Meet Simardev Gulati, CEO and Founder, Bloom Labs
Creating branded textile fibers and bioplastics at scale using proteins found in waste.
We recently caught up with Simardev Gulati, the CEO and Founder of Bloom Labs. Learn more about Sim’s journey from Oxford to founding Bloom, which is using proteins from waste to manufacture textiles and bioplastics.
What did you study at Oxford?
I studied Economics & Management at St.Catherine’s College.
What is your most important takeaway from your time at Oxford?
To be an independent thinker.
Did you always think you would be an entrepreneur?
Yes
What motivated you to start Bloom Labs?
As a 3rd generation founder, I’ve witnessed first hand the profound negative impact of apparel manufacturing and the textile industry. Textiles are disastrous for the environment and cause a tremendous amount of planetary and human harm. I felt compelled to innovate in a stagnated industry and find ways to move it forward. The negative impact of the industry is felt globally by the rise of microplastic pollution from polyester and carbon emissions from fossil fuel based fibers. I felt that I was in a position to take meaningful action given my position in the manufacturing and apparel supply chain.
What is the problem the company is solving?
Bloom Labs is solving a fundamental manufacturing problem for the textile industry which is the lack of alternatives to petroleum-based fibers, plastics and resource-consuming natural fibers.
Why is this an important problem to solve?
Textiles account for 10% of carbon emissions and 35% of microplastic pollution.
How is the company solving the problem in an innovative way?
We are transforming proteins from waste into drop-in placements for thermoplastic processes. We created an all natural thermoplastic that is biodegradable and recyclable.
Did your Oxford experience contribute to starting Bloom Labs?
While at Oxford, I often traveled through Europe at the behest of my father to attend meetings with major retailers and factories. My studies in economics, international trade, and globalization were directly relevant in real time as I traveled throughout the trimesters to attend meetings. This led to taking the leap to starting my first business at 21 producing clothing for retailers and departments in SE Asia and China.
What are the biggest struggles you have experienced as a founder?
Time, energy and opportunity cost.
How do you deal with these struggles?
Supportive investors and advisors. Running and Yoga.
Most rewarding accomplishment to date as a founder?
The most rewarding accomplishment to date has been creating a thermoplastic from proteins. It was a vision 3 years in the making, and after a lot of sweat and tears, the entire team was able to invent a novel natural thermoplastic material from proteins - a major scientific breakthrough.
Why is the Oxford Angel Fund excited about this investment?
The textiles market is $80+ billion and is expected to triple in size within 20 years. With textiles accounting for 10% of carbon emissions and 35% of microplastic pollution, there is environmental pressure for apparel makers to incorporate new fabrics that are less harmful to the planet. Increasing the use of recycled fibers and next-gen materials is critical for fashion to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, minimize water consumption, halt negative impacts on biodiversity, and manage its ever-increasing post-consumer waste. We particularly like that Bloom Labs is accelerating the transition towards a circular economy, creating branded textile fibers and bioplastics at scale using proteins found in waste.
BloomLabs
Creating textile fibers and bioplastics at scale using proteins found in waste
Founders: Simardev Gulati
Founded: January 2023
Stage: Seed, July 2023
Notable Investors: Plug n Play Ventures
Bloom is accelerating the transition towards a circular economy, creating branded textile fibers and bioplastics at scale using proteins found in waste.