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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
2024 Cohort / Miyagi, Japan
AZUL Energy Inc.
View AZUL Energy Inc. websiteThe energy transition to clean technologies is critical yet hampered by reliance on rare and environmentally taxing metals like platinum, whose mining emits 17 tons of CO2 per kilogram. AZUL Energy’s innovative solution addresses these challenges with a breakthrough catalyst inspired by hemoglobin’s molecular structure. By mimicking the natural energy storage mechanisms of the human body, AZUL Energy developed a clean alternative to Platinum Group Metal catalysts. Their catalyst enhances performance, longevity, and sustainability in applications such as fuel cells, water electrolyzers, and long-duration energy storage devices, all while significantly reducing CO2 emissions and geopolitical reliance on platinum supply chains.SDGs
13 - Climate Action 7 - Renewable Energy 9 - Innovation and Infrastructure
Verticals
Chemistry and Materials Climate Tech Renewable Energy
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Develops next generation battery components inspired by cartilage nanostructure.
Valerion Energy
2024 Cohort / Ann Arbor, MI, USA
2024 Cohort / Ann Arbor, MI, USA
Valerion Energy
Valerion Energy Inc. developed a novel nanofiber membrane inspired by cartilage nanostructure for high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries. While lithium-sulfur batteries offer high energy density, their performance is hindered by ineffective, short-lived ion-selective membranes, and current options may pose fire risks. Valerion’s membrane mimics cartilage’s nanoscale structure, providing a strong, thin, and adaptable barrier between the anode and cathode. It features tunable porosity to enhance ion transport, offering safe, fast-charging, and cost-effective solutions for energy storage, including electric vehicles, while promoting equitable, affordable energy alternatives using recycled materials.View Valerion Energy websiteSDGs
11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities 13 - Climate Action 7 - Renewable Energy
Verticals
Chemistry and Materials Climate Tech Transportation and Mobility
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Transforms seaweed waste into high performing and low impact chemistries, via a novel refinery process.
Soarce Inc.
2024 Cohort / Orlando, FL, USA
2024 Cohort / Orlando, FL, USA
Soarce Inc.
Soarce Inc. uses a novel refinery process to transform seaweed waste into high-performing, low-impact chemical treatments for fabrics, and beyond. Fashion brands seek sustainable, affordable alternatives to toxic, petroleum-based additives for yarns and textiles. Existing eco-friendly options, like plant-based dyes, lack durability, while conventional methods rely on harmful chemicals and excessive heat and water. Soarce’s products, SEABIND and SEARAMIC, are made from seaweed-derived cellulose and nanoceramics, and enhance dye absorption, material strength, UV protection, and fire resistance, offering non-toxic, efficient performance for various products.View Soarce Inc. websiteSDGs
11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities 12 - Responsible Consumption 14 - Life Below Water
Verticals
Chemistry and Materials Consumer Products / Cosmetics / Textiles Manufacturing and Advanced Robotics
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Builds disruptive sensor platforms that emulates insects’ olfactory sense.
Scentian Bio Limited
2024 Cohort / Auckland, New Zealand
2024 Cohort / Auckland, New Zealand
Scentian Bio Limited
Scentian Bio’s biosensors combine insect olfactory receptors with AI to rapidly analyze and measure chemical compounds for food quality and health diagnostics. Existing technologies in food safety, sustainable agriculture, and healthcare are slow, costly, and struggle to detect low concentrations of compounds. Inspired by insects' highly sensitive receptors, their platform uses a handheld flow cell to deliver liquid samples to receptors, which send electrical signals processed by AI to provide real-time, precise chemical analysis. The team is optimizing receptor selection for tailored applications across industries.View Scentian Bio Limited websiteSDGs
11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities 12 - Responsible Consumption 2 - No Hunger
Verticals
Chemistry and Materials Food and Agriculture Life Sciences and Medtech
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Creates wet binding bioadhesives inspired by barnacles and spider webs.
SanaHeal
2024 Cohort / Cambridge, MA, USA
2024 Cohort / Cambridge, MA, USA
SanaHeal
SanaHeal’s novel hemostatic tissue sealants rapidly stop bleeding by mimicking the strong, water-resistant adhesion of barnacle and spider web glues. Excessive blood loss remains a critical challenge in injuries and surgeries, often causing higher mortality rates and increased treatment costs. Existing solutions struggle with reliably sealing wet tissue surfaces, especially in hemorrhaging patients. SanaHeal’s bioengineered paste, made from polymers and silica nanoparticles, forms a tight, contamination-resistant seal within 15 seconds when applied to wounds with light compression. Available in patches and spray powders, their products require no special preparation and work independently of blood clotting ability or moisture levels.View SanaHeal websiteSDGs
10 - Reduced Inequalities 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities 3 - Good Health
Verticals
Chemistry and Materials Conservation and Remediation Life Sciences and Medtech
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Grows unique bio-cement from a biomineralizing plant enzyme.
ReefCycle LLC
2024 Cohort / Raleigh, NC, USA
2024 Cohort / Raleigh, NC, USA
ReefCycle LLC
Cement production drives 8% of global CO2 emissions, but it remains essential for building climate-resilient coastlines amid rising sea levels and storm surges. ReefCycle offers a carbon-neutral, marine-safe alternative inspired by shell formation via biomineralization. Their process uses enzymes extracted from nitrogen-fixing plants to catalyze the creation of calcium carbonate cement, chemically identical to oyster shells. This bio-cement is ideal for reef restoration and sustainable coastal infrastructure, providing a durable, eco-friendly solution to protect vulnerable communities and ecosystems.View ReefCycle LLC websiteSDGs
11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities 14 - Life Below Water 9 - Innovation and Infrastructure
Verticals
BlueTech Chemistry and Materials Conservation and Remediation
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Develops novel hydrogels that mimic natural mucus, with functions like lubrication, adhesion and protection.
Gel Matter Co.
2024 Cohort / New York, NY, USA
2024 Cohort / New York, NY, USA
Gel Matter Co.
Harvesting mucus from animals for applications in cosmetics, medicine, and biolubricants raises significant ethical, environmental, and sustainability concerns. Gel Matter addresses these issues with a lab-made, synthetic alternative that mimics the functional properties of natural mucus while being vegan, parasite-free, shelf-stable, and more cost-effective. Using advanced polymer science, their scalable process allows precise customization of mucus properties - such as slipperiness, adhesiveness, or protective capabilities - to suit various industries. Gel Matter’s innovative approach eliminates the need for animal farming and harvesting, offering a sustainable, versatile solution that integrates seamlessly into existing manufacturing processes.SDGs
11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities 12 - Responsible Consumption 3 - Good Health
Verticals
Chemistry and Materials Consumer Products / Cosmetics / Textiles Life Sciences and Medtech
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Turns cellulosic textile waste into high-quality fibers, featuring a molecular structure similar to cotton.
Fiberly
2024 Cohort / Toulouse, France - Buenos Aires, Argentina
2024 Cohort / Toulouse, France - Buenos Aires, Argentina
Fiberly
Cotton, a staple of the $2.5 trillion fashion industry, comes with heavy environmental and ethical costs, but FIBERLY offers a sustainable alternative by transforming discarded textiles into high-quality fibers. By replicating the molecular structure and properties of premium cotton, including softness, breathability, and absorbency, FIBERLY’s innovative process re-engineers textile waste into performance-enhanced fibers. Using advanced spinneret designs and electric fields to align cellulose molecules, their closed-loop system minimizes environmental impact by recovering and reusing solvents and water. With scalable technology and customizable production, FIBERLY delivers a sustainable, high-performance solution to reduce reliance on traditional cotton farming.View Fiberly websiteSDGs
11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities 12 - Responsible Consumption
Verticals
Chemistry and Materials Consumer Products / Cosmetics / Textiles Manufacturing and Advanced Robotics
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Imparts a superhydrophobic lotus effect on cellulosic products like paper, via green chemistry.
CelluloTech Inc.
2024 Cohort / Vancouver, Canada
2024 Cohort / Vancouver, Canada
CelluloTech Inc.
Protecting cellulose-based products like paper and cardboard from water, grease, and wear traditionally requires harmful coatings like plastics, petroleum waxes, and PFAS, but Cellulotech offers a revolutionary green alternative. Inspired by the lotus leaf’s superhydrophobic properties, their innovative process uses bio-based reagents to transform cellulose materials into high-performing, water- and grease-repellent products without compromising recyclability or adding toxic layers. This breakthrough not only preserves the natural feel and sustainability of cellulose but also adds value across industries such as packaging, construction, and healthcare, all while reducing waste and manufacturing emissions.View CelluloTech Inc. websiteSDGs
11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities 12 - Responsible Consumption 9 - Innovation and Infrastructure
Verticals
Chemistry and Materials Consumer Products / Cosmetics / Textiles
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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
2023 Cohort / Cambridge, UK
Sparxell
Sparxell creates the next generation of colors and effects with vibrant, metal-like pigments, all from plant-based cellulose. Sustainable vibrant colorants represent a $65 B market for products as diverse as cosmetics, paints, fabrics, automobile coatings, and packaging. Traditional materials used are non-renewable, non-biodegradable and unsustainably sourced mineral pigments. Sparxell has developed the first fully biodegradable, non-toxic, microplastic-free, environmentally sustainable pigments, glitters, sequins and films using cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) assembled into cholesteric (helix-like) structures to produce intense reflectance spectra. The Sparxell-owned patented manufacturing technique takes CNCs and transforms them into uniformly reflective highly dispersible particles with state-of-the-art performance.View Sparxell websiteSDGs
12 - Responsible Consumption 13 - Climate Action 9 - Innovation and Infrastructure
Verticals
Chemistry and Materials Consumer Products / Cosmetics / Textiles
Read more about Sparxell on AskNature