Oxford researcher from Kerala runs agri-startup from revamped cowshed in Malappuram

His mother made the first investment, and his partner—now wife—joined as co-founder, and that was the beginning of Malappuram native Chidambareswaren Mahadevan's agri-biotech startup in March 2025. With research experience spanning Kerala, the US, the UK, and Germany, he was determined to apply the science he had mastered to the farmlands that shaped his childhood. His venture, Claybiome Innovations, founded on the motto “Nature, Science, Innovation,” is registered in his hometown of Perinthalmanna, with its first demo manufacturing unit set up in a renovated cattle shed beside his house.

“I started everything here, inspired by the diverse farming culture I saw growing up,” says Chidambareswaren. Claybiome develops bio-pellets that combine molecular ecology and biotechnology to create crop-specific soil formulations. These enhance nutrient efficiency, microbial diversity, and carbon retention—helping farmers sustainably boost yield.

A graduate in Biotechnology (BSc) and Plant Molecular Biology (MSc), agriculture has always been part of his life. “Our family cultivated black pepper, turmeric, and arecanut,” he recalls. “I was always fascinated by pepper and its resilience.” After completing his post-graduation, he joined the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) in Thiruvananthapuram, where he researched plant immunity—particularly black pepper’s resistance to quick wilt, a disease that had long affected his family’s farm. “That’s where the idea for Claybiome first took root,” he says.

At RGCB, he met Dr Ketakee Mahajan, a biotechnology researcher from Pune in Maharashtra, who would later become his partner in life and work. In 2015, he received a Fulbright Fellowship to the United States to study gene editing. After submitting his thesis in 2018, he briefly worked at the Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR) in Kozhikode before completing his PhD in 2019.

That same year, he moved to Germany for a postdoctoral fellowship in soil microbiology and plant–bacteria interactions. “I was part of a study exploring how soil microbes influence plant health,” he says. In 2022, he joined the Department of Biology at Oxford University, where he worked on large-scale research into plant–microbe interactions. “It was there I realised our lab research could be transformed into real-world agricultural solutions back home in Kerala.”

He returned to Kerala in 2024 with a clear mission—to turn years of research into practical innovations for farmers. “Academically, I could fit anywhere in the world, but I wanted to create something of my own that truly benefited the land I came from,” he says.

Meanwhile, Ketakee completed her PhD in Cancer Biology in early 2025, and together they registered Claybiome. “Though our research fields were different, biotechnology connects everything,” he says. “Now she oversees operations, fundraising, and outreach. We always wanted our scientific work to have a real-world impact.”

The startup’s first investor was his mother, Rajeswari, a retired music teacher who still manages the family’s small farm. “My mother has been my biggest support,” he says. “My father, Mahadevan, who passed away three years ago, was both a farmer and an entrepreneur—I got my love for business from him.”

Claybiome’s bio-pellets are formulated from eleven plant-derived components that enrich soil quality and improve crop yield. “Each plant has unique bio-nutrient needs,” explains Chidambareswaren. “Our pellets are designed according to crop type, soil condition, and climate—making them adaptable and effective.”

The small-scale production unit now operates from the converted cowshed at his home. The first batch of products is expected to reach farmers by January 2026. “We’ll begin with field testing to refine the formulation based on farmer feedback,” he says. “Our goal is to build regenerative bio-inputs that can redefine soil management,” says Chidambareswaren. Claybiome’s upcoming products include organic carbon boosters to restore soil health, slow-release additives for efficient fertiliser delivery, AI-based microbiome solutions for crop-specific soil strategies, and root inducers to enhance plant growth.

The couple also travels frequently to study global agricultural practices. “Whenever we hear about innovative techniques abroad, we try to visit and learn, just like our recent trip to Italy”, he says. Chidambareswaren also has a sister who is settled in Florida.