Indian speciality chemical startup Scimplify has raised $25 million in a fresh funding round led by Hitachi Ventures, aiming to accelerate its semiconductor chemicals and rare earth purification businesses while enhancing its AI-powered manufacturing platform, SciNode.
- Secured $25M from Hitachi Ventures and key global investors
- Focus on rare earth purification and semiconductor chemicals
- Plans expansion in US markets with domestic processing gaps
What happened
Scimplify completed a $25 million funding round led by Hitachi Ventures, supported by existing investors Accel, Bertelsmann India Investments, 3one4 Capital, Omnivore, and new entrants including Teknor Apex and Henkel. The Bengaluru- and Hyderabad-based startup specializes in speciality chemical manufacturing, particularly in semiconductor and battery chemicals.
The funds will be allocated toward expanding research, processing, and manufacturing capabilities, especially in rare earth and critical metals purification. Additionally, significant investment will enhance SciNode, Scimplify’s agentic AI platform designed to optimize end-to-end manufacturing and research processes.
Why it matters
Scimplify’s growth aligns with India’s broader ambition to strengthen its presence in the global chemicals value chain, particularly in high-tech sectors like semiconductor chemicals and rare earth processing where domestic capabilities are currently limited. The startup’s platform already serves 1,000 customers across more than 40 countries, reflecting its expanding international footprint.
This funding round underscores robust investor confidence in India’s deeptech and speciality chemicals space, supported by a strong talent pool, regulatory support, and increasing local demand. The sector saw a 176% year-over-year increase in funding in Q3 2026, indicating accelerating momentum in domestic innovation and manufacturing.
What to watch next
Scimplify plans to expand aggressively into the US market, targeting sectors that currently lack adequate domestic processing capabilities, such as rare earth metals purification and high-purity semiconductor and battery chemicals. Success here could position Scimplify as a critical supplier in these strategic industries globally.
Meanwhile, monitoring the development of its SciNode platform will be crucial as it could provide the startup with a competitive edge by seamlessly integrating AI-driven research and manufacturing, enhancing efficiency and product innovation across its network of over 500 manufacturing partners and thousands of scientific collaborators.