New Materials Startups

Kremenak NanoTech (KNT) is a deep tech startup that develops patented and patent-pending nanoengineered material platform technologies and products, including Shredder, which uses material science to prevent microbial spoilage in commercial beverage production. Its R&D laboratory operates out of the University of Missouri Life Science Business Incubator.

2 investors

KUORI develops biodegradable and recyclable materials derived from food by-products, particularly upcycled olive pits and nutshells, for use in high-performance applications traditionally served by conventional plastics. The company aims to replace fossil-based materials in the rubber and elastics industry while eliminating microplastic pollution and reducing carbon emissions.

2 investors

Kuprion develops ActiveCopper materials and printable conductive inks used to manage heat in high-power, high-temperature electronic systems, serving electronics engineers and manufacturers across industries including semiconductor packaging, electric vehicles, and 5G communications. Spun out of Lockheed Martin, the company supplies copper interconnect and adhesive materials for improved electronics performance and reliability.

2 investors

Kymera International manufactures specialty materials and surface technologies, including metal powders, alloys, and advanced coatings, serving industrial customers across aerospace, automotive, electronics, and other sectors globally.

2 investors

Lab 91 develops semiconductor processes and devices based on 2D materials such as MoS2. It focuses on advancing the semiconductor industry's adoption of 2D materials.

2 investors

Lacerta manufactures thermoformed PET plastic packaging for food producers and supermarkets, offering stock and custom solutions with integrated design capabilities. The company emphasizes sustainable packaging including its ReCERTA™ material made with recycled content.

2 investors

Perimeter Solutions develops firefighting products — including Class A, Class B and fluorine-free foam concentrates, long-term fire retardants, and specialty products — as well as lubricant additives. It serves firefighting and wildfire management customers globally, with brands such as Solberg, Phos-Chek, Auxquimia, and Fire-Trol.

2 investors

Lanaco develops high-performance air filtration media made from New Zealand wool, applying natural fibre materials to industrial filters and breathable masks. Founded in 2011, the company focuses on sustainable, low-footprint filtration solutions.

2 investors

Lapto develops CPL (Capping Layer) materials with improved refractive index — both high- and low-refractive types — used to increase the efficiency of smartphone displays. The company supplies high-refractive CPL material to customers and is pursuing overseas licensing deals for its developed materials.

2 investors

Liatris develops high-performance insulation materials to reduce heating and cooling costs in buildings. The company serves the construction and building efficiency market with advanced thermal insulation technologies.

2 investors

Lignetics manufactures engineered sorbent solutions from upcycled wood waste for industrial absorption applications. The company transforms forestry byproducts into biodegradable absorbent materials for customers prioritizing sustainability and cost reduction.

2 investors

Lilliput Technologies develops biodegradable, biocompatible materials that protect crops from heat stress, with a focus on climate adaptation in agriculture. The company leverages advanced materials science at micro and nanoscale to enhance plant resilience for farmers facing rising temperatures.

2 investors

Living Ink produces black pigments and inks made from discarded algae biomass as a replacement for petroleum-based carbon black. Its ALGAE BLACK pigment and ALGAE INK product lines serve brands in packaging, footwear, textiles, cosmetics, and paints.

2 investors

Living Outlines (formerly Outlines) designs home cleaning and organizing products with closed-loop lifecycle management, aiming to eliminate consumer waste by shifting responsibility to manufacturers. The company serves environmentally conscious households seeking sustainable alternatives to traditional single-use cleaning products.

2 investors

Low Carbon Materials develops high-performance materials for the construction industry designed to reduce carbon emissions. The company serves construction firms and material manufacturers, providing carbon calculations, material testing, and custom mix designs alongside certified decarbonization expertise.

2 investors

M2i is a French industrial group specializing in complex molecules and pheromone-based biocontrol products used to protect plants and crops as an alternative to conventional chemical pesticides. It also develops and manufactures active ingredients and intermediates for organic chemistry and life sciences, serving conventional and organic agriculture.

2 investors

Macro Oceans develops seaweed-based (kelp) feedstocks and materials as a low-carbon alternative to petroleum-based chemicals and products, building a traceable seaweed supply chain with brand, technology, and grower partners.

2 investors

Maglut develops rare earth element purification technology, focusing on precision purification processes for domestic U.S. rare earth production.

2 investors

Magnomer develops magnetizable coatings for shrink sleeve labels that enable their separation and recycling during PET bottle recycling processes, solving contamination issues in the plastic recycling supply chain.

2 investors

Magritek develops benchtop NMR spectrometers and related hardware for chemistry laboratories and research applications, enabling on-line monitoring of chemical reactions and analysis. The company serves academic and industrial research institutions requiring high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance instrumentation.

2 investors

Maia Farms develops functional culinary mushroom ingredients for food manufacturers, providing milled mushroom and textured mushroom-pea protein products that improve nutrition, texture, and yield in foods such as meats, prepared meals, bakery, and snacks. Its ingredients are used to add protein, fibre, and moisture management to shelf-stable and ready-to-eat products.

2 investors

Manitowoc Tool and Machining provides precision CNC machining services and custom-manufactured components for food production and processing operations. The company specializes in meeting strict FDA and USDA regulatory requirements with ultra-precise tolerances for stainless steel, aluminum, and specialty material parts used in food manufacturing equipment and assembly.

2 investors

Marie-Laure PLV is a design and eco-design consultancy that develops multi-material merchandising products and packaging solutions. The company specializes in product design, lifecycle assessment, and sustainable solutions compliant with international standards, with focus on environmentally friendly materials and end-of-life recycling.

2 investors

Mass Magnetics manufactures high-performance neodymium-iron-boron rare-earth magnets in the United States from recycled and domestic feedstocks, using a rapid sintering process and machine learning to sort scrap by grade and chemistry. It targets defense and industrial buyers needing DFARS-compliant domestic magnets and also sells DFARS-compliant rare-earth alloys to domestic metallurgists.

2 investors