We’re thrilled to announce we are participating in an investment round for the new materials start-up Radiant Matter.
Radiant Matter develops unique IP for metallic-like glittering materials from plant-based cellulose without the use of dyes, pigments, metals, minerals or plastics. These sustainable alternatives for shimmer- and colour-effects have applications across multi-billion-dollar markets, including automotive, cosmetics, textiles, coatings and packaging.
At Ada Ventures, it’s simple: we like to invest in extraordinary talent-building breakthrough ideas. Radiant Matter fits the bill in two ways.
First, the Radiant Matter’s technology displays incredible technical and creative sophistication. Its technology leverages cellulose nanocrystals to create vibrant structural colours. These are like the dazzling colours that are seen in nature, for example on peacock feathers, butterfly wings and beetles. Their multidisciplinary team is working on developing their technology for various product applications. .
Second, the team combines technical expertise and commercial-mindedness. The company is led by two female co-founders with impressive backgrounds.
With over a decade of industry experience in design, technical development, manufacturing & management, CEO & Founder Elissa Brunato has a Material Futures MA from UAL and training from Ecole Lesage Paris. CTO & Co-Founder Cyan Williams has start-up experience in developing innovations, R&D strategies and scaling up tech in pilot plants and factories and a PhD in Photonic Materials from the University of Cambridge.
Radiant Matter uses nanotechnology (cellulose structural colour technology) to develop brilliant, colourful and sustainable materials which replicate the look and feel of existing plastic-based or otherwise negatively impactful options.
It’s complicated (and that’s why it’s so appealing on a venture level) so it’s perhaps best to describe it with a real-life working example:
Radiant Matter is developing the world’s first BioSequinTM embellishment. These sequins are made from renewable and abundant cellulose. This gives rise to brilliantly shimmering colours that are non-toxic, colourfast and pigment-free. They are free from minerals, metals, and associated mining, offering an ethical supply chain.
The Radiant Matter team is extremely mission-driven to address climate change and make a widespread positive impact on our planet by reducing microplastics and dependency on petrochemicals and mining as a colour and material resource. They are expanding their product offering across multiple markets to address:
• Petroleum-derived / plastic materials
• Products with metallic finishes or additives.
• Products that release microplastics or are microplastics
• Products linked to exploitative mining.
Radiant Matter’s technology has applications across a whole host of industries. It fits our climate thesis and is a practical way to tackle the scourge of microplastics.
Microplastics are small and minute pieces of plastic which seep into our oceans and soil.
According to some studies, plastic has been found in 59% of sea birds like albatross and pelicans; in 100% of sea turtle species; and more than 25% of fish sampled from markets around the world.
Environmentalists say that these can have a harmful impact on our health and the World Health Organisation advised we should reduce our exposure to them.
35% of microplastics released into the world’s oceans are from synthetic clothing.
I think that says it all.
Radiant Matter’s BioSequin™ embellishment is operating in a growing market. Fashion companies are increasing their commitments to sustainability and net zero, encouraged by consumer demand and more regulations around microplastics in the EU and UK.
Radiant Matter clearly fits within Ada’s climate equity vertical. The start-up will help industries reduce their greenhouse gas emissions improve circularity and reduce the amount of microplastics released into the environment.
Radiant Matter products are designed for end-to-end sustainability: made from highly renewable plant-based raw materials and enabling appropriate end-of-life disposal.
It was our Ada Ventures Scout Jasmin Thomas who found Radiant Matter at a Wired Impact event. Jasmin is one of our most successful scouts and has displayed real talent at finding deep-tech start-ups — find out more about how it happened here.
Ada Ventures invested alongside impact-driven and deep tech investors Sustainable Ventures (who led this round), Evenlode Impact Ltd, Martlet Capital Ltd, and with participation from the Cambridge Angels group and individual sector-specific angels.
Ada is delighted to support Radiant Matter in transforming how colour and materials are sourced and manufactured. This strategic investment will support Radiant Matter’s plans to expand their commercial roadmap, supporting governance and accelerating their technical development.
The BioSequinTM embellishment was utilised in their partnership with Stella McCartney and the garment was featured on eco-activist model Cara Delevingne in the Vogue US cover story. The team is further developing the product and addressing scalability to meet the high demand that they are seeing from industry —one to watch!
