Impossible Materials secures CHF 2 million for its game-changing solution
Agri-food
11 December 2023
Impossible Materials team from left to right: Oliver Pitz, Kathleen Cocodeau, Doha Abdelrahman, Sandra Wohlhauser, Kata Dorbic, Wadood Hamad, Nino Zosso, Oliver Polcher, and Lukas Schertel. | © Impossible Materials
Impossible Materials, a deeptech start-up based in Fribourg, has achieved a significant milestone by securing a CHF 2 million grant from Innosuisse’s Startup Innovation Project program.
At the heart of Impossible Materials‘ ethos is the commitment to harnessing cellulose — a widely available and biocompatible material — to craft functional ingredients. These innovative solutions offer safe and sustainable alternatives for coloring and texturing in various industries.
Based at the Marly Innovation Center in the canton of Fribourg, Impossible Materials initially emerged into the spotlight with an oversubscribed seed funding round earlier in 2023. This initial capital was judiciously employed to set up their pilot facility in Switzerland. The new grant from Innosuisse will not only allow an expansion in production capacity but also hasten the market launch of their pioneering product.
This substantial funding, which propels the project’s budget to nearly CHF 3 million, earmarks a new era for the company in its quest to revolutionize industries with eco-friendly cellulose white pigments.
In 2023, the company’s ingenuity and potential were acknowledged as it was ranked among the TOP 100 Swiss Startups. Furthermore, its participation in the Venture Kick program proved pivotal, providing vital feedback for business refinement, funding for operational growth, and access to a vital network of stakeholders.
With the new influx of funds, Impossible Materials is well placed to lead the charge in introducing plant-based formulation ingredients to fast-moving consumer goods and industrial markets. This move is expected to have a substantial positive impact on the environment and society, aligning with global sustainability goals.
The success story of Impossible Materials is a testament to the canton of Fribourg’s thriving innovation ecosystem. It not only showcases the potential of sustainable ventures but also underscores the importance of strategic funding and support in translating groundbreaking ideas into market realities.
