Scindo’s full-stack platform engineers enzymes, which are naturally occurring proteins found in plants and microbes, to transform renewable feedstocks into high-value, bio-based ingredients. By combining advanced AI models with proprietary, experimentally validated reaction data, the platform accelerates enzyme discovery and optimisation, enabling complex reactions to be done more efficiently and sustainably. This innovation supports consistent, scalable production of natural flavours and fragrances.
The investment aligns with Paulig’s “for a life full of flavour” mission and its commitment to building a tastier, healthier and more sustainable planet. PINC actively seeks out startups developing innovative solutions that can lower emissions and improve food systems.
“Traditional manufacturing of ingredients like flavours and fragrances still relies heavily on petroleum derivatives. However, alongside consumer expectations and policy changes, companies like Paulig also recognise its responsibility to drive the shift towards clean and sustainable alternatives,” said Rosemari Herrero, Senior Investment Manager at PINC. “Scindo’s ambitious enzyme platform offers a cost-effective way to produce bio-based ingredients, thereby driving the transition towards both more sustainable and affordable products.”
Scindo’s technology is already attracting strong industry interest. The company has established partnerships with leading chemical manufacturers and has initiated pilot scaling to bring the first products to market. This momentum underscores the rising demand for bio-based solutions that can deliver both performance and sustainability at scale.
Founded in 2020, Scindo is entering its next phase of growth. With the new funding, the company will expand its enzyme discovery engine, scale wet-lab capabilities and strengthen its team. Recent hires include research scientists from top pharma companies and the University of Oxford, bolstering expertise in machine learning, enzyme engineering, process scaling and commercialisation. These additions position Scindo to scale rapidly and deliver sustainable, high-value solutions to industry partners worldwide.
“We’re thrilled to have the backing of such a strong consortium of investors,” said Gustaf Hemberg, Co-founder & CEO of Scindo. “This support enables us to accelerate the scale-up of our enzyme platform and start producing sustainable, high-value products. With PINC and Paulig as strategic partners, we gain not only capital but also expertise in food, flavour, and sustainability, helping us bring cleaner solutions to market faster.”
About Paulig
Paulig is an international food and beverage company, growing a new, sustainable food culture – one that is good for both people and the planet. Paulig provides all things tasty: Tex Mex, Snacks, coffees, World Foods and spices. The company's brands are Paulig, Santa Maria, Risenta, Poco Loco, Conimex and Zanuy. Paulig also manufactures products for its private label and industry customers. In 2024, the company’s sales amounted to approximately EUR 1.2 billion. Paulig was founded in 1876 and is 100% owned by the Paulig family. The company has 2,400 passionate employees in 13 different countries working on our purpose For a life full of flavour.
About PINC
PINC is Paulig’s venture arm for investments in early-stage startups in and around the future of food. PINC aims to help Paulig renew itself and prosper, as well as contribute to a tastier and more sustainable planet.
About Scindo
Scindo is a UK-based biotech startup pioneering AI-driven enzyme discovery and engineering to create sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based chemicals. Founded in 2020, the company has developed a proprietary, data-rich platform that combines experimentally validated reaction datasets with advanced AI models to discover, design and optimise novel enzymes and biotransformations to break down challenging feedstocks and convert them directly into bio-active ingredients. By transforming renewable or waste carbon into high-value products through direct, selective enzyme-driven reactions, Scindo enables cleaner, scalable solutions that advance the circular economy and the future of sustainable manufacturing.
About Kadmos Capital
Kadmos is a UK based VC fund, focused on early-stage deep-tech companies with hyper growth potential and positive impact including frontier technologies such as AI, Sustainability, TechBio/Longevity.
About Clay Capital
Clay Capital is a Singapore-based venture capital fund that backs ambitious companies developing breakthrough solutions for a healthier, safer, and more regenerative food system. As a pioneer in high-impact investment in agri- food technologies, Clay Capital is supported by major institutional investors, including government funds, supranational entities, banks, insurance companies, and prominent families from the agri-food sector.
