Menterra invests US$2 million in technology companies across sectors to deliver Impact at Scale
Bangalore: Menterra Social Impact Fund has invested in technology companies covering HealthTech, AgTech and EdTech. These investments include Omix Labs and Adiuvo Diagnostics in healthcare, Stones 2 Milestones in education and one more investment in AgTech. With these investments, Menterra has a portfolio of 10 investments and it is nearing a complete deployment of its first fund.
OmiX Labs has built a next-generation molecular diagnostics platform for rapid detection of infectious diseases. DNA-based proprietary tests allow detection of bugs causing infection within few hours instead of waiting for microbial culture over few days. Specific information on resistance to common antibiotics enables targeted treatment. Temperature neutral protocols make it possible to use these tests in under resourced settings.
Adiuvo uses machine learning enabled, non-invasive and portable device that uses multi-spectral imaging for wound care and detection of skin infections. This technology allows significant improvements over existing visual methods. Adiuvo is building a very advanced and powerful platform technology with multiple related products in the pipeline.
Stones2Milestones (S2M) is on a Mission of Creating a Nation of Readers by developing children’s skill and will to read in English through innovative methods. ~90% Indian children cannot read according to their grade levels. To measure the depth of the problem, S2M has launched India’s first pure play English Reading Skill Assessment – FAST. To attack the problem, after the tests, schools and parents partner with S2M to improve children’s reading levels through the Wing of Words program and the Freadom parent app. This eco-system approach makes a child a fluent and independent reader by Grade 3.
In Agriculture, Menterra and its investment partner Artha are looking to bring much-needed scientific rigour to small farms. They are currently assessing several opportunities including leading a Pre-Series A round for an AgTech company.
Menterra’s investments in OmiX Labs, Adiuvo and Biosense demonstrate the power of conveyor belt built through holistic incubation-fund platform where early-stage companies are seeded by Villgro and accelerated through equity funding by Menterra. Villgro and Menterra are working to scale this fund-incubation platform and align with other upstream and downstream partners to extend this conveyor belt.
● US$2m investment in 4 companies across HealthTech, AgTech and EdTech.
● All new companies use the power of technology to address critical development priorities.
● With completely merit-based selection, 50% of Menterra companies are founded and led by an exceptional set of women founders.
Mukesh Sharma, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Menterra Venture Advisors was pleased to share that “Menterra was formed to use the power of technology to deliver impact at scale by improving the quality of farming, healthcare and education in our country with focus on aspiring underserved consumers. We are delighted to welcome such a talented group of founders to Menterra family. The thought and passion they have put in is apparent in the quality of their products and the teams they have built around them. In the coming years, Menterra will continue to invest in cutting edge technology. We will continue to broaden and deepen our platform with focus on agriculture, healthcare & education”.