Our new logo if you haven't seen it :)
Hey from SAGES!
Hold onto your hats, because we've got some inspiring updates to share with you! It's been a whirlwind of progress here at SAGES London, and we couldn't wait to spill the beans on all the fantastic things we've been up to.
Drumroll, please! 🥁 We're diving headfirst into not one, not two, but THREE groundbreaking research projects that are set to shake up the textile industry. First up, we're teaming up with Leeds University for a pivotal project, developing fixatives and boosting the UV resistance of our star pigments – Flavonols, Perseorangin, and anthocyanins. These are the real MVPs behind our current core colour range. The project aims to ensure that we are making them perform as awesomely as those synthetic dyes, minus the nasties. Leading this mission is textile dyes and colour chemistry, Professor Richard Blackburn, with our chemistry wizard, Fearne Johnson, by his side.
Our dynamic duo with Leeds University is also tackling a greener-than-green textile pre-treatment process that's tailor-made for our natural dyes. We're all about sustainability, and this project will ensure that every step of the process dying with our dyes is completely green.
Last but not least is our newest adventure which includes Cranfield University and the fabulous start-up Osmose. We're on a journey to dye mycelium leather using our natural dyes, and if all goes as planned, we'll be waving the eco-friendly flag high with the world's first sustainably dyed mycelium leather.
Mark your calendars, because by October-November, we'll be showing off the results of these projects. And that's just the beginning! We're revving up for the grand finale – testing our manufacturing process on a larger scale, taking a detailed look at its life cycle, and hitting that impressive Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 7-8. Once we've nailed all that, the mid-2024 seed round will be our launching pad into the commercial world.
In between all this excitement, we've been shaking things up on the commercial front too. Collaborations with top-notch fashion brands and food & beverage geniuses are cooking up some magic, and we're ecstatic to be part of this journey.
We're also strapping on our intellectual property cap and diving into an IP audit with the fantastic team at Mathys & Squire. This is our secret weapon to keep our trademarks and trade secrets safe while we work with collaborators, customers, and soon-to-be team members.
We're beyond chuffed to announce that we've scooped up the Best SEIS Investee Company title from the Enterprise Investment Scheme Association 🏆. It's an honour and a reminder of how far we've come – all thanks to your incredible support!
A massive shoutout to our superstar shareholders – you're the wind beneath our wings, and we can't wait to keep soaring to new heights together. We're writing a new chapter in the textile industry, and you're right here with us every step of the way.
Exciting times ahead!
Catch you on the colourful side,