Brightplus Secures Growth Funding to Boost Circular Innovation

Brightplus Expands Its Sustainable Textile Coating Technology

Brightplus, a Finnish biomaterials company, is making significant progress in the sustainable materials sector. The firm has successfully raised over $2 million to scale its flagship textile coating technology, BrightBio, from pilot stage to full production. This funding round was led by Zurich-based impact investor Collateral Good, with additional support from Nordic Butterfly Ventures, a Helsinki-headquartered investment firm focused on early-stage innovations, particularly in deep tech and hardware.

Other key investors include private equity fund Nordic Option and venture capital firm FutureLab-X. This financial backing highlights the growing interest in sustainable solutions that can replace traditional fossil-based materials. Brightplus specializes in transforming industrial side-stream inputs and natural resources into high-performing, eco-friendly alternatives. Their approach follows a circular economy model, using proprietary technology called BrightBio, which enables the recycling of coated textiles.

"We have a deep understanding of different sustainable raw materials and how to combine them into functional solutions," said Milja Hannu-Kuure, CEO of Brightplus. "Safe, European-sourced raw materials are also a key advantage that helps us stand out in the international market."

The BrightBio filaments are based on polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable thermoplastic polyester derived from renewable resources such as corn starch or sugarcane. These PLA-based filaments are modified with BrightBio technology, promoting a circular economy model. The solution is fully circular, as both the coating and fabric can be recycled after use.

BrightBio materials are made from renewable monomers and polymers from nature, along with non-edible vegetable oils. This makes the product environmentally friendly and sustainable. For instance, the BrightBio filament for 3D printing includes industrial side-streams like bio-ash (40 percent) and other offerings up to 99.5 percent renewable content. By using drop-in compatible granules on standard industrial lines, Brightplus can quickly scale its solution while keeping emissions, complexity, and capital expenditures low.

"We have proven the effectiveness of our technology in pilot projects with leading brands," Hannu-Kuure added. "We're now ready to scale this sustainable vision into practice."

After launching in the glass coating space, Brightplus is now targeting the textile industry, where PFAS bans and circularity mandates are increasing regulatory pressure. The circular and functional textile coating achieved Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification in November, highlighting its safety and sustainability.

"Pure water is one of the most precious resources on the planet—that's why BrightBio was designed as a fully waterless solution," said Jarkko Leivo, chief technology officer and co-founder at Brightplus. "Our one-layer tech delivers multiple performance features fitting seamlessly into the existing workflows without the burden of green premium."

Brightplus will use the funding to transition from the lab to full-scale production, investing in digital tools and local sourcing strategies. Key to scaling its coating technology is the startup’s ability to adapt and meet market demands.

"At Collateral Good, we invest in solutions with the potential to reshape entire industries," said Mariana Gonzalez, principal at Collateral Good. "Brightplus stands out with a commercially viable, PFAS-free, biobased coating technology that meets real market demand."

With a 10.7 percent increase in U.S. bioplastics exports, per preliminary data from the U.S. International Trade Commission, market demand suggests that investing in regulation-ready and cost-competitive platforms was a natural fit for Collateral Good.

Brightplus uses materials derived from industrial side-streams, including the food and forest industry's bio-ash outputs, to reduce dependence on non-renewable inputs. This "radically local and circular approach" aligns with Collateral Good's mission to support climate-positive efforts across the fashion industry and textile sector.

"By sourcing raw materials from agricultural waste streams, Brightplus not only addresses a critical sustainability gap but does so with strong economics," Gonzalez said. "We're excited to back a highly-experienced founding team that combines deep industry knowledge with a clear vision for scaling impact."

The team is spread across three countries and four cities, with operations in Oulu, Tampere, Manchester, and Ljubljana. Founded in 2014, the company celebrated 10 years with 2024 revenues exceeding 1 million euros.

"Customer-validated added value, the team's top expertise, and a strong patent portfolio providing sustainable competitive advantage made our investment decision easy," said Ville Heikkinen, partner at Butterfly Ventures. "Brightplus fits perfectly into our focus area. The huge benefits of its solution compared to competitors will accelerate the company's growth."