CHF2.1 million for making high-tex more sustainable

Dimpora’s initial focus lies on the outdoor and active apparel market. Current market leading solutions use potentially harmful chemicals, and safer alternatives usually lack in performance. Dimpora developed a novel approach enabling the manufacturing of membranes that match or surpass the breathability and waterproofness of leading solutions, while at the same time being safer, more sustainable, and enabling circular business models.

Dimpora makes breathable waterproof membranes based on a proprietary technology licensed from ETH Zurich. The technology allows for the creation of novel porous membranes using various materials, including biodegradable or bio-based ones. Dimpora’s membranes do not use potentially harmful fluorinated chemicals.

The team has been working together since May 2018 and brought the membrane out of the lab, in the direction of full scale production. “While some stepping stones have already been set in terms of scaled up production, this round allows us to move faster towards a fully scaled production to make our product available to our brand partners all over the world.” explains Anna Beltzung CTO of dimpora.

The round was led by High-Tech Gründerfonds, Safer Made, and Closed Loop Partners. The international consortium of investors is focused on textiles, technology, and sustainability. “Dimpora’s team has developed a patented, affordable and scalable membrane technology that has the potential to provide a truly sustainable alternative to existing solutions for the outdoor industry and beyond. We are looking forward to supporting the team as they continue their journey”, says Olaf Joeressen who led the round as the responsible Senior Investment Manager at High-Tech Gründerfonds.

Adrian Horotan, General Partner at Safer Made who focus on replacing hazardous chemicals in consumer products, points out that “Dimpora’s membranes enable outdoor and active apparel brands to differentiate on aspects of safety and sustainability without sacrificing performance.”

Board members from leading brands

The elected board of directors consists of Sven Serena, former VP production and supply Chain of the outdoor brand Kjus, now COO and co-founder of Aycane, a brand focused on base layers for Ice Hockey players. Anton Jurina, former co-founder of the fashion brand Armedangels, now co-founder of the brand Maison Heroïne. Caroline Brown, former CEO of Akris Inc. and Donna Karan int., now managing director at Closed Loop Partners and finally the two co-founders of dimpora; Mario Stucki and Anna Beltzung.