Modern Synthesis, a biotech company based in London, has closed a funding round of $5.5 million. The round was oversubscribed, led by Extantia Capital, with further investments from Artesian and Collaborative Fund. This influx of capital is expected to take the company’s mission to transform the fashion industry through the development and commercialization of microbially-derived biomaterials forward.

The $5.5 million funding round marks a pivotal moment for Modern Synthesis as it seeks to scale its innovative biomaterial technology. The round was spearheaded by Extantia Capital, a firm renowned for its focus on climate-positive investments. Artesian and Collaborative Fund also participated, underscoring the growing investor confidence in sustainable material solutions. 

The capital raised will be used to scale up production capacity at Modern Synthesis’ pilot facility to meet the ever-growing demand from high end fashion brands seeking to include sustainable materials in their products. 

Modern Synthesis was founded in 2019 and has pioneered biomaterial innovation, working towards sustainable alternatives for traditional textiles and leathers. The proprietary “microbial weaving” process used by the company involves bacteria that produce nanocellulose, which is a material strong, lightweight, and biodegradable. 

These nanocellulose composites can be combined with natural fibers like hemp, linen, or lyocell to mimic the properties of conventional textiles and offer aesthetic and functional benefits unique to themselves.

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Founders and Leadership

Modern Synthesis was founded by Jen Keane and Dr. Ben Reeve, who combine a complementary mix of design and scientific expertise.

Jen Keane is an award-winning designer and Chief Executive Officer who comes with a background in material innovation. Before the inception of Modern Synthesis, she worked at Adidas, focusing on global material initiatives. Her approach to sustainable design has been very visionary, leading the creative and strategic direction of the company

Dr. Ben Reeve, the Chief Technology Officer, holds a PhD in Bioengineering and Synthetic Biology from Imperial College London. Before co-founding Modern Synthesis, he established Puraffinity, a material science startup dedicated to developing solutions for environmental challenges. His scientific acumen and experience in biotechnology are pivotal in driving the company’s research and development efforts.

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Innovative Approach to Biomaterials

The breakthrough nature of Modern Synthesis’s technology lies in the microbial weaving process, wherein the bacteria produce nanocellulose.

Fermenting sugar-eating bacteria, through a natural biochemical process, will produce nanocellulose fibers. Then, those are intricately mixed with natural textiles to produce composite materials. Thus, biomaterials obtained this way not only are biodegradable but also have the same strength and durability as that of natural and synthetic leathers. In addition, this method provides the possibility of aesthetic and performance tailoring to produce materials with distinctive textures and properties for specific design needs. 

Facing Challenges in the Sector

The fashion sector faces growing concerns and environmental issues related to conventional materials including high emissions of greenhouse gases, water consumption, and plastic pollution.

According to research, fashion brands that want to meet decarbonization and climate regulations will face a 133 million tonne shortfall of sustainable raw materials by 2030. Modern Synthesis’s technology is a viable solution in the form of sustainable biomaterials that can replace animal leathers and plastic-based textiles.

This innovation not only reduces the environmental footprint of fashion products but also introduces new possibilities for design and functionality. BUSINESSMOLE.COM Strategic Partnerships and Market Potential Modern Synthesis has already started working with the top fashion brands to incorporate its biomaterials into luxury products. 

the company recently collaborated with Danish fashion brand GANNI to launch the ‘Bou Bag,’ a designer accessory made from Modern Synthesis’s leather-alternative material produced through microbial weaving. This collaboration demonstrates the commercial feasibility and aesthetic value of the company’s biomaterials, which are likely to revolutionize the luxury fashion market.

The successful funding round and growing interest from top-tier fashion brands are underlined by the market’s readiness for sustainable material solutions. Environmental concerns continue to influence consumer preferences and regulatory frameworks, thereby turning demand for green alternatives in the fashion industry on their heads. Modern Synthesis is therefore well-positioned to benefit from this trend by offering scalable and customizable biomaterial solutions that serve the sustainability goals of fashion brands worldwide.

Future Outlook

The new funding will allow Modern Synthesis to scale up its production capacities to make enough biomaterials to feed the growing list of fashion brands waiting for a source of sustainable material.

The company will expand its current pilot facility and improve manufacturing operations to provide commercial-scale biomaterials.

Modern Synthesis is also dedicated to continuous research and development to further improve its microbial weaving technology and explore new applications for its biomaterials in various industries, such as footwear and automotive sectors.