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BioDesign in Motion: Funding Surges, Strategic Collaborations, and Tech Breakthroughs Propel the Landscape of Sustainable Solutions

From Vinted’s new venture arm to Spiber’s commercial momentum and breakthroughs and developments in textile recycling and AI, the last month marks a pivotal surge in motion for the biodesign space.

May 05, 2025

Brightfiber Textiles Recycling Factory
Image: Brightfiber Textiles

In recent weeks, there has been no shortage of developments across the biodesign sector, ranging from investments, product launches, commercial collaborations, and technology progression. In particular, the textiles recycling sector is seeing progress in strides, seemingly bouncing back from a previously gloomy landscape. 

  • Cultivated Meat Companies Break Through Cost Barriers

  • Biodesign & AI: How AI and Machine Learning Are Accelerating Bio-Based Innovation

  • Vinted launches Vinted Ventures

  • Arda Biomaterials raises over £4M 

  • Eeden raises €18M in Series A 

And so much more

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  • Spiber and THE NORTH FACE Release a T-shirt 

  • Ambercycle Partnership Replaces Virgin Polyesters with Recycled Textiles

  • A Joint Effort to Develop T-Rex Leather

  • Checkerspot Announces GM-Free Palm Oil Alternative

  • Phytolon and Ginkgo Bioworks Triple Production Efficiency

  • Spiber Receives ISO Certifications

  • Brightfibre Textiles launches local recycling plant in Amsterdam

The BioDesign Newsletter

Issue #045

Market Insights

Cultivated Meat Companies Break Through Cost Barriers

A report that has seemingly gone under the radar is Lever VC’s report: A Second Generation of Cultivated Meat Companies Breaks Through Projected Cost Barriers. 

The report assesses the progress the market has made despite initial trepidation in 2013 with the debut of the first cultivated beef burger. The insights offer an optimistic story for other sustainability sectors which have parallels to the cultivated meat space. 

Biodesign & AI: How AI and Machine Learning Are Accelerating Bio-Based Innovation

AI may be a buzzword at the moment, however, that is not to say there isn’t real potential. This month's report from House of BioDesign digs into the benefits, limitations, and potential that AI can bring to the BioDesign sector.

This report, to be released on 6 May 2025, will only be available to House of BioDesign Members, so be sure to join the community to stay up-to-date on the latest insights.

Would your network find this interesting? Share it along with your thoughts.

Investments

Vinted launches Vinted Ventures

Vinted Group, the home of Vinted, the marketplace for second-hand goods, has announced that they have launched an investment arm, Vinted Ventures. 

The intention behind the Vinted group has always been to help reshape consumer behaviour towards second-hand goods, and this announcement is their latest move to accelerate this message. Vinted Ventures will invest, from Series A to Series C, in startups that resonate with their mission around altering consumption behaviours, with the ticket ranging from €0.5M - €10M (£0.4M - £8.5M).

Arda Biomaterials raises over £4M 

London-based biomaterials company Arda Biomaterials has closed its latest funding round with £4.05M. The round was led by Oyster Bay Venture Capital with investors including Green Angel Venture, Clean Growth Fund and Kadmos Capital. With this injection ,Arda will continue developments on its product New Grain™, a leather-like material which has already been seen in collaborations with BEEN London and Beavertown Brewery. 

Eeden raises €18M in Series A 

Textiles recycling company, Eeden has raised €18M (£15.3M) in their Series A. Eeden will use this funding to build a demonstration plant and scale its operations. This round was led by Netherlands-based VC, Forbion, with additional backing from Henkel Ventures, NRW.Venture, TechVision Fund, High-Tech Gründerfonds and D11Z. Ventures.

Until next time,

Ariyana & The House of BioDesign Team

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