Bengaluru-based speciality chemicals startup Scimplify has raised $25 million in a strategic funding round led by Hitachi Ventures, taking its total equity funding to approximately $80 million. The investment will support its expansion into the US, strengthen its artificial intelligence (AI) platform and increase its capabilities in manufacturing critical materials for semiconductors, batteries, energy and defence.
The round also attracted existing customers Henkel and Teknor Apex as new investors, alongside returning backers Accel India, Bertelsmann India Investments, Omnivore and 3one4 Capital.
The participation of industrial customers as investors highlights the strategic importance of reliable speciality chemical supplies, particularly as manufacturers seek alternatives to concentrated global supply chains.
- Scimplify to Expand US Operations and AI Capabilities
Founded in 2023 by Sachin Santhosh, Salil Srivastava, Dheeraj Dhingra and Hersh Manek, Scimplify manages the process of developing speciality chemicals and moving them from laboratory research to commercial manufacturing.
The company operates research and development facilities in Bengaluru and Hyderabad, working with manufacturing partners to produce chemicals that meet customers' specifications and quality requirements.
The fresh capital will support its international expansion, including an investment of approximately $7.5 million in its US operations, according to TechCrunch. Scimplify has also earmarked around $2 million to develop its proprietary AI platform, Scinode, which helps coordinate chemical research, production processes, manufacturing facilities and quality control.
The company plans to expand its manufacturing network beyond India as demand grows for critical materials used in advanced industrial applications.
- Revenue Run Rate Reaches $200 Million
Scimplify's growth reflects increasing demand for specialised materials and more flexible manufacturing supply chains.
According to TechCrunch, the startup has reached an annualised revenue run rate of approximately $200 million, nearly three times its level a year earlier. This is a run-rate estimate, not the same as audited annual revenue.
International markets now account for more than half of the company's revenue, according to the report, demonstrating its growing exposure to global industrial customers.
The company serves businesses across chemicals, electronics, pharmaceuticals and other industrial sectors. Its reported customers include TDK, BASF, Henkel and Coromandel, among others.
- Why the Investment Matters for India's Manufacturing Sector
Scimplify's latest funding comes amid rising investor interest in Indian manufacturing startups. Sector attracted $1.92 billion across 127 deals in 2026 so far, compared with $164 million across 31 deals during the whole of 2020.
The broader opportunity lies in bridging the gap between chemical research and large-scale production. Developing a molecule is only one part of the process; manufacturers must also establish repeatable production methods, maintain quality standards and secure dependable manufacturing capacity.
Scimplify's model combines research capabilities, AI-assisted coordination and a manufacturing network to address these challenges. Its expansion could help Indian chemical manufacturing capabilities serve more international customers, although success will depend on consistent product quality, regulatory compliance and the economics of overseas operations.
The company's focus on semiconductor, battery and energy-related materials also positions it to pursue demand from industries investing in advanced technologies and supply-chain diversification.
For investors, the next test will be whether Scimplify can translate its reported revenue growth into sustainable profitability while expanding internationally. For India's manufacturing ecosystem, its progress offers a case study in building globally competitive businesses around specialised industrial capabilities rather than commodity production alone.
