Berlin-based startup Cambrium has successfully raised 8 million euros, approximately $9.5 million U.S. dollars, in seed funding. This financial boost is set to propel the company’s innovative work in creating biomaterials for the apparel and footwear industries, utilizing the power of biology and machine learning. The funding round was led by Essential Capital, with participation from SNR, Valor Equity Partners, and HOF Capital, signaling strong investor confidence in Cambrium’s vision.
Cambrium’s groundbreaking technology platform focuses on transforming novel molecules with unique functionalities into sustainable material alternatives. By employing artificial intelligence, automation, and synthetic biology, the company is developing substitutes for traditional materials that rely on petrochemicals or animal-derived components. This approach addresses the growing demand for eco-friendly and ethical options in material sourcing.
The company’s initial success is rooted in NovaColl, their first molecular ingredient. NovaColl is a micro-molecular collagen, identical to human skin collagen, designed for skincare applications. The newly acquired seed funding will enable Cambrium to build upon this success, scaling up the manufacturing and commercialization of NovaColl. The ultimate goal is to fully replace conventional animal-derived collagen in various applications. Furthermore, Cambrium plans to leverage the funding to accelerate its product pipeline, introducing new molecules tailored for diverse applications and industries within the next two years.
“We established Cambrium to fast-track nature’s innovation cycle, developing novel molecules with rapid scalability for significant material impact,” stated Duffy, likely a founder or key executive at Cambrium. “I am proud of our team’s ability to generate substantial revenue with a bioindustrial ingredient at such an early stage, even pre-seed. We are also grateful to have secured the support of the right investors for our next phase of expansion.”
Investor Enthusiasm for Synthetic Biology and Biomaterials
Ron Zori from Essential Capital, the lead investor in this funding round, highlighted the transformative potential of Cambrium’s approach. “The synergy of synthetic biology and AI is fundamentally changing how we innovate at the molecular level,” Zori commented. “Cambrium is at the forefront of this significant shift, reinventing the foundational elements of industry, one molecule at a time. Their computational biology platform, evidenced by the rapid creation and launch of NovaColl, demonstrates a remarkable ability to translate scientific breakthroughs into high-performing, sustainable molecules across multiple sectors. We are excited to support them on this journey.”
This investment in Cambrium is part of a broader trend of increasing financial interest in biomaterial companies. Plant-based material science company Algenesis recently announced $5 million in seed funding to expand the applications of their bio-based material beyond footwear. Similarly, biomaterials startup Gozen secured $3.3 million to accelerate the development of their leather alternative, Lunaform. These investments, alongside Cambrium’s 8 million euros (approximately $9.5 million), underscore the growing momentum and investor confidence in the biomaterials sector as a source of sustainable and innovative solutions for various industries.
