Abhi Gawri (Loopworm)
Overview
Abhi Gawri is the co-founder of Loopworm, an innovative biotechnology startup that focuses on sustainable protein production. Loopworm was established in 2019 alongside Ankit Alok Bagaria, a fellow alumnus from the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee. This Bengaluru-based company utilizes insects like silkworms and black soldier flies to produce high-value proteins and biomaterials, aimed at revolutionizing fields such as animal nutrition and biotechnology. Notably, the company's proprietary use of silkworms as living bioreactors has drawn attention for its potential to offer a more cost-effective and sustainable method for recombinant protein production.
Recent Developments
- As of July 2025, Loopworm successfully raised $3.25 million in a pre-Series A funding round, led by WaterBridge Ventures and ENRISSION INDIA CAPITAL. The funds are allocated to boost commercialization of their recombinant protein production platform, focusing on applications in diagnostics and animal vaccines.
- In 2024, Abhi Gawri and Loopworm were featured in Forbes India's "30 Under 30" for their groundbreaking work in sustainable biotechnology.
- The company has expanded its operations with a state-of-the-art facility in Bengaluru, India, boasting an insect processing capacity of 6,000 tonnes per year.
- Loopworm has made significant strides in recombinant protein manufacturing by employing silkworms, achieving expression of complex proteins like antigens and growth factors, streamlining the scalability and cost-efficiency of production systems in biotechnology.
Personal Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Abhi Gawri |
| Born | (Date not publicly available) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Co-Founder and COO of Loopworm |
| Known For | Co-founding Loopworm, Biotechnology Innovations |
| Education | Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee |
Early Life and Education
Abhi Gawri pursued his higher education at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, where he met his future business partner, Ankit Alok Bagaria. During their academic tenure, they explored waste management solutions, sparking the idea for Loopworm. Among their initial projects were innovative methods for managing organic waste through bioconversion using insects, which laid the foundation for their entrepreneurial journey.
Career and Notable Achievements
- 2019: Co-founded Loopworm, focusing on insect-based biotechnology solutions.
- 2021: Received initial funding through grants worth approximately $150,000 to develop their insect-rearing processes.
- 2022: Secured $3.4 million in seed funding, accelerating the establishment of a large-scale production facility in Bengaluru.
- 2023: Operationalized their main production facility, significantly enhancing their production and R&D capacities.
Current Work and Impact
Currently, Abhi Gawri is deeply involved in Loopworm's strategic growth, particularly the advancement of their silkworm-based recombinant protein platform. This platform is shifting traditional biomanufacturing paradigms by facilitating faster, more affordable, and resource-efficient protein production. Beyond commercial success, Loopworm contributes to global sustainability goals by providing an ecologically friendly alternative to conventional protein sources, which are often resource-intensive.
Conclusion
Abhi Gawri has significantly impacted biotechnology via Loopworm's novel approaches to sustainable protein production. His ventures highlight the potential of integrating cutting-edge technology with ecological stewardship. His work is projected to pave the way for future advancements in biotech, holding the promise of significant contributions to global bio-economy efforts.