• Naturbeads

  Participated · Series A · Nov 2024

  Naturbeads develops a patented process to refine cellulose into perfectly round, biodegradable microbeads intended to replace plastic microplastics in cosmetics and multiple industrial applications. The company commercialises a continuous manufacturing process and built its first production plant in Puglia, Italy, targeting a 2026 product launch and a production ramp in June. Its cellulose beads are being tested in cosmetics, personal care, paints and coatings, adhesives, packaging and other applications, and the company claims they are 100% biodegradable with performance comparable to plastic microbeads. Naturbeads was founded in 2018 as a University of Bath spin-out by Professor Davide Mattia, the late Professor Janet Scott, and CEO Giovanna Laudisio. Financially, Naturbeads raised a €8.9 million Series A in 2024 led by Eos Advisory and has now received a €4.1 million EU grant to help fund its plant and R&D. The company expects regulatory changes in the EU banning certain microplastic uses to drive increased demand for its alternatives.

• MOGU

  Participated · Series A · Jan 2024

  Mogu (soon to be legally named SQIM) develops mycelium-derived biomaterials across interior, textile, leather and automotive markets under brands including Mogu and Ephea. Through its Mogu brand the company offers wall, floor and acoustic interior products; it says its floor tiles are 87% biobased resin and resist scratches and abrasions like conventional floors. Ephea specialises in textiles targeted at luxury fashion and the automotive industries and is positioned as a new category of material rather than a direct leather replacement. The company plans to scale operations, advance R&D projects and open a new production plant. Leadership frames the work as proving that innovation, sustainability and industrialization can coexist and deliver impact in coming years. Mogu develops biomaterials applied to product design and interior architecture and pursues research lines in sustainable materials for responsible fashion and in the food sector for high-protein ingredients and foods. The company plans to expand its commercial offering in the design market and to strengthen its R&D division. It intends to focus growth strategies within the biomaterials sector and on expanding across the European market. Management says the operation follows a process of deep exchange among the parties and lays solid foundations for future prospects. Mogu reports a constant increase in demand for its innovative and sustainable materials, which it says is supported by European policies including the Green Deal. The company completed a capital increase to support these initiatives.

• Easy Rain

  Participated · Equity · Jul 2023

  Easyrain develops an automotive-oriented, modular safety ecosystem to detect and counter aquaplaning and improve low-grip driving conditions. Its stack comprises the AIS hardware platform that restores grip in wet conditions, the DAI software virtual sensor for safety and ADAS detection/calibration, and the ERC cloud data platform. Led by CEO and founder Giovanni Blandina, the company plans to industrialize AIS with a leading Tier‑1 supplier and reach production-ready status for AIS Proto-B by autumn 2024. DAI is scheduled for production in late 2025 and is being developed to evolve from a virtual sensor into a full ADAS detection and calibration platform to enhance autonomous driving in low-grip conditions. Easyrain will use the new funding to expand the team and accelerate development and market launch of DAI while industrializing the Aquaplaning Intelligent Solution. The company has raised a total of €15.8m across three funding rounds.

• Blubrake

  Participated · Series A · Oct 2020

  Blubrake is an Italian deep-tech company focused on bringing automotive-grade anti-lock braking technology to the e-bike market. Its proprietary ABS unit is designed for deep integration into e-bike frames and electronics, giving manufacturers a compact, high-performance safety module that improves braking control and reduces accidents. Over several years the team has advanced the hardware and software toward mass production. The company now intends to use fresh capital to scale industrial output, expand production capacity, and accelerate global market penetration. CEO Fabio Todeschini emphasizes the system’s performance advantages over conventional braking solutions, positioning Blubrake as a leading supplier of safety-critical e-bike components. With the latest financing, the Series B round totals €14.5 million, providing the resources needed for the next growth phase.

No current team members are available.