Gozen secures US $ 3.3 million funding for biomaterial ‘Lunaform’

US Biomaterials start-up Gozen has successfully secured a funding of US $ 3.3 million for its groundbreaking biomaterial, ‘Lunaform.’ This funding, led by Happiness Capital and featuring participation from Accelr8, Astor Management, and SOSV, marks a pivotal moment for Gozen’s mission to revolutionize the fashion, automotive, and home furnishings sectors with its plastic-free and animal-free lab-grown leather alternative.

‘Lunaform,’ stands out as a vegan biomaterial crafted through a unique fermentation process involving microorganisms. This innovative material was recently showcased during the prestigious Paris Fashion Week in collaboration with Balenciaga, where it was incorporated into the fashion house’s spring/summer 2024 collection, notably in the creation of a maxi bathrobe coat. Lunaform’s distinguishing feature lies in its singular, fully formed structure, providing it with exceptional tensile strength and natural flexibility, setting it apart from traditional composite plant-based leathers.

One of the key advantages of ‘Lunaform’ lies in its production process, which takes a mere 10 days to complete, bypassing the need for tanning and thereby minimising its environmental footprint. Additionally, the manufacturing method is entirely vegan, avoiding genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and harsh synthetic chemicals. These attributes align perfectly with the growing global demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives.

Moreover, Gozen’s strategic plans include the establishment of a cutting-edge facility in Turkey. This facility aims to achieve an impressive annual production capacity of over 1 million square feet, reinforcing Gozen’s commitment to meeting the increasing demand for Lunaform in the market.

Commenting on the funding success, Ece Gozen, the founder and chief executive of Gozen, said in a statement, “At Gozen, we produce advanced biomaterials with the potential to unlock circular design. With this investment, we’ve shown that we have a path to delivering on that potential at scale.”