Arda Biomaterials, a company specializing in plant-based materials derived from waste proteins, has raised $5.25 million in a Series A funding round. The round was led by Oyster Bay Venture Capital, with participation from Clean Growth Fund, Kadmos Capital, and Green Angel Ventures. The financing will support the company’s ongoing research and development of its first material innovation, New GrainTM, a leather-like material made from barley proteins sourced from spent grains from breweries and distilleries.
“Working with brewers and distillers is really a superpower”
The company published the update to its Substack, reporting that the funds will also help it scale its production capabilities and begin the commercialization of New GrainTM, targeting industries such as fashion, automotive, and more. Arda’s strategy is to leverage the large-scale potential of brewery and distillery by-products, using these as feedstocks to create alternatives to plastics and animal-derived materials. The company’s platform manipulates plant proteins to mimic the structure of animal-based materials like leather, silk, and wool.
Brett Cotten, CEO and co-founder of Arda, noted the importance of partnerships with breweries and distilleries due to the scale and operational support they provide, which is critical to achieving cost-effective production. Cotten believes these collaborations will help Arda secure a competitive advantage in terms of both pricing and reach. “Working with brewers and distillers is really a superpower to help us achieve the right pricing and tremendous scales necessary to make a significant impact across industries,” Cotten said.
New GrainTM has already been used in products such as handbags in collaboration with BEEN London and cardholders featuring Beavertown Brewery’s branding. The company plans to expand these efforts with larger product launches set for 2025 and 2026. Arda’s expansion is supported by a new 5,000 square foot facility located near London’s Bermondsey Beer Mile.
The potential of spent grain
Dr. TJ Mitchell, co-founder and CTO, explained that the company’s use of spent grain is a sustainable approach that avoids plastics and petrochemicals. “Spent grain is a perfect case: the abundant feedstock is rich in protein that we are able to extract and manipulate to create New GrainTM,” Mitchell explained. He also added that the material has evolved from initial experiments into a viable alternative to traditional animal-based materials.
The company’s investors have expressed confidence in its potential. Philip Stark, Principal at Oyster Bay, described Arda as a “category-defining champion,” noting the combination of technical excellence and a mission-driven approach. Susannah McClintock of Clean Growth Fund noted Arda’s contribution to decarbonizing industries reliant on traditional materials, while Remy Kesrouani of Kadmos Capital praised the company for its differentiated scientific foundation.
Arda’s recent achievements also include its acceptance into the 100+ Accelerator program, where it will run a pilot project with AB InBev, the world’s largest brewer. This partnership is expected to further accelerate the company’s development and integration into commercial markets.
