Bucha Bio

Based in New York, Bucha Bio is a startup that develops bio-based material alternatives to leather for automotive, fashion, and interior design applications. The material is produced from bacterial nanocellulose derived from the ‘kombucha brewing’ process, combining sweet tea with bacteria to form mats, which are then dried, processed, and treated with natural waxes and dyes. The company plans to work with larger companies to co-develop the material for specific applications such as biotextiles, biofibers, hard composites, and protective packaging products. In October 2021, the company launched MIRAI (rebranded to SHORAI in February 2022), a signature luxury biotextile material that is as durable as traditional leather and can also be customized to different colors and textures. The company claims that its vegan leather material can be produced significantly faster than animal leather, are fully biodegradable, and is ‘infinitely’ renewable.

Bucha Bio announced that it is shifting its headquarters to Houston from New York in February 2022, and will be opening offices at the East End Maker Hub, a hub providing manufacturing facilities and amenities for startups and entrepreneurs.

Key customers and partnerships

By the end of 2020, the company claimed that they were working with partners to incorporate the material in footwear, pillows, and clothing. As of January 2022, Bucha Bio reported that it is developing “more than a dozen” prototypes with various brands in the fashion, car, and interior design industries and is yet to announce the names of its partners.

Funding and Financials

In September 2022, the company raised USD 1.1 million in an oversubscribed seed funding round led by existing investors including New Climate Ventures, Lifely VC and Beni VC. The company also previously raised USD 550,000 in another oversubscribed seed funding round in October 2021.