Geckomaterials
Founded 2021 · 18 employees on LinkedIn · 2 known investors
geCKo Materials makes a bio-inspired dry adhesive (gMDA) with micro-wedge structures modeled on a gecko's foot, producing a reusable, residue-free grip that detaches without force. It targets applications in industrial automation, robotic gripping, and space and defense.
Also known as geCKo Materials · Gecko Materials · geCKo Materials PBC
Investors · 2
Company profile
researched Aug 2026geCKo Materials (legally geCKo Materials PBC) develops and sells geCKo Materials Dry Adhesive (gMDA), a bio-inspired dry adhesive whose micro-wedge surface structures mimic the foot structure of a gecko to generate grip. The material is described as ultra-strong, reusable, residue-free, surface-safe and requiring no force to detach, with quick engagement, positioned as an energy-efficient and cost-saving alternative for existing bonding and gripping solutions.
The company sells the adhesive in sheet form directly through its website at $1,000 per sheet, with published specifications of 101 mm x 76 mm (+/- 3 mm) sheet size, 0.2 mm to 0.8 mm thickness, 120 kPa shear stress, an operating temperature range of -115 C to +350 C, more than 120,000 life cycles, and NASA certification for space use. Complete estimates including taxes and shipping are handled by email through its sales team.
Target application areas listed by the company include robotics, glass and parts handling, manufacturing, construction and semiconductors, alongside industrial automation, robotic gripping and space and defense.
Founding story
TechCrunch lists Capella Kerst as founder of geCKo Materials PBC.
Business model
B2B sale of an advanced-materials product. The dry adhesive is offered as physical sheets at a list price of $1,000 per sheet through the company's online store, with custom estimates (taxes, shipping and handling) quoted by email; a third-party startup directory categorizes the business model as B2B manufacturing.
Product revenue from unit sales of dry adhesive sheets priced at $1,000 each, with quotes issued on request for larger or customized orders.
Traction
Runner-up in TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 Startup Battlefield and inclusion in the 2024 Startup Battlefield 200 and the 2025 Startup Battlefield 200; four new products revealed at TechCrunch Disrupt in October 2025; TechCrunch reporting ties the product to the International Space Station; the product is NASA-certified for space use and the company lists clients on its site. A startup directory lists two backing investors, Anthropocene Ventures and The Pitch Fund, while a Dealroom-sourced profile records no known external funding.
Latest developments
In October 2025 the company revealed four new products at TechCrunch Disrupt, and in April 2026 TechCrunch published a feature on the company's path from the Startup Battlefield stage to the International Space Station. It is listed as currently raising and is recruiting a media development and information management intern.
▸Full profile — market position, technology, go-to-market, geography
Market position
An early-stage advanced-materials supplier commercializing gecko-inspired dry adhesive; listed at seed stage by a startup directory, and recognized as the second-place finisher (runner-up) in the TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 Startup Battlefield pitch competition, where Salva Health was named winner.
Reusability, no residue, no-force detachment, surface safety and quick engagement, combined with a broad operating temperature window and a cited life of more than 120,000 cycles and NASA certification for space use; press coverage has framed the product as a potential successor to Velcro.
Technology
A dry adhesive film whose surface carries micro-wedge structures modeled on the gecko foot, producing high shear-direction grip that releases without applied force and leaves no residue. Published performance figures include 120 kPa shear stress, a -115 C to +350 C temperature range, thicknesses of 0.2-0.8 mm, and over 120,000 use cycles, with NASA certification for space use.
Go-to-market
Direct sales via the company website and a sales email channel, supported by product demonstration videos, a client roster and visibility from startup competitions and conference appearances such as TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield.
Industrial and technical buyers in robotics, manufacturing, glass and parts handling, construction, semiconductors, and space and defense; press coverage also names automotive and electronics among the industries the company aims to supply.
Geography
United States-based. Company materials describe a Silicon Valley startup with an intern position located in Campbell, California; a third-party profile lists headquarters in Los Gatos, California.
Compiled by commissioned research from 7 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed — not independently audited.
Non-dilutive funding · 2 SBIR/STTR awards
Federal grants — no equity taken| Agency | Phase | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Air ForceAir Force | Phase II | 2022 | $749.9K |
| U.S. Air ForceAir Force | Phase I | 2022 | $50K |
Source: SBIR.gov award data (U.S. Small Business Administration). SBIR/STTR awards are competitive federal R&D grants and contracts — non-dilutive capital alongside any venture rounds above.
Timeline · 5
launches, deals, and filingsTechCrunch reported that the 2024 Startup Battlefield runner-up unveiled four new products at TechCrunch Disrupt.
geCKo Materials placed second in the TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 Startup Battlefield pitch competition, which was won by Salva Health; the company was also part of the 2024 Startup Battlefield 200.
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
▸Research sources · 7
primary sources listed
- Geckomaterialsgeckomaterials.com · web
7 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Geckomaterials do?
- geCKo Materials makes gMDA, a bio-inspired micro-wedge dry adhesive that is reusable, residue-free and NASA-certified for space use.
- Who are Geckomaterials's investors?
- Geckomaterials's investors include OPAMP CAPITAL, Anthropocene Ventures.