We’re excited to share some wonderful news with our community. Ponda has raised $2.4 million in seed funding to grow BioPuff®, our plant-based, regenerative insulation, and expand our wetland farming network across Europe.
This investment round was co-led by Faber VC and Counteract, with support from PDS Ventures, Evenlode Impact and the Royal College of Art. Having such a passionate group of partners behind us means a great deal, and it brings us one step closer to making climate-positive materials part of everyday life.
“By coupling regenerative coastal wetland farming with an advanced material with strong potential in textiles and beyond, Ponda is well positioned to unlock significant business opportunities across multiple industries while delivering meaningful biodiversity impact at scale” – Rita Sousa, Partner at Faber.
With previous grants and awards from Innovate UK, the H&M Foundation’s Global Change Award and the Terra Carta Design Lab, our total funding now stands at $6.5 million. Every contribution reflects a growing belief that materials can help heal the planet, and that real change happens when we work together.
Why this funding matters
Over the next 18 months, this investment will help us:
• Increase our production capacity, moving BioPuff® from pilot scale to commercial scale
• Strengthen our network of wetland growers across Europe, regenerating peatlands through paludiculture
• Launch commercial BioPuff® lines for Autumn/Winter 2026 collections
In short, this support accelerates our shared mission: creating materials that restore the planet rather than deplete it.
Our CEO and Co-Founder Julian Ellis-Brown puts it simply: “Every jacket filled with BioPuff® does not just avoid emissions. It directly funds peatland restoration, one of the planet’s most powerful carbon sinks.”
Around the world, drained peatlands release 2 gigatonnes of emissions each year and are increasingly vulnerable to flooding. By working with landowners to rewet degraded peatlands and plant Typha, we are helping create landscapes that:
• Store carbon
• Improve flood resilience
• Support biodiversity
• Provide farmers with a reliable new crop
One of our growers, Will Barnard, has seen these benefits first-hand: “After this year’s flooding, it is obvious that restored wetlands can protect farmland and farmers’ livelihoods. Working with Ponda shows these landscapes can stay productive under climate pressure while creating new commercial opportunities.”
At scale, this farming model has the potential to regenerate millions of hectares of wetlands and support gigatonne-level emissions reductions. This is the kind of impact made possible when people come together with a shared purpose.
From research project to a growing community
Ponda began at Imperial College London and the Royal College of Art as a collaborative research project. Today, it has grown into a community of scientists, designers, growers and partners working towards a regenerative future.
Our Bristol facility now includes fibre processing and prototyping capabilities, allowing us to consistently create BioPuff® that meets industrial quality standards. We have also partnered with leading brands including Berghaus, Stella McCartney, Parley for the Oceans and Sheep Inc to prototype garments and test BioPuff® in real-world conditions.
Although apparel is our starting point, BioPuff® has potential far beyond fashion, from upholstery to soft toys and homeware.
Looking ahead
This funding marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for everyone involved.
As Matt Isaacs of Counteract shared: “The Ponda team embodies deep scientific expertise and visionary regenerative leadership. Their ability to navigate the frontier of wetland regeneration and material science is profoundly impressive.”
We are incredibly grateful to our investors, partners and growers who share our mission. Together, we are building a new class of materials that actively restore nature as they scale.
Source
Ponda Blog, press release, 2025-11-24.
Supplier
Counteract
Faber VC
H&M Foundation
Innovate UK
Ponda
Royal College of Art (London)
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