Ukhi, a biomaterials startup, has raised $1.2 million in its pre-seed funding round led by 100Unicorns. The round also saw participation from Venture Catalysts and angel investor Avtar Monga, alongside debt funding from SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India).
The funds will be used to scale its production capabilities, advance its materials research, and expand its sustainable packaging solutions globally.
“We are excited to pioneer biodegradable and compostable packaging solutions made from agricultural waste, helping industries reduce their environmental footprint. Our novel material research is designed to accelerate the transition towards a circular economy, positioning Ukhi as a leader in bioeconomy solutions that will transform the packaging industry,” said Priyanka Chauhan, CGM and Co-Founder of Ukhi.
“We are on a mission to disrupt the packaging industry with our biodegradable materials, and we aim to be a $5 billion company by 2030. This funding will enable us to scale production, further our sustainable material research, and expand our reach globally. Our vision is to help companies across industries transition to sustainable, circular solutions, significantly reducing their carbon footprints while driving industry-wide transformation,” said Vishal Vivek, Co-Founder of Ukhi.
Sundeep K Tyagi, Co-Founder of Ukhi, said, “After three decades in the traditional packaging industry, I’ve seen firsthand the devastating impact of plastic waste. With Ukhi’s breakthrough biomaterial technology, we’re not just creating sustainable packaging – we’re creating a blueprint for how waste can become wealth while healing our planet.”
Dr. Apoorva Ranjan Sharma, Co-founder of Venture Catalysts, said, “I believe in the transformative power of innovation. The team’s vision to revolutionize the packaging industry with sustainable solutions is truly inspiring. Their dedication to creating a greener future is commendable, and I’m excited to be a part of their journey. I’m confident that they have the potential to not only disrupt the industry but also make a significant positive impact on our planet. We’re incredibly bullish about this space, and I believe Ukhi has the potential to emerge as the top startup in this space.”
Co-founded in 2019 by Priyanka Chauhan, Vishal Vivek, and Sundeep Kumar Tyagi, Ukhi transforms agricultural waste into valuable biomaterials.
Ukhi claims to have developed a groundbreaking Compostable Biomaterial that serves as the foundation for sustainable packaging products. The company’s patent-pending technology leverages lignocellulosic agricultural residues to create scalable, sustainable materials that offer a viable alternative to traditional plastics.
