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Nelumbo

Acquired

Hayward, US · Founded 2015 · 49 employees on LinkedIn · 6 known investors

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Nelumbo develops materials-science coatings that use microscopic surface structures to control how water and condensation interact with surfaces, serving industrial and consumer markets. Its products address frost reduction on refrigeration/HVAC heat exchangers and durable water-repellent textile coatings.

Also known as Nelumbo · Nelumbo Inc.

Founders & leadership

Nelumbo was founded in 2015 by Liam Berryman and Lance Brockway.

LBLiam Berryman
Liam BerrymaninCo-founder · Chief Executive Officer (Nelumbo) & Company Group GM (Kuraray)Liam Berryman is cofounder and CEO of Nelumbo, which develops materials-science coatings for frost reduction on refrigeration systems and water-repellent textile treatments. The company merged with Kuraray in 2025.30 Under 30 2018
LBLance Brockway
Lance BrockwayinCofounder & Chief Technology Officer

Board

LSLaura Smoliar
Laura Smoliarin𝕏Board Member2017–2025Investor at Berkeley Catalyst

Investors · 6

Reported raises · per SEC filings

Form D private placements

$15.9M disclosed across 2 rounds · 2017–2019

$14MraisedApr 2020 · 7 investors · Other
Rule 506(b)
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • Liam BerrymanExecutive Officer, Director, Promoter
  • Mike HopkinsDirector
  • Keisuke IdeDirector
  • David WaltherDirector
  • Dakin SlossDirector
  • Laura SmoliarDirector
  • Lance BrockwayDirector
Offering amount
$14M
Amount sold
$14M
First sale
Dec 2019
Incorporated
Corporation, Delaware, 2016
Federal exemptions
06b
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗
$1.9MraisedNov 2017 · 6 investors · Other
Rule 506(b)
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • Laura SmoliarDirector
  • Liam BerrymanExecutive Officer, Director
  • Lance BrockwayDirector
Offering amount
$5.6M
Amount sold
$1.9M
First sale
Nov 2017
Incorporated
Corporation, Delaware, 2016
Federal exemptions
06b
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗

Source: SEC EDGAR Form D. Amounts as filed; amended filings shown once at their latest values.

Company profile

researched Aug 2026

Nelumbo Nanostructured Materials develops surface treatments that provide PFAS-free anti-ice and water repellency performance across industrial and consumer applications. Its product line centers on two branded coating technologies: IceNein and Mineral.

IceNein is applied to heat exchangers in refrigeration and HVAC systems, where it is intended to reduce ice formation and the frequency of defrost cycles. The company positions the resulting benefits as improved energy efficiency and system performance, lower operating costs, higher equipment uptime and longer asset life. Stated application areas include transport refrigeration unit (TRU) trailers, intermodal TRUs, commercial refrigeration, residential refrigeration and HVAC equipment. Mineral is a textile treatment providing breathable, durable, PFAS-free water repellency, marketed for incorporation into product construction stacks by textile and apparel manufacturers.

The company operates as part of Kuraray, presenting itself publicly as "Nelumbo, A Kuraray Company."

Business model

Nelumbo supplies branded surface-coating materials and treatments (IceNein and Mineral) that are applied to customers' components and products, such as heat exchangers and textiles.

Latest developments

Nelumbo is presented on its website as a Kuraray company.

Full profile — market position, technology, go-to-market

Market position

The company emphasizes PFAS-free formulations delivering anti-ice and water-repellency performance, with durability and breathability cited for its textile product.

Technology

Nanostructured surface coatings formulated without PFAS that impart anti-ice and water-repellent properties; IceNein targets ice suppression and reduced defrost cycles on heat exchanger surfaces, while Mineral provides breathable, durable water repellency on textiles.

Go-to-market

Direct engagement with prospective customers via product inquiry through the company website, organized around two named product lines for refrigeration/HVAC and textile markets.

Refrigeration and HVAC asset owners and operators, equipment makers across transport refrigeration, commercial and residential refrigeration, and textile and apparel manufacturers.

Compiled by commissioned research from 1 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.

Timeline · 1

launches, deals, and filings
Jan 2025
Nelumbo identified as a Kuraray company

Nelumbo's website presents the company under the branding "Nelumbo, A Kuraray Company," indicating ownership by Kuraray.

source ↗

Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.

Research sources · 1

primary sources listed

1 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.

Frequently asked questions

What does Nelumbo do?
Nelumbo makes PFAS-free anti-ice and water-repellent surface coatings for refrigeration, HVAC and textiles.
Who founded Nelumbo?
Nelumbo was founded by Liam Berryman, Lance Brockway in 2015.
Who are Nelumbo's investors?
Nelumbo's investors include Berkeley Catalyst, Harmonix Fund, Prime Movers Lab, Safar Partners, UTEC, 1517.
How much funding has Nelumbo raised?
Nelumbo has disclosed $15.9M raised across 2 rounds.
Where is Nelumbo headquartered?
Nelumbo is headquartered in Hayward, US.