• Matter

  Led · Series A · Aug 2023

  Matter is a Bristol-based cleantech company focused on eliminating microplastic and microfibre pollution generated during textile production. Its flagship solution, Regen, is an industrial filtration system that captures synthetic fibres before they enter waterways. The company claims its technology, when fully deployed, could be installed in 400 factories by 2030 and prevent 15,000 tonnes of microplastic pollution from reaching the ocean over the next five years. Matter collaborates closely with manufacturers such as Paradise Textiles, which supplies brands including Calvin Klein and The North Face. The firm was the only UK finalist for Prince William's Earthshot Prize 2025, underscoring its environmental impact potential. Financially, Matter previously raised a $10 million Series A round backed by S2G Ventures, SOUNDwaves and Regeneration.VC. The new strategic investment led by Inter IKEA will support large-scale deployment of its Regen systems across the global textile supply chain. With growing corporate interest in sustainable water use, Matter is positioning its technology as a commercially viable pathway to industry-wide pollution reduction.

• Chooose

  Led · Equity · Jan 2023

  Chooose provides a software platform that automates emissions calculations and connects customers to third-party marketplaces for carbon mitigation solutions, including verified offsets and sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). The company has gained traction in aviation and travel, with customers including British Airways, Air Canada, Iberia, Japan Airlines and Southwest Airlines. Its platform supplies data on SAF availability, potential CO2 savings and verified offset credits to cover flight activity. The fresh financing is intended to fund product enhancements, operational growth into new geographies and expansion into additional verticals. Chooose positions its software to embed emissions awareness and access to climate solutions into decision-making across industries. The article does not disclose revenue or user metrics. Chooose operates a subscription service that uses subscriber funds to buy carbon credits and UN Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) on European carbon markets and then permanently destroys them. The company offers subscription options tied to country-average CO2 emissions so individuals can own a share of CO2 reductions. Founded in 2017, Chooose says it has removed over 71 million kilograms of CO2 from the market. It has raised USD 1.3 million from investors. Competitors and partners include South Pole and 3 Degrees, and the company sources credits from those and other suppliers. Chooose is building a community around shrinking the available supply of carbon permits and plans to launch cryptocurrency tokens based on blockchain technology for that community.

• Cruz Foam

  Participated · Series A · Oct 2022

  Cruz Foam converts chitin — the shells of crustaceans and many insects — into strong, stable, fully biodegradable materials intended to replace expanded polystyrene (EPS) and polyethylene foam. The company has been prototyping multiple form factors, purchased an extruder, and completed pilot work with partners such as Whirlpool. It is exploring additional verticals including cold chain, CPG, e-commerce, construction, and injection molding, and is in talks with several large packaging-foam manufacturers about co-manufacture or licensing. Cruz Foam plans to scale via existing manufacturers’ infrastructure rather than building a large owned manufacturing fleet. The company is filing patents, moving to a new headquarters, has grown to about 30 people, and will use new funding for operations and R&D. Its products are broadly compostable (often degrading in a month or two), though integrating with municipal waste and recycling systems remains a challenge. Cruz Foam produces lightweight, durable, backyard-compostable packaging foam made from chitin found in discarded shrimp and other crustacean shells, using a patented process that combines chitin with starches, fungi, hemp and recycled fibers. The material can be molded and cut to replace expanded polystyrene (EPS) one-for-one and can be tuned for diverse shape and rigidity requirements. The company is scaling manufacturing and logistics to fulfill a confirmed Whirlpool order for millions of molded packing feet and is in talks with additional large electronics, food and automotive suppliers. Cruz Foam kept operating with more than $2 million in NSF SBIR Phase I and II non-dilutive awards and has raised about $5 million in capital to date; the seed round was revised to $3.375 million and recently extended. Leonardo DiCaprio and Ashton Kutcher invested in the extension and will join as advisors; earlier seed backers include At One Ventures, the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, Sony Innovation Fund and Regeneration.VC. The team plans to expand beyond EPS replacement into other chitin-based applications such as injection molding and adhesives, while navigating regulatory and waste-infrastructure challenges and preparing for another fundraising round.

• Aether Diamonds

  Participated · Series A · Mar 2022

  Aether Diamonds produces diamonds from atmospheric carbon via a proprietary production process that yields stones atomically identical to mined diamonds. The company uses clean energy throughout its supply chain and says its process has a net-negative carbon footprint. Aether is a certified B‑Corporation focused on transforming air pollution into valuable goods and materials and has committed to removing 20 metric tonnes of CO2 from the air for every carat sold, which it says offsets the average American’s carbon footprint by more than a year. Founded in 2018 by CEO Ryan Shearman and COO Daniel Wojno, the company is based in New York. Aether intends to use the new funding to scale its carbon utilization technology.

• Uni Products

  Led · Seed · Feb 2022

  Uni produces high-end cosmetic and personal-care products packaged in washable aluminum refill bottles paired with dosing pumps and a return-and-refill system. The product line includes a hand wash with exfoliant, a body serum (lotion), shampoo, conditioner and a “skin shield” body wash. Uni operates washing facilities, co-packers and labs in New Jersey and is running a beta with B2B partners including galleries, restaurants, boutique hotels and eco-luxury spas. The company charges premium prices (about $25 for a 12.5 fl.oz hand wash and a five-bottle starter kit for $179) and emphasizes sustainably sourced ingredients and a circular logistics approach. Its refill process involves scanning, sorting, bulk washing, UV treatment, drying and refilling to enable reuse of sturdy aluminum bottles. Uni plans to expand beyond beauty and body-care products—deodorants were mentioned as a possible next category.

No current team members are available.