UNCAGED Innovations Raises $2M in Pre-Seed Funding to Develop Plastic-Free Luxury Vegan Leather
UNCAGED Innovations, a US-based biomaterials startup specializing in leather alternatives, has secured $2 million in pre-seed funding to advance its development of “next-generation high-performance” vegan leather. The funding round was led by InMotion Ventures, the investment arm of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), with participation from other notable investors including VegInvest, Stray Dog Capital, Alwyn Capital, Hack Capital, and GlassWalls Syndicate.
Founded in 2020, UNCAGED Innovations aims to revolutionize the consumer goods and automotive industries by offering a sustainable alternative to traditional leather. The startup is leveraging patent-pending technology to create a range of biomimetic, plastic-free leather substitutes that eliminate the need for tanning chemicals. UNCAGED Innovations claims its materials can be produced in hours, in stark contrast to the years it can take to produce conventional animal leather.
A Strategic Move Towards Sustainable Luxury
The investment from InMotion Ventures underscores UNCAGED Innovation’s alignment with JLR’s broader strategy to invest in sustainable luxury materials. This move reflects a growing trend among luxury brands to adopt eco-conscious practices and innovate with alternative materials.
In addition to its recent funding success, UNCAGED Innovations has also been awarded a prestigious grant from the National Science Foundation Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program to support the further development of its groundbreaking technology.
Advancing the Market for Plant-Based Leather
With its focus on creating customizable, biodegradable leather alternatives, UNCAGED Innovations is positioned at the forefront of the biomaterials revolution. By embracing new materials and sustainable practices, the company aims to meet the rising demand for high-quality, eco-friendly alternatives to traditional leather, catering to both the fashion and automotive sectors.
This funding marks a significant step forward in the journey towards more sustainable luxury goods, as UNCAGED Innovations continues to develop innovative solutions that reduce environmental impact without compromising on quality or performance.
