About Rylaq Rylaq is an innovation-driven startup reimagining the future of food through modern agriculture and applied research. One of our initiative focuses on indoor vertical mushroom farming, leveraging controlled environment agriculture (CEA), biotechnology, and sustainability to deliver high-quality gourmet and medicinal mushrooms. Our mission is to create replicable, efficient, and scalable farming models that align with the demands of future food systems. Role Overview We are looking for an experienced Advisor or Director to join Rylaq’s advisory board and provide strategic and technical leadership in launching and scaling our mushroom farming operations. This role is ideal for someone who wants to co-create impact in sustainable agriculture and guide a young team through scientific, operational, and regulatory complexities. Key Responsibilities Production & Cultivation Guidance Advise on substrate formulas, inoculation methods, fruiting conditions, and spawn management Help develop robust SOPs for scalable, consistent, and high-yield cultivation Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Provide input on environmental control systems (humidity, airflow, lighting, CO₂, temperature) Recommend automation tools for monitoring and control Quality Assurance & Food Safety Guide the implementation of food safety protocols such as HACCP, ISO 22000, FSSAI Support audit preparedness and help establish QA/QC checkpoints Strategic & Commercial Input Advise on R&D priorities, product strategy, and go-to-market readiness Share insights or connections for procurement, partnerships, and certifications Mentor the internal team through pre-commercialization and early operations Ideal Profile 8–15 years of experience in mushroom farming, horticulture, vertical farming, or agritech Strong foundation in fungiculture, controlled environment systems, and food safety standards Previous involvement in early-stage startups or advisory roles is a plus Comfortable working with a lean, impact-driven team Entrepreneurial mindset with long-term vision Compensation Structure Initial Phase (Pre-Revenue): Sweat equity compensation as a member of the founding team. Post-Milestone Achievement (e.g., pilot success, first commercial harvest, or funding): Transition to monthly paid remuneration, with terms agreed in advance. Equity Vesting & Role Growth: Opportunity to formalize as a Director/CTO/Scientific Lead depending on engagement and outcomes What You Gain A meaningful role in shaping a future-facing, sustainable agritech startup Equity in a high-potential venture Potential transition into a paid leadership role Flexible time commitment tailored to your availability and impact Show more Show less
About Rylaq Rylaq is pioneering high-value functional mushroom products—ranging from DIY grow-kits to nutraceutical formulations. As we scale our cultivation and extraction operations, we’re seeking an industry veteran to guide our R&D, production protocols, and quality systems. Role Overview As our Director – Mushroom Cultivation & Extraction, you will: Advise on the design and optimization of controlled-environment growth chambers Develop and validate scalable extraction processes for bioactive compounds Establish SOPs and QC/QA benchmarks (e.g., β-glucan assays, microbial limits) Mentor our technical team and liaise with contract growers/labs You’ll be the technical authority driving Rylaq’s upstream (spawn → fruiting) and midstream (harvest → extract) excellence. Key Responsibilities Cultivation Strategy: Recommend substrate formulations (sawdust, coir, bran) and spawn ratios Optimize parameters (temperature, humidity, CO₂, light) for Cordyceps, Lion’s Mane, Reishi, etc. Extraction & Formulation: Design scalable solvent- or water-based extraction workflows Specify concentration targets, solvent recovery, and residue management Quality & Compliance: Draft and implement GMP-level SOPs Define QC tests: potency (HPLC/UV), microbial, heavy metals Ensure FSSAI/ISO/HACCP readiness Team Leadership: Train lab technicians on sterile technique, aseptic transfers, and batch records Coordinate with external contract manufacturers for pre-order kit fulfillment Technology Evaluation: Scout and pilot new bioreactor, pasteurization, and drying technologies Drive continuous improvement via small-scale trials and data analysis Ideal Candidate Profile Experience: 10+ years in mushroom cultivation and/or extraction for nutraceutical or pharmaceutical applications Proven track record scaling from lab to commercial (5 kg→500 kg+/month) Technical Skills: Deep understanding of spawn preparation, sterile culture, substrate pasteurization/sterilization Expertise in extraction techniques (Soxhlet, maceration, supercritical CO₂) Familiarity with downstream processing: concentration, spray drying, encapsulation Regulatory Know-How: Hands-on with FSSAI/DGFT regulations for food/health products GMP, HACCP documentation and audits Soft Skills: Strong coaching and cross-functional communication Data-driven mindset with proficiency in basic statistical tools Entrepreneurial spirit and comfort in a fast-moving startup What We Offer Strategic advisory equity or profit-share package Opportunity to shape a novel functional mushroom brand from the ground up Collaboration with a passionate, multidisciplinary team Show more Show less
Rylaq is an early-stage startup specializing in premium mushroom and micro-algae nutraceuticals. We’re launching a closed-system Spirulina platform—from photobioreactor cultivation through downstream extraction—to deliver high-purity powders, phycocyanin pigments, functional blends, and finished formats for human and pet wellness. Key Responsibilities Technical Leadership: Design, commission, and optimize Spirulina photobioreactors (500 L–5 m³) for sterile, high-density growth. Develop scale-up protocols: inoculum preparation, medium formulation, light/temperature control, pH/CO₂ management, mixing strategies. Downstream Process Development: Architect and validate harvesting (flocculation, filtration, centrifugation), drying (spray/tray/freeze), and extraction (aqueous, solvent, membrane) workflows. Establish SOPs for phycocyanin purification, concentration, stabilization, and GMP-grade quality release. Equipment Sourcing & Vendor Management: Identify and qualify domestic/international suppliers of PBRs, dryers, centrifuges, filters, and control systems. Lead procurement, installation (FAT/SAT), commissioning, and vendor negotiations to meet project timelines and budgets. Regulatory & Quality Compliance: Ensure facility and processes comply with FSSAI, GMP/ISO 22000, and (where applicable) FDA/EU Novel Foods standards. Implement HACCP, microbial testing, and batch-release quality controls. Team Building & Stakeholder Collaboration: Recruit, mentor, and manage a cross-functional team of process engineers, lab technicians, and operators. Partner with R&D, formulation, and commercial teams to translate bench-scale innovation into scalable, market-ready products. Qualifications & Experience Education: M.Tech/Ph.D. in Biotechnology, Biochemical Engineering, Microbiology, or related field. Experience: ≥ 10 years in micro-algae or fermentation biotech, with ≥ 5 years leading Spirulina photobioreactor operations. Proven track record in downstream processing (flocculation, centrifugation, filtration, drying, pigment extraction). Technical Skills: Photobioreactor design & automation (pH/DO/Temp). Upstream scale-up strategies and mass/energy balance modeling. Downstream unit operations and PAT tools. Vendor & Project Management: Experience sourcing and qualifying OEM equipment, managing CAPEX budgets, and leading cross-functional vendor relationships. Regulatory Knowledge: Hands-on familiarity with FSSAI/GMP/ISO dietary-supplement regulations; export standards a plus. Soft Skills: Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and communication skills. Results-driven, with exceptional problem-solving ability. Equity & Perks Compensation: Equity stake in Rylaq (based on milestones) Perks: Lead design of Rylaq’s first commercial Spirulina platform Flexible work model and direct influence on product direction Opportunity to build and mentor a high-impact technical team
Rylaq is at a pivotal growth stage, launching our new vertical for natural astaxanthin production from Haematococcus pluvialis. We are seeking an visionary and results-driven Director of Cultivation & Extraction to lead this critical new venture from concept to commercial scale. This is a unique, ground-floor opportunity for an experienced leader to build a world-class operation and participate directly in the company's success. What You Will Do: Strategic Leadership: Define and execute the end-to-end strategy for Haematococcus pluvialis cultivation in closed photobioreactors (PBRs), specifically leveraging bubble column bioreactor technology for optimal growth and astaxanthin induction. R&D and Optimization: Lead ongoing research and development efforts to optimize Haematococcus strains, nutrient media, light regimes, temperature control, CO2 supply, and stress induction protocols for maximum astaxanthin yield and quality. Facility Design & Setup: Oversee the design, procurement, installation, and commissioning of state-of-the-art PBR systems, harvesting equipment, and initial extraction facilities within our 2000 sq ft dedicated microalgae cultivation space. Process Development & Scaling: Develop, standardize, and scale up robust cultivation protocols from pilot to commercial production levels. Extraction & Downstream Processing: Implement and optimize efficient, cost-effective methods for biomass harvesting, cell disruption, and astaxanthin extraction to ensure high purity and recovery. Quality Assurance & Control: Establish stringent QC/QA protocols for all stages, from inoculum to final product, ensuring compliance with relevant industry standards (e.g., FSSAI, GMP where applicable). Team Building & Management: Recruit, train, and mentor a high-performing team of scientists, engineers, and technicians. Innovation & IP: Drive continuous innovation and contribute to the company's intellectual property portfolio related to Haematococcus cultivation and astaxanthin extraction. Sustainability & Efficiency: Ensure all processes adhere to Rylaq's commitment to sustainability, resource efficiency, and circular economy principles. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with the R&D, operations, and business development teams to align production with market needs. What We Are Looking For: Educational Background: Ph.D. or Master's degree in Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology, Algal Biotechnology, or a related field. Experience: Minimum 8-12 years of hands-on, progressive experience in microalgae cultivation, with at least 3-5 years specifically focused on Haematococcus pluvialis and astaxanthin production at a significant scale (pilot to commercial). Proven expertise in designing, operating, and optimizing closed photobioreactors (PBRs), particularly bubble column systems. Demonstrable experience in microalgae harvesting techniques (centrifugation, filtration) and downstream processing for biochemical extraction (cell disruption, solvent/solvent-free extraction of astaxanthin). Strong understanding of algal physiology, biochemistry, and bioprocess engineering. Leadership: Proven track record of leading and mentoring technical teams, managing complex projects, and driving innovation in a dynamic environment. Problem-Solving: Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills with a practical, hands-on approach. Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with quality standards and regulatory requirements for nutraceuticals or food ingredients in India. Pioneering Spirit: Highly self-motivated, adaptable, and thrives in a fast-paced, startup environment. Location: Remote initially and Willingness to travel to to Palakkad, Kerala, for on-site presence. Compensation: This is an equity-only position designed for a visionary leader passionate about pioneering the future of sustainable biotechnology. You will receive a significant equity stake in Rylaq Private Limited, directly aligning your success with the company's growth and value creation. Full details of the equity vesting schedule and terms will be discussed with qualified candidates. Why Join Rylaq? Impact: Play a foundational role in building a cutting-edge, sustainable industry from the ground up in India. Ownership: Direct ownership in the company's success through substantial equity. Innovation: Work at the forefront of microalgae technology with a focus on high-value products. Mission-Driven: Be part of a team committed to environmental sustainability and health. Growth: Immense personal and professional growth potential within a rapidly expanding startup. If you are a bold innovator, a hands-on leader, and believe in the power of microalgae to transform industries, we invite you to be a part of Rylaq's journey. Rylaq is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.