Sparxell Secures $5M Pre-Series A to Scale Plant-Based Colour Technology
Cambridge-based Sparxell has raised $5M in Pre-Series A funding to advance its bioinspired colour technology aimed at replacing conventional chemical colourants. The round was led by SWEN Capital Partners’ Blue Ocean 2 fund with participation from Alpha Star Capital and Cambridge Enterprise. The company plans to move from pilot activity to tonne-scale manufacturing by 2026.
Sparxell, a Cambridge-based developer of bioinspired colour technology, has raised $5M in Pre-Series A funding to support the replacement of chemical colourants in the $48 billion global colourants market.
The investment round was led by SWEN Capital Partners’ Blue Ocean 2 fund, with participation from Alpha Star Capital and Cambridge Enterprise. According to the company, the funding will support its transition from pilot programmes to commercial-scale manufacturing, with tonne-scale production facilities scheduled to become operational in 2026.
Sparxell’s technology is based on the use of cellulose derived from wood pulp. The process extracts and assembles cellulose crystals into structures that reflect specific wavelengths of light, producing plant-based structural colour inspired by natural phenomena such as butterfly wings. This approach is intended to eliminate the use of petroleum-based chemicals, synthetic dyes, toxic heavy metals, and mineral-based colourants.
The company reports that its technology can be applied to pigment powders, glitters, inks, sequins, and films. Target end-use sectors include textiles, cosmetics, food and beverage, packaging, paint and coatings, and automotive applications.
Sparxell states that its materials are designed as drop-in solutions compatible with existing manufacturing systems. The company also reports reductions in water use and energy consumption, alongside the elimination of microplastics and chemical pollution.
The textile industry is estimated to discharge around 1.5 million tonnes of synthetic dyes into waterways each year.[1] Sparxell’s cellulose-based pigments are described as biodegradable and intended to integrate into circular economy systems, offering an alternative end-of-life pathway for coloured textiles and packaging.
Dr Benjamin Droguet, Founder and CEO of Sparxell, said: "Our technology isn't just an alternative – it is here to stay because it delivers superior performance due to its nature-inspired features. This funding takes us from proof of concept to production and commercial launches. “
“We're at an inflexion point. Brands are under pressure to eliminate synthetic toxins from their supply chains. Momentum is building in Europe around banning ‘forever chemicals’ such as PFAS. The EU microplastics ban is also now in force, while the FDA is reassessing synthetic colour additives.”
The funding follows earlier support received by Sparxell, including a €1.9 million grant from the European Innovation Council (EIC) earlier this year. The company has also entered into partnerships across sectors such as fashion, beauty, automotive and packaging. These include a collaboration with British luxury brand Patrick McDowell and the commercial launch of plant-based textile inks with Positive Materials.
SWEN Capital Partners’ Blue Ocean 2 fund focuses on investments linked to ocean overexploitation, climate change and pollution. Alpha Star Capital specialises in biomimicry and AI-driven innovation with links to the fashion and beauty industries. Cambridge Enterprise continues its involvement following Sparxell’s spin-out from research at the University of Cambridge.
Mélanie Le Guen, Investment Director, SWEN Capital Partners' Blue Ocean strategy, said: "Sparxell’s innovation is fully aligned with the ambition of our SWEN Blue Ocean 2 fund. By reinventing colour through a bio-based, biodegradable approach, Sparxell offers a tangible response to a major environmental challenge while enabling global industries to transition toward safer and more sustainable practices. We are delighted to accompany them in this next phase of growth."
Chris Gibbs, Investment Director, Cambridge Enterprise, said: “This investment is an important milestone in Sparxell’s development, enabling more sustainable colourants based on natural, biodegradable pigments delivering tangible environmental benefits as the technology scales.
“We’re pleased to have worked alongside the team since their earliest stages and to continue to support them through this next phase. The team has built a great round and a great investor syndicate to take the technology global.”
Alexandre Cadain, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Alpha Star Capital, said: “We were drawn to Sparxell’s method and leadership: Instead of trying to retrofit sustainability into existing chemistry, they rebuilt colour from first principles using a natural structure. It offers a clear answer to a long-standing industry challenge, and it works at a scale that matters.”
Sparxell stated that the Pre-Series A funding will be used to scale manufacturing to tonne-scale output, accelerate product certification for textile, cosmetic and automotive uses, and recruit additional staff, including for business development. The company also indicated that following several fully funded pilot projects with global brands and manufacturers, it plans to announce further commercial partnerships in 2026.
Dr Droguet added: "Every major brand knows they need to eliminate toxic chemicals and colourants. These have been on their checklist, but with limited options that truly compete with synthetics’ performance. The question isn't if, but when and how. We have the answer from nature itself.
"We're giving them a solution that's ready now, performs better, and costs competitively at scale. Brands no longer have to choose between sustainability and performance."