Ace International Ltd has secured $35 million (Rs 305 crore) in its first institutional fundraise, drawing investment from FMO, responsAbility, Incofin and Fiedlin Ventures. The round marks a defining moment for the integrated food and nutrition ingredients company as it accelerates its push into advanced nutrition and high-performance dairy ingredients. Inval Capital served as the exclusive advisor on the transaction.

The capital infusion sets the stage for Ace’s next phase of scale: the construction of a greenfield, fully integrated dairy ingredients and nutrition complex in Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh. Positioned as one of the most advanced facilities of its kind globally—and the first in Asia to introduce next-generation dairy nutrition processing technology—the Kuppam plant will enable the company to manufacture bespoke, high-value nutrition ingredients tailored to the evolving demands of global food, health and wellness brands.

The facility is designed to be a hub of innovation, operational agility and category expansion, strengthening Ace’s ability to scale rapidly into new product lines. As the global market shifts toward premiumisation, functionality and customisation in nutrition, the company’s expanded manufacturing footprint will help it compete at a higher tier, both in India and internationally.

Strategically located within a thriving agricultural ecosystem and connected to robust logistics networks, the Kuppam complex will engage more than 40,000 farmers, with a strong emphasis on integrating women into formal value chains. This sourcing model is expected to strengthen rural livelihoods, support inclusive economic development and advance gender equity across the supply chain.

Investors backing the round pointed to Ace’s combination of technical capability, market relevance and sustainability orientation. They emphasised the company’s strong leadership, entrepreneurial mindset and ability to develop innovative products for a fast-evolving global nutrition landscape. The investment aligns with their broader mandate of supporting sustainable, value-creating enterprises in the food sector, while also expanding Ace’s smallholder supply chain from about 49,000 farmers today to more than 80,000 by 2030.

With the fundraising complete, Ace International is poised to scale its vision of transforming how India produces and delivers advanced nutrition, aiming to position the country as a competitive force in the global nutrition ingredients market.