Scindo, a London-based biotech startup, has secured $5.4 million in fresh funding to scale its AI-powered enzyme discovery platform. The round brings together leading backers including AgFunder, Kadmos Capital Ltd, and SynBioVen, reflecting investor conviction in the company’s potential to redefine industrial chemistry through sustainable biocatalysis.

Founded by Gustaf Hemberg, Scindo’s mission is clear: transform the way we make the ingredients that fuel our everyday lives  - from skincare products to nutritional supplements  - by replacing fossil fuel-dependent chemical processes with precision-designed enzymes.

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From Chemistry to Biocatalysis: Why Scindo Matters

At its core, Scindo is tackling a fundamental challenge: traditional chemical synthesis is energy-intensive, waste-heavy, and deeply tied to fossil feedstocks. By designing enzymes that enable direct synthesis from renewable or upcycled feedstocks, Scindo provides a greener, more efficient alternative.

This isn’t just a sustainability play  - it’s about efficiency and economics. Enzymes engineered by Scindo promise higher selectivity, reduced waste streams, and novel synthetic pathways that were previously inaccessible. For industries like cosmetics, personal care, food, and nutrition, this represents an opportunity to both cut costs and meet rising consumer demand for eco-conscious products.

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The Strategic Edge: AI Meets Enzyme Design

While enzyme-based biocatalysis isn’t new, what makes Scindo different is its AI-native approach to enzyme discovery and design. Instead of relying on trial-and-error lab processes, the company integrates machine learning to rapidly model, predict, and optimize enzyme functionality.

This positions Scindo at the intersection of synthetic biology and AI, two of the fastest-growing deep tech sectors. The ability to design “bespoke enzymes” tailored to industrial needs could be the difference between incremental improvements and industry-wide disruption.

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The Founder’s Vision

Gustaf Hemberg, Scindo’s founder, brings a background that bridges biotech research and applied industrial chemistry. His philosophy is that enzymes shouldn’t just mimic nature  - they should push the boundaries of what’s chemically possible.

By marrying enzyme design with AI-driven precision, Scindo is laying the groundwork for a new era of sustainable manufacturing.

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The Insight Every Founder Should Note

When companies like Scindo secure investor backing, it’s not just about technology; it’s about narrative and timing. What stood out to investors here wasn’t simply “AI in biotech”  - it was the way Scindo positioned itself as a platform technology with broad applications across multiple industries.

Founders often underestimate how critical it is to frame their startup as a category creator, not just a product builder. Scindo isn’t just an enzyme company; it’s the engine behind a new supply chain model. That distinction changes the scale of the story and, ultimately, the scale of capital it can attract.

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Who’s Backing Scindo

The round was supported by a mix of biotech and deep tech investors:

• AgFunder (United States, San Francisco) – a global leader in agrifood tech and biotech investments.
  
• Kadmos Capital Ltd (United Kingdom, London) – a venture capital firm focused on emerging technologies.
  
• SynBioVen (United Kingdom, London) – a specialized investor in synthetic biology ventures.
  

This blend of sector-specific and deep tech capital suggests investors see Scindo not just as a biotech research play, but as a long-term enabler of sustainable industry.

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The Market Outlook for Enzyme-Driven Biotech

The potential for enzyme-driven manufacturing is massive. According to MarketsandMarkets, the global industrial enzymes market is projected to reach $8.7 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of nearly 6%. Meanwhile, the broader synthetic biology market is forecasted to surpass $40 billion by 2030, fueled by demand for renewable materials, bio-based ingredients, and low-carbon production methods.

Several factors are accelerating this trend:

• Regulatory pressure: Governments worldwide are tightening emissions and waste regulations.
  
• Consumer demand: A NielsenIQ survey found that 78% of consumers prioritize sustainability when making purchase decisions.
  
• Economic necessity: Fossil feedstock price volatility is forcing industries to diversify toward renewable alternatives.
  

Scindo sits squarely at this crossroads  - offering a technology that is environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and highly scalable.

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What’s Next for Scindo

With its $5.4M raise, Scindo plans to expand R&D, grow its enzyme library, and deepen collaborations with industrial partners. Scaling biocatalyst deployment will be key, as the company transitions from proof-of-concept projects to widespread industrial adoption.

If successful, Scindo won’t just be another biotech startup  - it could become a cornerstone of the post-fossil chemical economy.