21 November 2024 – We are thrilled to announce that B’ZEOS, a European blue-tech innovation company, has successfully closed our seed round led by Faber, with participation from ICIG Ventures, the venture capital unit of International Chemical Investors Group (ICIG). This achievement marks a significant milestone in our mission to scale up our innovative, compostable seaweed-based packaging solutions.
This latest round builds on previous funding from pre-seed biotech investor biotope by VIB, ocean-tech accelerator Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA), and private and public grants from the Research Council of Norway, Global Seaweed Coalition, Innovation Norway, and the Eureka Network’s Eurostars programme.
Our partnership with Faber and ICIG empowers us to accelerate product development, meet industry demands more swiftly, and initiate commercial production with our corporate partners. Faber’s commitment to advancing ocean-based technologies makes them an ideal investment partner for us. Additionally, our collaboration with ICIG—a privately owned industrial group with expertise in biotechnology and novel materials—enables us to fine-tune our products and increase production using ICIG’s extensive knowledge in compounds.
At B’ZEOS, we have developed seaweed-based solutions that are fully bio-based, home-compostable, and compatible with existing packaging production lines. Seaweed is an incredible raw material for sustainable packaging: it grows rapidly, sequesters CO2, requires no land or fresh water, and doesn’t release microplastics. Our materials’ versatility supports a wide range of applications across sectors, helping our corporate partners achieve their sustainability goals.
Our packaging solutions have been validated through five paid pilot projects, including collaborations with industry leaders such as Nestlé. With the additional funding, we will continue participating in pilot schemes to demonstrate the value of our solutions, potentially reaching test-shop readiness with our partners. This funding will also enable us to advance from TRL7 to TRL8, bringing us closer to full commercialization.
A Word From Our SeaEO and Founder
As our Founder and SeaEO, Guy Maurice, puts it:
"We’ve developed a truly sustainable seaweed-based packaging solution, derived from a variety of seaweed species. We're not just focused on creating an eco-friendly solution; we’re providing an industry-ready, scalable alternative for packaging manufacturers globally. Backed by strategic investors and leveraging our extensive experience in the packaging sector, B’ZEOS is poised to lead the way in transforming the industry with our innovative materials.”
A Word From Our Investors
We are excited to have the support of Faber, whose Partner, Rita Sousa, shares:
"As global demand for sustainable packaging solutions accelerates, we're excited to partner with B’ZEOS and support their mission of transforming the packaging industry at scale. Our investment aligns with our commitment to back ocean-based innovations that drive positive environmental change and reshape industries for a sustainable future.”
Dr. Pelin Yilmaz, Investment Director at ICIG Ventures, also highlights:
"B’ZEOS is pioneering an exceptional approach to sustainable materials, and we recognize that potential. Our partnership with B’ZEOS, complemented by the expertise of our compounding platform, allows us to transition towards fossil-free, compostable packaging. We were impressed by B’ZEOS’ tech-oriented team, whose industry expertise enables them to create solutions that are both robust and versatile."
With this new funding and strategic partnerships, B'ZEOS is well-positioned to transform the packaging industry. Our innovative and truly sustainable alternative to traditional plastics delivers the functionality of plastic without the environmental cost, offering a distinct advantage over existing bioplastics.
Together, we are paving the way for a more sustainable future!
To view our final press release document, click here.