Mandrake Bio has raised INR 16 Cr in a Pre-Seed funding round co-led by Activate and Antler. 16/07/2026 Mandrake Bio develops programmable gene editing enzymes using generative AI, biophysics, and wet lab validation. The startup aims to design compact and precise enzymes for applications across agriculture and medicine, has raised INR 16 Cr in a Pre-Seed funding round co-led by Activate and Antler. The round also saw participation from Spectrum Impact, DeVC, and angel investors, including Vijay Chandru, Paras Chopra, Sanjiv Rangrass, and Vatsal Du.

Bengaluru-based biotech startup Mandrake Bio has raised ₹16 crore in pre-seed funding co-led by Activate and Antler, with participation from Spectrum Impact, DeVC, and several angel investors. Founded by Tanay Lohia and Dr Kutubuddin Molla, the company develops programmable gene-editing enzymes from scratch using artificial intelligence and protein design, rather than modifying existing biological structures like CRISPR-Cas9. The startup initially targets agricultural applications, creating compact enzymes to develop climate-resistant crops requiring fewer pesticides and fertilizers. It also plans to serve therapeutic companies through a licensing-based business model. As a pre-revenue company with eight employees, Mandrake Bio will use the funds to validate its first enzymes in laboratory conditions, expand its AI protein-design platform, build compute infrastructure, and recruit specialists across AI and wet-lab research.

Two members of Cornell’s business incubators have been accepted to Cohort 2025 of the Activate Fellowship, a two-year program that supports scientists and engineers in their entrepreneurial ventures.