Bengaluru-based biotechnology startup Venomics AI has raised $2.7 million in a pre-seed funding round to expand its artificial intelligence-driven drug discovery platform, which uses venom-derived molecules to identify potential therapeutic candidates.
The funding marks the company's first institutional investment round and was co-led by Speciale Invest and South Park Commons, with participation from Operators Studio.
Spun out of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Venomics AI plans to use the capital to expand operations, strengthen its AI and laboratory screening capabilities, and develop a larger molecular dataset to support drug discovery research.
Founded in May 2026 by Sunagar and Vinay Prabhu, the startup combines venom biology, molecular sequencing, computational modelling and experimental screening to identify molecules that could be developed into therapeutic candidates.
The company is developing a platform called Venom Atlas, which brings together molecular information derived from venom with laboratory testing and AI-based analysis.
The platform uses artificial intelligence to identify and prioritise molecular candidates for further investigation. These candidates are subsequently tested through laboratory screening to evaluate their biological properties and potential applications.
Results from the experiments are then incorporated into the platform to refine subsequent predictions and support further molecular design.
According to the company, this process is intended to connect computational analysis with experimental validation, allowing researchers to evaluate promising molecules through successive stages of testing.
Venomics AI is seeking to use India's biodiversity and scientific research capabilities to develop a drug discovery platform that could support therapeutic research internationally.
Venom-derived peptides and proteins have attracted scientific interest because some interact with biological targets associated with pain, neurological conditions and cardiovascular functions.
However, identifying a potentially useful molecule does not establish that it is safe or effective as a medicine. Further laboratory research, preclinical evaluation and clinical trials would be required before any candidate could become an approved treatment.
Venomics AI has completed the initial architecture of its platform and joined NVIDIA's Inception programme, which supports technology startups working with accelerated computing and AI.
The company was also selected among the five finalists for the 2026 Indo-Boston Biotech Bridge Award.
Following the funding round, Venomics AI plans to recruit professionals across venom biology, computational science and drug discovery while continuing to validate and optimise selected molecular candidates.
The investment comes amid growing interest in AI-assisted drug discovery, where companies are using computational methods to identify and evaluate potential therapeutic compounds.
In February 2026, Bengaluru-based Peptris Technologies raised ₹70 crore in a Series A funding round co-led by IAN Alpha Fund and Speciale Invest to support its AI-driven molecular discovery and experimental validation activities.
Venomics AI has not disclosed a commercial launch timeline, clinical development schedule or specific therapeutic candidates expected to advance from its platform.
The latest funding will support the company's early-stage research and platform development as it works to identify molecules for further therapeutic investigation.
Disclaimer: This article may include information derived from interviews, press releases, public statements, research, company communications and other publicly available or third-party sources. Such material may be summarised, paraphrased or contextualised for journalistic and editorial purposes. All rights in third-party content remain with their respective owners.