Brazilian biotechnology startup BioLinker has successfully raised $1.7 million in a new funding round as the company works to scale its synthetic biology and genetic engineering capabilities. The fresh capital injection is set to accelerate the company’s ambitious technological expansion, including the establishment of an automated laboratory in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.
The investment round was spearheaded by Axcell, which contributed $1.4 million to the venture. Additional financial backing came from the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), which provided approximately $240,000 through its PIPE Phase 2 program, a specialized initiative designed to support innovative research and development projects within small businesses.
Founded in 2018 by a group of scientists and researchers hailing from the University of São Paulo, BioLinker specializes in the development and manufacturing of recombinant proteins. Utilizing cutting-edge techniques in synthetic biology and genetic engineering, the company creates specialized products that serve critical functions across multiple sectors, including scientific research, clinical diagnostics, and broad industrial applications.
With the newly acquired funds, BioLinker is preparing to construct a state-of-the-art automated laboratory situated at the Amazon BioBusiness Center located in Manaus. This strategic move places the biotech firm directly within one of the world’s most biodiverse regions, aligning regional scientific development with advanced technological infrastructure. The upcoming facility will leverage advanced robotics to generate biological data at scale. This massive influx of biological data will then be utilized to train artificial intelligence models, ultimately helping to expand and optimize domestic DNA production capabilities within Brazil.
In addition to scaling its technological and physical infrastructure, BioLinker plans to use the financial boost to significantly expand its human capital. The startup intends to double the size of its current workforce, growing its team from 12 employees to 24 professionals across various scientific, technical, and operational roles.
Despite securing this substantial $1.7 million influx, BioLinker’s current funding round remains open to prospective backers. Company leadership is actively seeking an international investor to join the syndicate, aiming to secure strategic support for broader global expansion initiatives ahead of a planned Series A funding round expected within the next two years.
Operating on a solid financial foundation, BioLinker currently generates steady recurring revenue through its commercialized products and services. Company leadership projects that the newly raised capital will comfortably sustain a full three years of continuous operations, providing the organization with the stability required to focus on long-term research, development, and market penetration without immediate pressure for additional capital raises.
