTech, Defense & Space Tech, Precision Manufacturing, and more, through focused thematic pavilions.
Founded by Dr. Jayashankar Das, a renowned biotechnologist and technocrat turned entrepreneur, Elmentoz is a smart alternative protein company pioneering insect-based solutions for sustainable animal nutrition. By leveraging Black Soldier Fly (BSF) biotechnology, Elmentoz transforms organic waste into high-quality protein, oil, and biofertilizer. With a focus on functional proteins fortified with antimicrobial peptides, Elmentoz delivers cost-effective, eco-friendly alternatives to conventional feed ingredients. Under his leadership, Elmentoz is addressing critical challenges in animal health and nutrition along with food security.
Elmentoz’s innovations include smart protein solutions which are custom-designed for the poultry, aquafeed, and pet food industries, offering precision nutrition and helps manage disease at a micro level. These next-gen formulations aim to replace antibiotics, reduce feed manufacturing costs, and accelerate the shift toward sustainable, functional feed systems in animal farming. This is the future of Indian Poultry and aqua feed industry
Elmentoz’s technologies are backed by several patents and has earned multiple prestigious grants, including BIRAC’s Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG), Startup India Seed Fund, NRDC-DSIR TDVC Grant, I4F Indo-Israel Grant, HDFC Parivartan Eco-Innovate Grant, and MeitY Leap Ahead Cohort, validating its global potential and deeptech leadership. These accolades reflect Elmentoz’s strong R&D foundation, sustainability impact, and commitment to building a circular, climate-resilient bioeconomy.
Elmentoz is now setting up India’s largest commercial facility to produce precision smart proteins for both domestic and export markets—marking a bold step toward global leadership in climate-smart biotechnology. At a scale it will manage 2.4 million metric tons of organic waste and cut 300,000 tons of CO₂ emissions annually, Elmentoz is a beacon of climate-smart biotechnology.
