The capital infusion will bolster Simplifyber's operational growth by enhancing its expertise in materials science and mechanical engineering.
It will also enable the company to scale up production capabilities, expedite business development and partnerships across new markets and industries, and advance the establishment of pilot-scale facilities aimed at achieving cost competitiveness with conventional textile manufacturing.
Simplifyber CEO and co-founder Maria Intscher-Owrang said: “We’ve had a great deal of interest from brand partners and investors, and we’re thrilled to have secured Suzano Ventures as a strategic investor in our Series A round.
“Since we started our company, Suzano has been one of our main fibre suppliers, because they are one of the world’s most sustainable and efficient producers of bio-based feedstock. This partnership will give us access to world-class expertise and support, helping us to reach new markets and accelerate our growth.”
This financial milestone comes on the heels of a $4.2m seed funding round concluded in July 2022.
Established in 2021, Simplifyber has introduced an innovative manufacturing process that streamlines several stages typically found in soft goods production such as spinning and weaving.
The company has formulated a unique natural fibre liquid called Fybron that is suitable for injection into 3D moulds to fabricate various soft goods items. This material is predominantly bio-based and biodegradable for many uses.
Simplifyber has already showcased its technology's potential within the footwear sector. Its inaugural product – a shoe upper crafted from cellulose-derived material – was revealed during Paris Fashion Week in September 2024 through a partnership with fashion label Ganni.
The investment marks the initial funding in Simplifyber for Suzano Ventures’, the corporate venture capital division of global wood pulp provider Suzano.
The round also saw participation from At One Ventures, Techstars, Plug and Play Sustainability Fund, One Small Planet, Staddle Holdings, Collateral Good, M.I.H. Capital, Overlay Capital, Meliorate Partners, among others.
Suzano Ventures corporate venture capital senior manager Paula Puzzi said: “Every year we have evaluated hundreds of startups that are pushing forward the frontiers of what is possible with bio-based materials. In this scenario, we believe that Simplifyber is very promising in this ecosystem since its pioneering approach has the potential to disrupt soft goods supply chains in sectors ranging from apparel to automotive.
“We are excited to play our part in the company’s development following the completion of this Series A round, which we believe will create many new opportunities to replace fossil-based synthetic materials with sustainable, bio-based alternatives, in line with our purpose to meet society’s growing demand for environmentally friendly solutions.”
