Ecovative
- Founded in: 2007
- Number of employees: 50
- Country: USA
- Website: ecovativedesign.com
Which input provides your business model/core technology towards a bio-based economy?
We grow materials using mycelium, the root structure of mushrooms. Our Mycelium foundry allows us to develop and fine-tune new, sustainable materials by programming biology.
Which market/clients do you address and which short-term/long-term goals do you have?
At Ecovative, we believe there is a better way to feed the planet and reduce the amount of plastic used in consumer products. Our mission is to grow better materials that are compatible with Earth. Using our Mycelium Foundry, we are collaborating with companies to create alternative meat products, biodegradable packaging materials, animal-free leather and more.
What makes your approach unique compared to other stakeholders in the field?
Mycelium is kind of like yeast (both are fungi), but unlike most yeast cells, which grow as a single cell, mycelium is multicellular and can grow into macro-size structures. Not only does mycelium produce small molecules, but it gently and with supreme precision assembles them into complex structures to make functional, high-performance materials.
You can meet Ecovative at EFIB in Brussels on 30 September – 2 October 2019.