Indico Capital Partners is the leading independent Venture Capital firm in Portugal investing in global technology companies. Indico focuses on software as a service, artificial intelligence, internet of things, fintech, cybersecurity and digital companies, targeting investments at Seed to Series A level. Founded in 2017, the team at Indico were previously behind the majority of the Portuguese global tech success stories, as investors and entrepreneurs. Headed by the two most senior former Caixa Capital VC Team members, supported by a successful and experienced entrepreneur and a strong group of advisors, top entrepreneurs, they raised our first fund (authorized by the Portuguese Securities Market Commission - CMVM) from a cornerstone institutional investor (EIF) and international family/multi-family offices from Europe, US, and Australia. In addition to Silicon Valley, London, and Berlin, cities like Lisbon have emerging startup ecosystems. Portugal went through a difficult macro environment years ago which led to a growth in the entrepreneurship culture and investment. We have excellent tech graduates and a global mindset. Highly innovative companies like luxury eCommerce platform Farfetch, YC graduate machine learning translation platform Unbabel or the leading student accommodation marketplace Uniplaces have a strong Portuguese DNA and went to raise international rounds in the UK and the US - we want to back the next success stories of the ecosystem.

Indico Capital Partners

The Redrice team invest in purpose driven consumer brands and related tech companies at seed stage

Redrice Ventures

Vala Capital is a fast-growing European VC managing assets across regulated and alternative investment funds. Entrepreneur-led, the Vala investment business is a one of the UKs largest venture builders, working with founders from concept to exit across a variety of sectors. Founded by entrepreneur Jasper Smith and industry veteran James Faulkner, Vala provides active mentoring to each of its investments, access to a global network of other founders and strategic partners combined with the financial firepower to enable our portfolio companies to compete on the world stage.

Vala Capital

Icon Capital invests in high growth companies in which Icon Capital’s particular skill set, working in partnership with management, can create lasting value. Icon Capital brings together an unparalleled combination of expertise.

Icon Capital

Food Foundry is a growth accelerator program that provides promotion solutions to enhance business growth for catering industries. The Food Foundry supports, connects, and propels innovative startups who are reimagining the food industry. Food Foundry is a program by Relish Works built in partnership with Gordon Food Service and 1871.

Food Foundry

Btomorrow Ventures (BTV) is the corporate venturing unit of BAT.  BAT is building A Better Tomorrow by reducing the health impact of its business by transforming into a truly consumer-centric multi-category CPG company.  We are dedicated to partnering with ambitious and passionate entrepreneurs to realise their vision by providing a platform to enhance innovation and accelerate growth.

Btomorrow Ventures

At Pente, we invest in entrepreneurs and operators who aim to build great businesses. The teams we partner with are true builders, whether they work with wireframes, code, physical products or ideas. We see the emergence of a kinder and more sustainable world, powered by a new generation of businesses. A world where life's luxuries are redefined as design being the central determinator of quality.  We are working with the most promising founders and businesses to catalyze change with radical, empathetic visions for a better future.

Pente Capital

Newchip is a global remote startup accelerator. Newchip Accelerator, 1401 Lavaca St. PMB 40433, Austin, TX, 78701, Email: investing@newchip.com

Newchip Accelerator

FlexSea

FlexSea develops novel biomaterials derived from renewable marine resources to replace current primary plastic packaging.

FlexSea is a British biotech startup that develops seaweed-derived bioplastic. FlexSea’s bioplastic materials derived from seaweed are completely biodegradable in marine and soil environments and are also home-compostable within eight to 12 weeks. The use of seaweed allows a fast material turnover and efficient and sustainable raw material transformation. FlexSea claims that its thorough formulation allows it to produce materials cost-effectively when compared to other bio-based or biodegradable plastics.

Earth-friendly biotech solutions for the textile, packaging and construction industries.

Bio-based Materials

Seaweed bioplastic startup FlexSea bags £3m

FlexSea is a British biotech startup that develops seaweed-derived bioplastic. FlexSea’s bioplastic materials derived from seaweed are completely biodegradable in marine and soil environments and are also home-compostable within eight to 12 weeks. The use of seaweed allows a fast material turnover and efficient and sustainable raw material transformation. FlexSea claims that its thorough formulation allows it to produce materials cost-effectively when compared to other bio-based or biodegradable plastics.The company notes that a seaweed plant can achieve a growth rate of up to one meter per day, sustaining its growth throughout the year. As such, a complete cultivation cycle for FlexSea only requires approximately 45 days, whereas using ingredients like sugar cane would take more than a year, while corn and beetroot demand many months.The company's products are meant to be used in both dry food and non-food applications and offer a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics. As of October 2023, the company has yet to commercialize its products. The company is looking to initially commercialize its products in the UK and Portugal.Key customers and partnershipsIn October 2023, British American Tobacco (BAT), via its venture capital investment in FlexSea, was looking to cooperatively explore how FlexSea's technologies and methods could enhance BAT's supply chain.Funding and financialsIn October 2023, the company raised <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/22422">EUR 2.3 million </a>(~USD 2.4 million) in an equity seed funding round led by Indico Capital Partners.

<div>
 
 Bolt Threads manufactures vegan &ldquo;spider&rdquo; silk and mycelium-based materials. Bolt Threads develops isolated silk proteins from proteins inspired by spider silk through a yeast fermentation process. The company&rsquo;s Microsilk products are sold under its clothing brand, Best Made Co. The company has also developed another biomaterial using mushroom-based mycelium, an alternative leather product branded as Mylo, which was expected to be produced on a larger scale.&nbsp;
 
 
 In September 2021, Bolt Threads announced its plans to produce Mylo on a commercial scale by the end of 2022 and expected to collaborate with mushroom farmers to heighten its mycelium crops. Though the company reported 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/19867">
 halting production of Mylo
 </a>
 in June 2023 due to inflationary pressure and lack of funding, in October 2023, the company announced entering a 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/22431">
 SPAC deal
 </a>
 to go public on the Nasdaq.&nbsp;
 
 
 For its Microsilk product, Bolt had a production capacity of 32,000 sq ft per annum as of 2018. Since Microsilk remains significantly more expensive than traditional silk, the founders were seeking ways to scale up.&nbsp;
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 For its Microsilk product, Bolt Threads launched its first collaboration in 2017 with fashion designer Stella McCartney and introduced its second prototype in the form of a biodegradable tennis dress.
 &nbsp;
 
 
 The leather alternative Mylo has been used in collaborations with Stella McCartney, Seattle-based leather bag manufacturer Chester Wallace, and Canadian athletic apparel retailer Lululemon. In October 2020, the Mylo Consortium was also formed including Adidas, Stella McCartney, Kering, and Lululemon, who collectively have made a seven-figure investment into Bolt Threads to produce Mylo. In return for their investments, these brands would have access to a large supply of the product.&nbsp;
 
 
 Stella McCartney has been experimenting with Mylo to create clothing prototypes with plans to use the material in upcoming collections. Adidas used Mylo to produce high-performance footwear for the first time in April 2021 by making a vegan version of its &ldquo;Stan Smith&rdquo; sneaker design that dates back to 1965 and had plans to expand the use of Mylo material in its other products including handbags, wallets, shoes, jackets. In February 2022, 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/8404">
 Lululemon
 </a>
 launched a Mylo-based yoga bag collection, which included a multipurpose yoga bag and a storage bag for workout gear. Mylo was also used by Danish luxury brand Ganni for the launch of its limited edition Mylo-based wallet range and one-of-a-kind saddle-bags in June 2022. Ganni&rsquo;s partnership with Bolt Threads included plans to release more Mylo-based products in Q1 2023. With growing demand for its Mylo product, 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/8884">
 in February 2022, 
 </a>
 the company partnered with Mycelium Materials Europe (MME) for the commercial production of Mylo but had not been able to materialize its plans.
 
 
 Funding and financials
 
 
 The company&rsquo;s last funding round was a USD 123 million Series D in January 2018 led by Baillie Gifford. The funds were used to commercialize the company&rsquo;s Microsilk&nbsp;products.
 
 
 
</div>

Bolt Threads

MycoWorks is a manufacturer of alternative leather using mushroom-based fungi. Its proprietary brand, Reishi, is manufactured using a patented process called “Fine Mycelium”, which uses fungi’s capacity to bind to itself and carbon-based materials in producing durable three-dimensional material. The benefits of Reishi, according to MycoWorks, include its tensile strength (the force needed to pull material to its breaking point) at 10 Megapascals (MPa), compared to the average cowhide tensile strength of 8.5 MPa. Reishi is also customizable (in terms of sizing and specifications) allowing growing direct-to-design products that eliminate waste from cutting and trimming.Mycoworks operates three Reishi plants as of January 2022. The third plant in California has an annual production capacity of 80,000 sq ft of material per year, increased the company’s production tenfold, and reportedly reached a milestone of producing 10,000 trays of Fine Mycelium after a year of operation. The company is also building a new USD 107 million worth manufacturing facility in Union, South Carolina, with operations expected to commence in 2023. The new facility reportedly is expected to produce several million sq ft of Fine Mycelium per year. In August 2023, the company announced opening a <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/20757">136,000 square foot plant </a>&nbsp;which will produce Reishi that has been embraced by luxury brands like Hermès and Ligne Roset for various applications and was expected to begin operation on September 20, 2023.Reishi remains in the prototype development and testing phase. The company announced that the material is currently being tested in clothing, shoe, wallet, and handbag design. Key customers and partnershipsThe company indicated in November 2020 that the first luxury fashion and footwear products containing Reishi will be launched in partnership with leading fashion and footwear brands in the coming months. MycoWorks also partnered with Hermès, the French luxury goods manufacturer, in March 2021 to use a material named “Sylvania”(a Fine Mycelium-based material developed by the two companies over three years) in a sustainable version of Hermès’s “Victoria” travel bag, by the end of 2021. In <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/24584">November 2023</a>, the company partnered with YUME YUME for interactive Reishi-based installation at Stedelijk Museum. Funding and financials<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/7804">In January 2022</a>, MycoWorks raised USD 125 million in a Series C funding round led by Prime Movers Lab. The funding was expected to accelerate commercial production of Reishi and support in R&amp;D, technology development, and hiring new employees.

MycoWorks

Checkerspot is a manufacturer of microalgae-based performance materials which are used to produce consumer products, including skis and surfboards. The company modifies microalgae’s genes to derive new molecular building blocks and then bioengineers production of consumer products. Microbes are optimized to biomanufacture unique, natural structural oils that were previously not accessible on a viable, commercial scale. The company’s primary focus is on high-performance polyurethanes and coatings made from bio-based oil via fabrication.The company’s commercialized products include Algal Core (a light-weight urethane-based composite) and Algal Wall (cast urethane), both products are offered under the WNDR Alpine brand while algal oil is sold under the miDori bioWick. In February 2021, WNDR Alpine, Checkerspot’s outdoor brand, received the B Corp Certification, private certification granted to for-profit companies by the B Lab, a global non-profit organization formed to support the movement of using businesses as a force for good. Key customers and partnershipsThe company has partnered with Beyond Surface Technologies (BST) to commercialize miDori BioWick, an algal oil used in BST’s wicking textile finish. As of August 2020, the company’s co-development partners also included W.L. Gore and DIC Corporation.Funding and financialsIn its latest funding round in <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/16362">February 2023, </a>Checkerspot raised USD 55 million in Series C funding led by ArrowMark Partners to accelerate the development and commercialization of biobased alternatives for everyday products and expand into markets, such as industrial applications, personal care, and food and nutrition.

Checkerspot

Mi Terro converts milk waste into sustainable yarn, using a self-developed technology known as Pro-Act that extracts casein protein molecules from milk. The protein is purified and undergoes a dynamic flow shear spinning process, converting the casein to sustainable fiber. The resulting yarn is claimed to be three times softer than cotton and has applications in textiles, food packaging, bedding, personal care, and medical sectors. Mi Terro has also developed a limited-release ocean-waste duffle bag. Key customers and partnershipsThe company has partnered with Nike, Danone, Toyoshima, DFA, Mitsubishi, Lair East Labs, Dole, Budweiser, and Harada. In <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/23179">October 2023</a>, the company partnered with Lipton to develop dissolvable tea pods. Funding and financialsThe company completed two rounds of funding in 2020, raising USD 100,000 in January 2020 and USD 50,000 in March 2020. In January 2021, the company also won the Meda Million Dollar Challenge and received a USD 300,000 prize. In March 2022, the company raised USD 1.5 million in a Seed round led by Astanor to scale up production.

Mi Terro

Modern Meadow develops collagen-based materials from plant proteins, using a range of biofabrication processes including the creation of bio alloys, solution dyeing, protein design, and fermentation. The focus of the company is on the luxury branded market with its fully biodegradable proprietary brand, “ZOA”. Modern Meadow also reports that it is developing “Bioleather1 (BL1)”, an alternative to chrome tanned bovine leather made using its proprietary BioAlloy process. According to research published by the company in <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/8431">February 2022 </a>, BL1 reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 80% and 20% compared to traditional and synthetic leather respectively. It also reduces water consumption from groundwater sources, land use, and the subsequent degradation of water bodies during the process by 95% compared to conventional leather production.In April 2020, Modern Meadow announced plans to commence commercial production later that year and was actively looking for manufacturing partners. As of the same date, Modern Meadow employed between 70-90 staff at its 72,000 sq ft factory in New Jersey.Key customers and partnershipsModern Meadow announced a partnership with Evonik in March 2018, to develop and scale-up the commercial production of fermentation-based products.In April 2021, the company reported that it would announce collaborations with fashion brands and industry partners during the following six to nine months. In <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/15657">January 2023 </a>, Modern Meadow partnered with Taiwan-based sustainable fabric company, Singtex to develop biomaterials for various applications, beginning with a sustainable, waterproof, membrane-based material for the outdoor apparel market. In <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/16786">February 2023 </a>, the company partnered with US luxury brand, Tory Burch, to launch Tory Burch’s first plant-based leather alternative tote, the Ella Bio, powered by Modern Meadow technology, Bio-Alloy.In June 2023, it also formed a strategic partnership with <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/19178">Navis TubeTex </a>, a provider of textile machinery, to develop a sustainable textile manufacturing process. During the same month, it also formed a strategic partnership with <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/19868">BASF </a>to create an animal-free material called Bio-VERA that replicates the look, feel, and aging properties of traditional leather, suede, or chamois.In <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/30500">June 2024</a>, the company partnered with Earthletica to unveil the Bronte Jacket which used Bio-Alloy Shield technology.Funding and financialsIn April 2021, the company raised USD 130 million in a Series C funding round led by Key Partners Capital to (i) develop the company's biofabrication technology, used in creating an alternative to fossil-fuel-based textile coatings; and (ii) scale-up and commercialize its collagen-based leather material.

Modern Meadow

Developers of materials with applications across apparel, automobile, home goods, etc.

Developers of non-leather material alternatives such as wool, silk, and viscose—mostly for apparel

Developers of alternatives to plastic and other materials used in packaging

Developers of alternative materials for industrial applications such as sporting goods, electronic components, and automotive parts

Reuses waste to create bio-based materials

Sustainable alternatives to materials like animal leather, silk, plastic

ANALYST_QUICK_TAKE

PROMINENT_CATEGORY

<div>
 British biotech startup, FlexSea, who creates seaweed-derived bioplastic has joined forces with global packaging supplier, Essentra. The collaboration will focus on the development of alternative bioplastic materials from seaweed and other elements for packaging purposes. Essentra's investment in initial trials is ensuring ethical sourcing, the procurement of alternative materials, technical feasibility, and safety during the molding process.
 The objective of the partnership is to fabricate sustainable, seaweed-based bioplastics for a variety of new products. The trials have incorporated other compounds such as bio-wood, polylactic acids, and several kinds of nylons, comprising post-industrial recycled (PIR) and distinct varieties of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) from PIR and post-consumer recycled (PCR) resources. This initiative has conducted 19 trials on 14 materials, resulting in 52 unique product samples.
 
</div> Analyst QuickTake: 
 In <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/22422"> October 2023 </a> , FlexSea raised ~USD 2.4 million in seed funding to develop and commercialize its product and expand its presence in the market. Owing to Essentra's expertise and established position in the industry, the partnership with Essentra will likely play an important role in readying the company’s product for commercial applications.

FlexSea

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