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Portfolio

The Ray of Hope Accelerator, an initiative of the Biomimicry Institute, is proud to present the world’s most impactful nature-inspired startups tackling today’s most pressing environmental challenges.

Welcome to our portfolio: a vibrant community of visionary founders transforming nature’s insights into groundbreaking solutions for a regenerative, nature-positive future. Since 2020, the Ray of Hope Accelerator has supported 10 pioneering startups annually from across the globe, providing non-dilutive funding and tailored programming to turn bold ideas into reality. Together, our alumni have raised over $125 million in follow-up funding, scaling their innovations to address the urgent crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and more. Each new cohort joins a trusted community where alumni share experiences, insights, and encouragement, fostering a network of collaboration and mutual growth.

Explore our portfolio to discover how these nature-inspired entrepreneurs are redefining the possibilities for a sustainable, regenerative world.

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  • Creates clean catalysts for energy storage inspired by hemoglobin.

    AZUL Energy Inc.

    2024 Cohort / Miyagi, Japan

    AZUL Energy Inc. logo
  • Develops scalable wildfire detection devices that naturally degrade after use. Inspired by heat-activated serotinous pine cones, its bio-based organic electronics provide early wildfire warnings without relying on toxic batteries or electronics. Spun out of Imperial College London and the Royal College of Art.

    Pyri

    2025 Cohort / London, United Kingdom

    Pyri logo
  • Replicates early cell-like structures as an enabling technology to power efficient, low-carbon biomanufacturing. Spun-out of UCLA.

    Praio

    2025 Cohort / Emeryville, California

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  • Engineers biomimetic microplastic filters inspired by floating plant roots to efficiently capture and recover microplastics at scale. Spun out of Princeton University.

    PolyGone Systems

    2025 Cohort / Princeton, New Jersey

    PolyGone Systems logo
  • Develops wind turbine blades inspired by the Triplaris americana seed to enable efficient renewable energy generation at low wind speeds and support distributed power access.

    Parsons Kinetics

    2025 Cohort / Bogotá, Colombia

    Parsons Kinetics logo
  • Mimics the selective metal-binding biology of Amanita mushrooms to recover high-purity vanadium from industrial waste cleanly, efficiently, and at low temperatures, enabling affordable long-duration energy storage and resilient critical mineral supply chains. Advancing technology developed at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

    OptionV Energy

    2025 Cohort / Boston, Massachusetts

    OptionV Energy logo
  • Grows premium preshaped wood, by leveraging how trees build wood on a cellular level, eliminating the need for logging and helping preserve the world’s biodiversity-rich forests.

    New Dawn Bio

    2025 Cohort / Wageningen, The Netherlands

    New Dawn Bio logo
  • Develops next-generation bio-based surgical adhesives inspired by the Dusky Arion slug’s mucus to rapidly seal bleeding tissue in surgical and trauma care. Spun out of the Wyss Institute at Harvard.

    Limax Biosciences, Inc.

    2025 Cohort / Boston, Massachusetts

    Limax Biosciences, Inc. logo
  • Develops a catheter for safe, effective blood-clot removal in narrow vessels, using a boa constrictor fang-inspired tip to reduce disability and procedural time. A Purdue University-licensed startup.

    Emboa Medical, Inc.

    2025 Cohort / West Lafayette, Indiana

    Emboa Medical, Inc. logo
  • Pioneers 100% bio-based materials engineered from the molecular level up to mimic the structure and performance of leather. Enabling circularity and reducing carbon footprint, Ecotune’s innovative materials achieve both durability and biodegradability.

    Ecotune

    2025 Cohort / Irvine, California

    Ecotune logo
  • Reimagines coatings and adhesives that mimic the adhesion strategies of mussels, sticky bacteria, and geckos, using a proprietary plant-based green chemistry with no plastics or harmful solvents required.

    Anew Material

    2025 Cohort / New York, New York

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  • Develops next generation battery components inspired by cartilage nanostructure.

    Valerion Energy

    2024 Cohort / Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Valerion Energy logo
  • Transforms seaweed waste into high performing and low impact chemistries, via a novel refinery process.

    Soarce Inc.

    2024 Cohort / Orlando, FL, USA

    Soarce Inc. logo
  • Builds disruptive sensor platforms that emulates insects’ olfactory sense.

    Scentian Bio Limited

    2024 Cohort / Auckland, New Zealand

    Scentian Bio Limited logo
  • Creates wet binding bioadhesives inspired by barnacles and spider webs.

    SanaHeal

    2024 Cohort / Cambridge, MA, USA

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  • Grows unique bio-cement from a biomineralizing plant enzyme.

    ReefCycle LLC

    2024 Cohort / Raleigh, NC, USA

    ReefCycle LLC logo
  • Develops novel hydrogels that mimic natural mucus, with functions like lubrication, adhesion and protection.

    Gel Matter Co.

    2024 Cohort / New York, NY, USA

    Gel Matter Co. logo
  • Turns cellulosic textile waste into high-quality fibers, featuring a molecular structure similar to cotton.

    Fiberly

    2024 Cohort / Toulouse, France - Buenos Aires, Argentina

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  • Imparts a superhydrophobic lotus effect on cellulosic products like paper, via green chemistry.

    CelluloTech Inc.

    2024 Cohort / Vancouver, Canada

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  • Creates next-gen colors and effects with vibrant, metal-like pigments, all from plant-based cellulose.

    Sparxell

    2023 Cohort / Cambridge, UK

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  • Developed an agtech solution that prevents pests from laying eggs on crops.

    Noovi

    2023 Cohort / Bratislava, Slovakia

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  • Developed compostable bioluminescent solutions.

    Lux Bio

    2023 Cohort / Vancouver, BC, Canada

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  • Disrupts approaches to farming with a microbe-delivery platform.

    Ivu Biologics

    2023 Cohort / Cambridge, MA, US

    Ivu Biologics logo
  • Grows resilient coral in months and years instead of decades and centuries.

    Coral Vita

    2023 Cohort / Freeport, Bahamas

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  • Builds healable composite materials.

    CompPair Technologies

    2023 Cohort / Renens, Switzerland

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  • Biotech company focused on the development of nanocellulose polymers.

    Cellugy

    2023 Cohort / Søborg, Denmark

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  • Advanced bio-mimicking pollination technology.

    BloomX

    2023 Cohort / Rishpon, Israel

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  • Commercializes environmentally friendly chemical cleaning products.

    Sudoc

    2022 Cohort / Cambridge, MA, USA

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  • Reshapes infrastructure with high-performance wood-based composite material.

    Strong by Form

    2022 Cohort / Santiago, Chile

    Strong by Form logo
  • Reinvented sunscreens and SPFs.

    Sóliome

    2022 Cohort / San Francisco, CA, USA

    Sóliome logo
  • Leverages fungi to transform industrial waste into reusable materials.

    Mycocycle

    2022 Cohort / Bolingbrook, IL, USA

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  • Materials for lightweight, adaptive structures at full scale.

    Metavoxel

    2022 Cohort / Seattle, WA, USA

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  • Developing truly compostable plastic and other self-degrading products.

    Intropic Materials

    2022 Cohort / Oakland, CA, USA

    Intropic Materials logo
  • Agri-biotech company extending the shelf life of produce to minimize food waste.

    GreenPod Labs

    2022 Cohort / Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

    GreenPod Labs logo
  • Creates laser-generated surface textures inspired by textures found in nature.

    Fusion Bionic GmbH

    2022 Cohort / Dresden, Germany

    Fusion Bionic GmbH logo
  • Creates high performing and sustainable renewable energy systems.

    Biome Renewables

    2022 Cohort / Toronto, Ontario, CA

    Biome Renewables logo
  • Developed a recyclable and PFC-free alternative to traditional waterproof breathable textiles in the outdoor and sportswear industry.

    Amphico

    2022 Cohort / London, UK

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  • Mimics spider spinnerets’ ability to spin fiber at room temperature without harsh chemicals, from a liquid gel.

    Spintex

    2021 Cohort / Oxford, UK

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  • Creates safer and better performing white pigment.

    Seprify

    2021 Cohort / Fribourg, Switzerland

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  • Enables precise and sustainable recovery of valuable resources from water.

    Retein

    2021 Cohort / Stora Höga, Sweden

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  • Produces fiber from hemp, using inherently clean methods.

    Renaissance Fiber

    2021 Cohort / Wilmington, NC, USA

    Renaissance Fiber logo
  • Biotech platform to develop fungal bioremediation & bioconversion.

    Novobiom

    2021 Cohort / Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium

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  • Produces cost-competitive, low-carbon chemicals using biomass & CO2 feedstocks via a light-driven photocatalysis platform.

    New Iridium

    2021 Cohort / Superior, CO, USA

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  • Identifies, develops, and commercializes a wide range of adhesive systems.

    Mussel Polymers

    2021 Cohort / Bethlehem, PA, USA

    Mussel Polymers logo
  • Enables sustainable, compliant, and efficient cooling for essential industries.

    Infinite Cooling

    2021 Cohort / Somerville, MA, USA

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  • Created proprietary concrete mixes to sustain healthy oyster populations.

    GROW Oyster Reefs

    2021 Cohort / Charlottesville, VA, USA

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  • Makes insulation made from mycelium and other bio-based materials.

    Biohm

    2021 Cohort / London, UK

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  • Creates biodegradable fibers.

    Werewool

    2020 Cohort / New York, NY, USA

    Werewool logo
  • Makes a sprayable coating that repels liquid, sludge, bacteria, mineral deposits, and more.

    spotLESS Materials

    2020 Cohort / State College, PA, USA

    spotLESS Materials logo
  • Increases the effectiveness of commercially available beneficial nematodes.

    Pheronym

    2020 Cohort / Davis, CA, USA

    Pheronym logo
  • Developed natural solutions to replace harmful synthetic chemicals such as pesticides and preservatives.

    Nanomik Biotechnology

    2020 Cohort / Istanbul, Turkey

    Nanomik Biotechnology logo
  • Developed 3-D nanostructured materials capable of catalytically breaking down VOCs and particulates.

    Metalmark Innovations

    2020 Cohort / Boston, MA, USA

    Metalmark Innovations logo
  • Developed advanced composite architectures designed to improve impact resistance.

    Helicoid Industries Inc.

    2020 Cohort / La Quinta, CA, USA

    Helicoid Industries Inc. logo
  • Offers innovative, robust and environmentally sensitive concrete solutions to support marine life.

    ECOncrete

    2020 Cohort / Tel Aviv, Israel

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  • Developed tunable structural color coatings made from commodity materials.

    Cypris Materials

    2020 Cohort / Berkeley, CA, USA

    Cypris Materials logo
  • Developed a new way to dispose of human waste by evaporating out the water.

    change:WATER Labs

    2020 Cohort / Cambridge, MA, USA

    change:WATER Labs logo
  • Created an autonomous robot that slips inside pipes and maps them to “feel” potential leaks.

    WatchTower Robotics

    2019 Cohort / Cambridge, MA, US

    WatchTower Robotics logo
  • Invented an underground, eco-friendly sewage treatment system.

    ECOSTP

    2019 Cohort / Rajajinagar, Bangalore, India

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  • Harnesses biology to make low carbon chemicals.

    Aruga

    2019 Cohort / Pittsburgh, PA, US

    Aruga logo
  • Harnesses electrogenic bacteria to source low-cost, high-quality nickel and cobalt.

    Brokkr Mineral Resources Corporation

    2024 Cohort / Burnaby, Canada

    Brokkr Mineral Resources Corporation logo
  • Anodyne Chemistries combines biotechnology and electrochemistry to create low and negative emission chemicals and fuels.

    Anodyne Chemistries

    2023 Cohort / Burnaby, BC, Canada

    Anodyne Chemistries logo
  • Developed best-in-class anti-biofouling and antimicrobial surface coating.

    ACatechol

    2023 Cohort / Santa Barbara, CA, US

    ACatechol logo
  • Developed an innovative device to protect tree seedlings.

    Nucleário

    2018 Cohort / Brazil

    Nucleário logo