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Nature Coatings has raised $4.5M across 2 funding rounds.
Nature Coatings has raised $4.5M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Nature Coatings has raised $4.5M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $2.5M Seed in August 2023.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 10, 2023 | $2.5M Seed | DAN Fishman, Tracy Gray | Leonardo Dicaprio, Portfolia, Safer Made | Announced |
| May 1, 2023 | $2M Seed | — | Alate Partners, Braemar Energy Ventures, Camber Creek, Canvas Ventures, Eniac Ventures, Fifth Wall, Maven Ventures, Plug & Play Ventures, Spark Capital, The 22 Capital Group, James Beshara, John Melas Kyriazi, Leonardo Dicaprio, Troy Billett | Announced |
Nature Coatings is a biochemicals startup that develops BioBlack, a 100% bio-based black pigment dispersion made from wood waste, serving as a non-toxic, carbon-negative replacement for petroleum-derived carbon black.[1][3][4][6] The company targets industries like fashion textiles, coatings, inks, cosmetics, and industrial applications, solving the environmental problems of traditional pigments—such as high CO2 emissions, carcinogens (e.g., PAHs), and zero bio-renewable content—by offering drop-in solutions that work with existing equipment and formulations.[1][3][5] With steady growth, including multiple VC funding tranches up to 2025, partnerships with IKEA and Asahi, in-house large-scale manufacturing since 2024, and awards like the Alle Award for BioBlack Beauty, Nature Coatings has expanded from fashion to cosmetics and beyond, raising $2.45M in known funding while maintaining revenue under $5M and a small team.[1][2][4]
Founded in 2016, Nature Coatings emerged from the expertise of Jane, a pigment and dye specialist in the apparel industry who launched Noon Design Studio in 2010—the first U.S. dye house focused on plant-based dyes.[1][2] Recognizing limitations like poor colorfastness, high costs, water use, and inconsistency in natural dyes, Jane shifted to bio-based pigments, leading to the development of high-performing black pigments from wood waste.[2] Early traction included a 2016 National Science Foundation Award, 2017 acceptance into Fashion for Good Accelerator and LACI incubator, 2018 incorporation with first VC funding, and 2019 Copenhagen Fashion Summit win.[1] Pivotal moments: 2020 market debut with a major fashion house and second funding; 2021 launch of the first 100% bio-based black dispersion.[1]
Nature Coatings rides the sustainability wave in materials science, capitalizing on rising demand for bio-based alternatives amid global regulations on petrochemicals, Scope 3 emissions, and circular economy mandates.[1][3][6] Timing aligns with cleantech acceleration—post-2017 incubators and 2020s funding surges—fueled by fashion's push for renewables (e.g., Copenhagen Summit) and expansions into cosmetics/industrials as consumer brands like IKEA prioritize low-carbon supply chains.[1] Market forces like volatile oil prices, ESG investing, and waste valorization favor its carbon-negative model, influencing ecosystems by enabling toxin-free, high-performance upgrades without retooling, thus scaling bio-materials adoption.[2][4][5]
Nature Coatings is poised for accelerated scaling with its 2025 funding, partnerships, and manufacturing maturity, likely targeting deeper penetration in cosmetics, packaging, and automotive coatings amid tightening sustainability regs.[1][6] Trends like AI-driven materials discovery, corporate net-zero pledges, and bio-economy growth will amplify its edge, potentially evolving it into a platform for other bio-pigments while partnerships expand global reach.[1][2] As bio-based blacks disrupt a multi-billion carbon black market, expect acquisition interest from majors, cementing its role in harmonizing chemistry with nature.[1][3][6]
Nature Coatings has raised $4.5M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Nature Coatings's investors include Dan Fishman, Tracy Gray, Leonardo DiCaprio, Portfolia, Safer Made, Alate Partners, Braemar Energy Ventures, Camber Creek, Canvas Ventures, ENIAC Ventures, Fifth Wall, Maven Ventures.
