Zerocircle, a biotech startup focusing on sustainable packaging solutions, has raised ₹20 crore in its latest funding round led by Rainmatter, an initiative by Zerodha co-founder Nithin Kamath.
The round also saw participation from early-stage venture capital firms 1Crowd, VC Grid, 7th Gen Ventures, and environmental advocate Trudie Styler, among others.
The funds raised will be used to scale its manufacturing capabilities, optimise its supply chain processes, and expand its workforce.
“Our nature-based materials challenge the status quo that goes beyond just visible plastic pollution. Fueled by anti-plastic policies, the demand for clean sustainable solutions is already strong. With this funding infusion, we’re ready to fill the gap with cost-effective, high-performing materials that help conscious brands thrive in a changing market,” said Neha Jain, founder and Managing Director of Zerocircle.
Nithin Kamath, Founder & CEO, Zerodha and Rainmatter, said, “Plastic is a well-known source of pollution on land and in water. We can visibly see plastic pollution around us, and now we also see microplastics in our food and water. This is why, when we met the Zerocircle team back in 2021, we did not take much time to decide on backing them in their pursuit of developing biodegradable alternatives for plastics.”
Founded in 2020 by Neha Jain, Zerocircle develops seaweed-based packaging materials as an alternative to harmful petrochemical-derived products. Its product lineup features coated packaging for items such as hamburger boxes, fried food containers, bakery packaging, and food trays. The startup aims to address the growing demand for eco-friendly packaging solutions and contribute to reducing the environmental impact of single-use plastics.
Based in Pune, the company has ambitious plans to increase its production capacity significantly. By 2028, Zerocircle expects to produce over 3,000 tonnes annually across its product categories, which include coated paperboards, food boxes, and advanced coatings.
Currently, Zerocircle operates in European markets but is actively exploring opportunities to expand into regions such as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
