Ponda secures €1.6M from 256 crowdfunding
Biomaterials startup Ponda has closed a Seed extension crowdfunding round, raising €1.6 million from 256 new investors, far exceeding its €230k minimum
Biomaterials company Ponda has raised €1.6 million (£1.4 million) from 256 new investors in a Seed extension crowdfunding round. The Bristol-based firm, which restores wetlands through regenerative farming, had set a minimum target of €230k (£200k) for the campaign, according to EU-Startups.
Co-founders Julian Ellis-Brown, Nelly Tehari, Finlay Duncan, and Antonia Jara reflected on the journey. "Our first fibre extraction machine was a kitchen blender," they stated. They credited a broad community for shaping the company, including farmers, conservation groups, and grant programs.
European Biomaterials Funding Context
This funding activity occurs within a broader European investment trend in biomaterials and circular technologies during 2026. EU-Startups reports approximately €118 million has been raised across 11 comparable announcements this year.
| Company | Funding Round | Amount (€ million) | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sparxell | Not specified | 4.2 | Plant-based colour technology |
| Salt & Fiber | Pre-Seed | 0.3 | Seagrass-based textile yarns |
| Syntetica | Series A | 26.1 | Nylon recycling |
| PaperShell | Financing | Up to 40.3 | Fossil-free composites |
| Epoch Biodesign | Financing | 10.3 | Not specified in source |
| Naturbeads | Grant | 4.1 | Not specified in source |
| Uplift360 (Bristol) | Not specified | 7.4 | Not specified in source |
| Mykor (Bristol) | Not specified | 4.6 | Not specified in source |
The UK is home to several of these rounds. EU-Startups had previously covered Ponda's €2.09 million Seed round in November 2025 and a €2.76 million DEFRA-backed initiative in July 2026.
Ponda's Mission and Product
Founded in 2020, Ponda develops high-performance natural fibres and insulation from wetland crops. Its first product is called BioPuff. This renewable insulation material transforms bulrushes grown on restored peatlands. It is designed for apparel and outdoor products as an alternative to down and synthetic fills.
"Every investment has helped strengthen our mission," the company added. The goal is to restore wetlands through regenerative farming while building new natural performance materials.
Team Growth and Operational Focus
The company has recently expanded its team. Over the past two months, Ponda welcomed three new members in agronomy, materials science, and business development. A further three colleagues are expected to join soon.
This growing team brings expertise across farming, science, engineering, and commercialisation. Their focus is on scaling the network of wetland farms and developing necessary infrastructure.
Behind the scenes, Ponda's work remains on expanding wetland farming and strengthening its supply chain. Harvesting has taken place this summer across wetland sites in the UK and Europe. The company uses bulrush grown through paludiculture, which is farming on rewetted land.
Each harvest is a step towards restoring degraded wetlands and supporting farmers. The co-founders stated they are working to connect wetland regeneration with everyday products. Healthy wetlands are critical for climate and biodiversity. Peatlands are major carbon stores, and draining them creates significant greenhouse gas emissions.
Rewetting these landscapes supports carbon storage, biodiversity, and flood resilience. It also creates new opportunities for regenerative agriculture.
With the crowdfunding closed, Ponda is preparing for its next growth phase. The company will launch new partnerships and bring more BioPuff products to market. It plans to expand its wetland farm network. Ponda says the campaign support will accelerate this work, bringing investors, farmers, scientists, and brands together around a shared vision for healthier wetlands.
