Marine scientist and biotech innovator Jessica Giannotti founded the company in July 2023. Later, the startup joined the James Hutton Institute at the beginning of 2025 as a spin-in. Since then, the company has operated from the institute’s Invergowrie campus while advancing its proprietary seaweed-derived textile dye technology.

The startup continues to develop natural dyes created from seaweed, which provide a sustainable and non-toxic alternative to conventional petroleum-based dyes. Traditional textile dyes contribute nearly 280,000 tonnes of pollution to the environment each year. Moreover, the textile dyeing and finishing industry remains a major global polluter because it generates around 20% of industrial wastewater pollution and approximately 3% of global CO₂ emissions. Experts also project that these emissions could increase to 10% by 2050 if the industry does not adopt sustainable alternatives.

Meanwhile, SeaDyes has accelerated its innovation with the support of Scottish Enterprise and the James Hutton Institute. Both organisations have provided access to laboratory workspaces, advanced equipment, and commercial guidance through Hutton Scientific Services. As a result, the company has successfully developed viable prototype dyes and engaged with more than 100 potential customers across the textile ecosystem.

In addition, the startup has established multi-year research and development collaborations as well as commercial partnerships with leading industry players. At the same time, the company has strengthened its leadership team by bringing in new experts to support its growth strategy.

SeaDyes recently appointed Isla Fowler as its Textile Innovation Technician. She holds a master’s degree in fashion and textile design from Heriot-Watt University and will contribute to advancing the startup’s textile innovation capabilities. Furthermore, the company has appointed Ian Laird as its Commercial Champion to guide its business expansion and market strategy.

Ian brings more than 30 years of experience in building and scaling companies across multiple industries, including the textiles sector. He has extensive expertise in securing investment, licensing complex industrial processes, and driving innovation through strategic partnerships.

He said, “I’m excited to support the inspirational Jessica Giannotti in her vision to develop bio-based dyes for use in textiles, using seaweed as a sustainable and renewable feedstock.”

Hutton CEO Professor Colin Campbell added, “SeaDyes is a very exciting prospect and an inspiring nature-based approach that aims to solve a historically difficult and intractable problem for the dye industry. We are delighted they are at the James Hutton Institute and tapping into our expertise in natural products.”

Leah Pape, Head of High Growth Services at Scottish Enterprise, added, “This company creation funding marks a pivotal step for SeaDyes, providing the capital and structured support needed to accelerate the journey to spin-out. It will enable the team to build a robust commercial proposition, position the business for investment, and establish SeaDyes as a high-growth company capable of driving more sustainable practices across the textile industry while strengthening Scotland’s industrial biotechnology ecosystem.”

With fresh funding, strong institutional backing, and growing industry partnerships, the startup aims to transform the dyeing process with eco-friendly seaweed-based alternatives while contributing to a more sustainable global textile industry.

The Kolkata-based startup, known for its sustainability focus, plans to utilize the funds mainly for capital expenditures. These expenditures will include upgrading machinery and equipment, providing training to artisans, and supporting expansion efforts.

“Most of the bamboo products sold in India were imported from China. In India, Kolkata was geographically well located near to the northeast and most of the bamboo forest cover was in the northeast regions,” said Agni Mitra, founder of Amwoodo.

“I found that farmers and artisans working in the field don’t have proper machinery and the skills that they need to ramp up production and match the product quality that China is producing. That’s how we started this company,” he added. 

Established in 2019, Amwoodo specializes in producing a variety of bamboo goods, including combs, toothbrushes, razors, slippers, compostable sanitary bags, and towels. They directly procure bamboo from approximately 400 farmers in the northeast region and collaborate with around 380 artisans. The final processing of products to ensure they meet export standards takes place in their factories situated in Howrah, Kolkata.

The startup primarily operates in both the business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) sectors. Its prominent clients include well-known hospitality chains like Taj Hotels and The Leela, as well as direct-to-consumer brands such as Himalaya, Man Company, Nat Habit, and Kimirica.

Mitra stated that the startup recorded sales amounting to Rs 21.72 crore in the last financial year, marking a 3.5 times increase compared to the previous year. In the current financial year, the company targets sales of around Rs 60 crore.

Among other players in the sustainability sector offering bamboo-based products are Allter, known for its bamboo diapers, along with Boocane and Beco.

The inaugural group of SusVentures recently began its journey in collaboration with the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS Pilani), the program’s first official university partner. In this initial cohort, 50 student entrepreneurs from various engineering disciplines at BITS Pilani’s Hyderabad, Goa, and Pilani campuses have joined the program. Their aim is to develop 14 startups focusing on areas such as circular economy, energy efficiency, EV, and solar.

Established in 2017 as a not-for-profit (Section 8 company), The Sustainability Mafia comprises more than 60 climate entrepreneurs. SusVentures, its venture creation engine, empowers emerging entrepreneurs to identify and develop their climate-tech startups, focusing on crucial problem statements in various industries that demand immediate attention.

The SusVentures program has committed to providing a non-dilutive grant of over Rs 31 lakhs to eligible startups that emerge from the program to support their growth. Additionally, Theia Ventures, an official investment partner, plans to invest $100,000 in equity funding for promising startups that evolve from the program.

Speaking about the program launch, Arjun P Gupta, director of The Sustainability Mafia said, “At SusMafia, we are all in on climate action and have a shared purpose of ‘give more than get’. We are excited to launch SusVentures as our flagship program—designed and driven by industry veterans from the vibrant SusMafia community to provide activated mentorship to new climate startups.”

SusVentures has garnered philanthropic backing from individuals such as Rohit Rajput of Intersection Ventures, Pradip Burman, the chairman of Dabur Nepal, and Mirik Gogri of Spectrum Impact. Additionally, it has received CSR funding from companies including Parksons Packaging and Sanghvi Movers.

Aditya Bhat, co-founder of Sustainability Ventures added, “Entrepreneurship is the biggest lever while solving for the climate and the need for SusVentures to bridge market gaps and limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius is crystal clear. We believe that as we achieve our mission of creating 100 climate startups in three years, we shall bring innovative technologies to market, create thousands of green jobs, foster the socio-economic well-being of communities and make progress in achieving SDGs.”

The SusVentures program benefits from a seasoned lineup of instructors and mentors, including Ameya A, a senior people leader, and founders of climate startups like Krishnan Kasturirangan of Wastelink, Ankit Mittal of Sheru, Raju Namburi of Bridge Things, Anirudh Gupta of Climes, Anirudh Ramesh of Irasus Technologies, Varun Karasia of Satma CE, Rishika Reddy of The Mend Packaging, Kishan Karunakaran of Buyofuel, and Himanshu Sharma of Theia Ventures.

Moreover, industry leaders such as Saurabh Kumar of GEAPP, Shyamal Kumar of Lavelle Networks, and Jason Jay of MIT School of Sustainability have delivered guest lectures, complemented by professors from BITS Pilani.

Sachin Arya, CEO of Incubation and Entrepreneurship at BITS Pilani said, “The partnership is an extension of our commitment to further strengthen the already thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem on campus. Together with SusMafia, we will work towards extending this program to the larger community of innovators and entrepreneurs.”

The SusVentures program ensures that each startup is paired with a ‘Dedicated Mentor,’ a seasoned entrepreneur in the field who provides support in expertise, market access, deep customer connections for pilots, and more. The program offers ‘hand-holding’ through dedicated office hours and in-class workshops, preparing teams to pitch during ‘Pitch Day,’ secure grant funding, access investors’ networks, and receive ongoing acceleration support.

This program is delivered in two formats—through partnerships with leading Indian universities and in-person Immersion Programs, catering to a diverse applicant pool, including working professionals, corporate leaders, serial entrepreneurs, and researchers.

The world is currently facing a critical challenge in climate change. We must prioritize eco-friendly and sustainable solutions in all aspects of our lives, including cooling technologies. Traditional air conditioning systems heavily rely on non-renewable energy sources, exacerbating environmental concerns. However, solar air conditioning presents a promising solution that can help mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. 

Increased Efficiency and Affordability

With advancements in solar panel technology and cooling system design, solar air conditioners are becoming more efficient and cost-effective. Improved photovoltaic cells, energy storage systems, and innovative cooling techniques are driving down costs and enhancing overall performance. This increased efficiency is making solar air conditioning systems accessible to a wide range of consumers, leading to greater adoption and market growth.

Integration of Smart Technology

The future of solar air conditioning lies in the integration of smart technology. Internet of Things (IoT) devices, machine learning algorithms, and artificial intelligence can be utilized to optimize the performance of solar air conditioners. Intelligent algorithms can analyze and respond to real-time data, adjusting cooling levels based on occupancy, temperature changes, and weather conditions. This not only maximizes energy savings but also enhances user comfort and experience.

Advancements in Thermal Energy Storage

One of the key challenges of solar air conditioning systems has been the limited availability of solar energy during peak cooling demands. However, advancements in thermal energy storage solutions are addressing this issue. These systems can ensure continuous cooling even during non-solar hours by capturing and storing excess solar energy. Innovations such as phase change materials and advanced thermal storage methods are revolutionizing the solar air conditioning industry and paving the way for uninterrupted and sustainable cooling.

Integration with Existing HVAC Systems

To accelerate the adoption of solar air conditioning, it is imperative to integrate these systems with existing HVAC infrastructure. This integration allows for a seamless transition to solar cooling without significant retrofitting or replacements. Organizations and individuals can achieve substantial energy savings and reduce their reliance on non-renewable energy sources by leveraging the synergy between solar air conditioning technology and traditional HVAC systems.

Policy Support and Financial Incentives

As governments and organizations worldwide recognize the urgent need to transition to sustainable cooling solutions, policy support and financial incentives are expected to drive the growth of solar air conditioning technology. Tax credits, subsidies, and grants can encourage individuals and businesses to invest in solar cooling systems, making them more economically viable. Policies prioritizing energy-efficient and environmentally friendly solutions can also create a favorable market environment for solar air conditioning.

To sum up, the future of cooling is promising due to advancements in solar air conditioning technology, offering a ray of hope in combating climate change. We can create a greener, cooler future by embracing sustainable and energy-efficient cooling systems. Solar-powered solutions hold tremendous potential in reshaping the cooling industry, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and achieving a more sustainable planet. 

Integrating smart technology and advancements in thermal energy storage will drive the growth of solar air conditioning. Emphasizing policy support and integration into various spaces will accelerate its adoption. Together, we can pave the way for a cooler and more sustainable world for future generations.