Manus Bio
Augusta, US · Founded 2011 · Delaware corporation · 189 employees on LinkedIn · 9 known investors
Manus Bio uses industrial biotechnology and engineered microbial cell factories to produce "BioAlternatives" — sustainable versions of molecules normally sourced from petrochemicals, agriculture, or animal husbandry — and offers a scale-up platform covering cell factory design through biomanufacturing. Its products include sweeteners and flavor/fragrance ingredients supplied to food and consumer goods companies such as Tate & Lyle and Givaudan.
Founders & leadership
Manus Bio was founded in 2011 by Ajikumar Parayil, Aji Parayil, and Greg Stephanopoulos.
AP
Ajikumar ParayilCo-founder
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Aji ParayilCo-founder
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Greg StephanopoulosCo-founder
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Gregory StephanopoulosNamed on SEC filing
Board
JW
CB
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Richard GoldsteinBoard director
Investors · 9
+ND CapitalWoodside · $540K – $5.4M
Civilization Ventures Management, LlcTiburon · $1M – $10M
Energy Impact PartnersNew York · $5M – $20M
Liebenthal VenturesOld Westbury · $25K – $500K
Nelstone Venturesvia Rich Nelson · inferred
NXT VenturesMarblehead · $250K – $1M
Prefix CapitalSan Francisco
Rhapsody Venture PartnersCambridge · $500K – $2M
Alpha Wave GlobalreportedMiamivia Rick Gerson · board
Reported raises · per SEC filings
Form D private placements$118M disclosed across 6 rounds · 2016–2024
▶$11.3MraisedMay 2024 · 6 investors · OtherRule 506(b)
▶$11.3MraisedMay 2024 · 6 investors · Other
Rule 506(b)Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
- Ajikumar Parayil KumaranDirector, Executive Officer
- Rick GersonDirector
- Alena IvashenkaDirector
- Julio A. Ruiz CalderonExecutive Officer
- Michael CarlosDirector
- Jean NehmeDirector
- Offering amount
- $11.3M
- Amount sold
- $11.3M
- First sale
- Apr 2024
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
▶$21.2MraisedMay 2023 · 14 investors · OtherRule 506(b)
▶$21.2MraisedMay 2023 · 14 investors · Other
Rule 506(b)Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
- John NehmeDirector
- Michael CarlosDirector
- Jeremiah HuxExecutive Officer
- Ajikumar ParayilExecutive Officer, Director
- Rick GersonDirector
- Alena IvashenkaDirector
- Offering amount
- $22.3M
- Amount sold
- $21.2M
- First sale
- Aug 2021
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
▶$66.2MraisedNov 2020 · 27 investors · OtherRule 506(b)
▶$66.2MraisedNov 2020 · 27 investors · Other
Rule 506(b)Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
- Gregory StephanopoulosDirector
- Zanna McFersonDirector
- Raymond ChangDirector
- Bryon AlsbergDirector
- Michael CarlosDirector
- Colin GoundenDirector
- Christine SantosExecutive Officer
- Paul BoniExecutive Officer
- Jeff AndersonExecutive Officer
- Ajikumar ParayilExecutive Officer, Director
- Offering amount
- $80M
- Amount sold
- $66.2M
- First sale
- Apr 2020
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
▶$10MraisedJul 2018 · 15 investors · OtherRule 506(b)
▶$10MraisedJul 2018 · 15 investors · Other
Rule 506(b)Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
- Paul BoniExecutive Officer
- Zanna McFersonDirector
- Michael CarlosDirector
- Gregory StephanopoulosDirector
- Colin GoundenDirector
- Raymond ChangDirector
- Ajikumar ParayilExecutive Officer, Director
- Bryon AlsbergDirector
- Christine SantosExecutive Officer
- Jeff AndersonExecutive Officer
- Offering amount
- $12M
- Amount sold
- $10M
- First sale
- Jun 2018
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
▶$9.1MraisedDec 2017 · 24 investors · BiotechnologyRule 506(b)
▶$9.1MraisedDec 2017 · 24 investors · Biotechnology
Rule 506(b)Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
- Byron AlsbergDirector
- Michael CarlosDirector
- Colin GoundenDirector
- Carsten BoersDirector
- Gregory StephanopoulosDirector
- Ajikumar ParayilExecutive Officer, Director
- Offering amount
- $10M
- Amount sold
- $9.1M
- First sale
- Aug 2017
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
▶$300KraisedOct 2016 · 2 investors · BiotechnologyRule 506(b)
▶$300KraisedOct 2016 · 2 investors · Biotechnology
Rule 506(b)Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
- Richard GoldsteinDirector
- Jason WhaleyDirector
- Carsten BoersDirector
- Ajikumar ParayilExecutive Officer, Director
- Gregory StephanopoulosDirector
- Offering amount
- $3M
- Amount sold
- $300K
- First sale
- Sep 2016
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
Source: SEC EDGAR Form D. Amounts as filed; amended filings shown once at their latest values.
Competitors · 2
by search overlap
Manus15 shared keywordsManus is an AI agent platform that automates complex workflows and business processes for teams without requiring additional headcount. It enables users to build full-stack applications with automated coding, database, deployment, and payment integration.
Perelel10 shared keywords
Companies competing with Manus Bio for the same Google search keywords, organic and paid, via search-intersection analysis.
Non-dilutive funding · 6 SBIR/STTR awards
Federal grants — no equity taken| Agency | Phase | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Agriculture (USDA) | Phase I | 2018 | $99K |
| National Science Foundation | Phase II | 2017 | $600K |
| National Science Foundation | Phase I | 2016 | $225K |
| National Science Foundation | Phase ISTTR | 2013 | $225K |
| National Science Foundation | Phase I | 2013 | $150K |
| National Science Foundation | Phase I | 2012 | $150K |
Source: SBIR.gov award data (U.S. Small Business Administration). SBIR/STTR awards are competitive federal R&D grants and contracts — non-dilutive capital alongside any venture rounds above.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Manus Bio do?
- Manus Bio uses industrial biotechnology and engineered microbial cell factories to produce "BioAlternatives" — sustainable versions of molecules normally sourced from petrochemicals, agriculture, or animal husbandry — and offers a scale-up platform covering cell factory design through biomanufacturing. Its products include sweeteners and flavor/fragrance ingredients supplied to food and consumer goods companies such as Tate & Lyle and Givaudan.
- Who founded Manus Bio?
- Manus Bio was founded by Ajikumar Parayil, Aji Parayil, Greg Stephanopoulos in 2011.
- Who are Manus Bio's investors?
- Manus Bio's investors include +ND Capital, Civilization Ventures Management, Llc, Energy Impact Partners, Liebenthal Ventures, Nelstone Ventures, NXT Ventures, Prefix Capital, Rhapsody Venture Partners and 1 more.
- How much funding has Manus Bio raised?
- Manus Bio has disclosed $118M raised across 6 rounds.
- Where is Manus Bio headquartered?
- Manus Bio is headquartered in Augusta, US.