UNCAGED Innovations, a biomaterials company developing grain-based leather alternatives, has announced the addition of Noel Kinder, Nike’s former Chief Sustainability Officer, to its Board of Directors. With more than two decades of experience at Nike in sustainability and operations, Kinder’s appointment signals UNCAGED’s growing focus on scaling its innovative materials and expanding its global footprint.
“Decarbonizing the footwear and apparel industries begins with finding innovative alternatives”
UNCAGED Innovations is the developer of BioFuze, a technology that produces a sustainable, grain-based alternative to leather by replicating the molecular structure of collagen. The resulting material offers flexibility, strength, and texture similar to traditional leather but avoids the environmental impact associated with animal-derived materials. The company has set its sights on industries such as footwear, which consumes more than 50% of the world’s leather supply.
Kinder, who served in multiple roles during his 25 years at Nike, brings extensive knowledge of sustainability and global manufacturing. As chief sustainability officer, he spearheaded efforts to replace conventional materials with sustainable alternatives and guided Nike’s environmental initiatives across its vast supply chain of 550 factories in 42 countries. His experience includes collaboration with governments, NGOs, and academic institutions to implement industry-wide sustainability practices.
Commenting on his new role at UNCAGED Innovations, Kinder says, “Decarbonizing the footwear and apparel industries begins with finding innovative alternatives to traditional commodity materials. What drew me to UNCAGED is its ability to produce high-quality leather alternatives at a commercial scale. Many materials in this space remain in development, but UNCAGED has already achieved the operational capability needed to make a tangible impact. I’m excited to help guide the company as it expands its reach.”
Funding and growth plans
Last year, UNCAGED Innovations secured $5.6 million in seed funding to support the commercialization of its leather alternative and to scale its operations. With Kinder’s insights into industry trends and global supply chains, the company aims to strengthen its position in the sustainable materials market and broaden its reach within key sectors such as footwear and fashion.
The addition of Kinder to the board aligns with UNCAGED’s goals of increasing production capacity, particularly in Asia, where Kinder’s prior experience managing operations in Vietnam will prove beneficial. CEO and co-founder Stephanie Downs states, “We’re thrilled to welcome Noel to our board.
“He has extensive experience working with global fashion brands, and his expertise in sustainability and global operations makes him an invaluable appointment as we enter the next phase of our growth. This is such an exciting time for us as a company, and 2025 is set to be our biggest year yet, so we are thrilled to have welcomed Noel on board.”
