Nanotechnology startup Vimano raises Rs 25 crore in a Seed funding round

Vimano, a Bengaluru-based nanotechnology startup focused on membrane innovation for clean energy systems, has raised Rs 25 crore (approximately $3 million) in a seed funding round. 

The round was led by early-stage investor Ankur Capital and marks the debut investment from the venture firm's recently launched third fund.

The startup plans to use the raised capital to scale manufacturing capabilities, support pilot projects in partnership with energy sector players, and grow the team as it pushes toward commercialization of its membrane platform.

What does Vimano do?

Founded in 2019 by materials scientists Murari Ramkumar and Dr. Nagesh Kini, Vimano is developing ion-conductive membranes designed to enhance efficiency and reduce costs across a range of energy technologies—including redox flow batteries, PEM fuel cells, and electrolyzers for green hydrogen production.

"At Vimano, we believe that membrane electrolytes are the unsung heroes of the energy transition," said co-founder and CEO Murari Ramkumar.

"Over the past five years, we have worked relentlessly to develop a platform that can significantly improve efficiency and reduce costs for long-duration energy storage and green hydrogen production. This investment will enable us to accelerate our commercialization efforts and bring our high-performance membranes to market at scale."

Vimano's membrane platform is the result of half a decade of research focused on improving conductivity and performance while maintaining efficiency, reducing crossover, and extending lifespan.

Investor comments

"We are excited to partner with Vimano as they hit a crucial inflection point," said Ritu Verma, Managing Partner at Ankur Capital.

"Their groundbreaking work in nanotechnology aligns perfectly with our commitment to backing deep science innovations that tackle pressing global issues like the energy transition. We believe Vimano’s membranes can reshape how energy is stored across multiple formats—with green hydrogen alone projected to grow nearly 10X to over $60 billion by 2030."

Ankur Capital has previously backed science-led ventures such as Captain Fresh, Offgrid Energy Lab, and String Bio.