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Retein develops advanced molecular separation technology designed to enable the sustainable recovery of resources from various water sources. The company’s core offering provides a highly energy-efficient and precise method for purifying water and extracting valuable materials, addressing critical industrial and environmental challenges related to water treatment and resource scarcity. This biomimetic approach ensures high performance with significantly reduced energy consumption compared to conventional methods.
The company was founded in 2019 by Simon Isaksson and Professor Martin Andersson, building upon extensive research and development originating from Chalmers University of Technology. Their foundational insight centered on the urgent global need for more sustainable and efficient water purification solutions, leading to the commercialization of a novel technology capable of high-precision resource recovery without high energy demands.
Retein targets industrial clients and other entities requiring efficient and environmentally responsible water management solutions. The company's vision is to accelerate the transition towards a more resource-efficient society by deploying its innovative technology to recover high-purity raw materials from any accessible water source, thereby contributing to circular economy principles and sustainable resource utilization for the future.
Retein has raised $1.0M across 1 funding round.
Retein has raised $1.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Retein is a Swedish cleantech startup founded in 2019 that develops patented molecular separation technology inspired by nature's aquaporin proteins to enable precise, energy-efficient recovery of valuable resources like clean water and lithium from wastewater.[1][2][3] The company serves industries including water treatment, healthcare (e.g., dialysis), and battery recycling by solving resource scarcity and purification challenges through sustainable extraction, reducing waste and carbon footprints while recirculating high-purity materials.[3][5] Formerly known as Aquammodate, Retein has raised nearly €1 million from investors like Industrifonden, Butterfly Ventures, Navigare Ventures, and Chalmers Ventures, demonstrating early growth in deep tech commercialization.[1]
Retein's technology originated from a PhD project by co-founder Simon Isaksson under the supervision of professor Martin Andersson at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden, where they developed a method to stabilize aquaporin proteins—nature's molecular channels—for industrial water purification.[1][2][3] The company was spun out in 2019 as Aquammodate to commercialize this patent-pending innovation, rebranding to Retein to reflect its broader mission of resource recovery.[1][2] Early traction came from proving the tech's ability to remove pollutants like microplastics and pharmaceuticals, attracting seed funding in 2023 from venture firms impressed by the team's blend of academic expertise and entrepreneurial drive.[1]
(Note: Retain Technologies, a separate asset management firm, is unrelated despite similar naming.[4])
Retein rides the global wave of circular economy and critical materials recovery, capitalizing on surging demand for lithium in EV batteries amid supply shortages and stricter water regulations.[1][5] Timing aligns with cleantech booms—water scarcity affects 2.4 billion people, while battery recycling markets grow rapidly—positioning Retein to disrupt $53 billion dialysis and wastewater sectors with compact, low-energy solutions.[5] By enabling resource reuse, it influences the ecosystem toward net-positive sustainability, supporting EU green goals and reducing reliance on virgin mining.[3][6]
Retein is poised for pilot expansions in battery recycling and healthcare wearables, leveraging its 2023 funding for commercialization and further R&D.[1] Trends like AI-optimized deep tech scaling and net-zero mandates will propel growth, potentially attracting Series A from climate VCs. Its influence may evolve into a platform for multi-resource recovery, redefining sustainable materials supply—transforming Retein from a water purifier into a cornerstone of a material-optimized world.[3][6]
Retein has raised $1.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Retein's investors include Chalmers Ventures.
Retein has raised $1.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $1.0M Seed in April 2023.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 1, 2023 | $1M Seed | — | Chalmers Ventures | Announced |
