Indonesian Genomics Firm Nusantics Secures Funding from East Ventures

Nusantics, a genomics technology startup based in Indonesia, announced that it secured an undisclosed amount of funding from early-stage venture capital firm East Ventures.

The company, founded in 2019 by Sharlini Eriza Putri, Vincent Kurniawan, and Revata Utama, said it would utilize the fresh funding to accelerate the pioneering of the BioGenome journey in Indonesia.

Nusantics said it focuses on applying advancements in genomics and microbiome research to fulfill the consumers’ needs of a healthy yet sustainable lifestyle.

Microbiome, a complex ecosystem of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi that live on and inside every human and every living thing on earth, is instrumental to the immune system.

The biotechnology company believes that understanding their own microbiome profile is essential in helping consumers pick the necessary products that fit their bodily needs and also are more sustainable.

“Advancement in deep tech has enabled us to realize that all lives on earth are interdependent on the microbiome,” said Sharlini. “Nusantics believe that understanding their genome is utterly important, and this will be the key to a sustainable future for this earth.”

As the first startup in Indonesia that analyzes microbiome profiles, Nusantics said it would begin to introduce its technology to the Indonesian lifestyle market by applying them for human skin, which is a living ecosystem of billions of microbiomes.

Melisa Irene, partner at East Ventures, said everyone now has realized that holistic quality of health and well being are paramount.

“If Indonesia could have an affordable, accessible, and accurate quality of health assessment for anyone, it will improve the overall quality of our nation,” she emphasized.

East Ventures, founded in 2009, is an early believer in the startup ecosystem in Indonesia. It is the first investor in Indonesia’s unicorn companies, such as Tokopedia and Traveloka.

Other notable companies in the portfolio include Mercari, Ruangguru, Warung Pintar, Fore Coffee, Kudo (acquired by Grab), Loket (acquired by Gojek), Tech in Asia, Xendit, IDN Media, MokaPOS, ShopBack, CoHive, Koinworks, Waresix, and Sociolla.