Qorium Secures €22 Million to Revolutionize Leather Production with Cultivated Technology
Amsterdam, Tuesday, 11 November 2025.
Dutch biotech firm Qorium raises €22 million to scale cultivated leather, reducing environmental impact by eliminating livestock farming, marking a shift towards sustainable fashion material supply chains.
Investment and Strategic Partnerships
Qorium, a pioneering Dutch biotechnology company, has secured €22 million in Series A funding as of November 11, 2025, with participation from Invest-NL, LIOF, Brightlands Venture Partners, Sofinnova Partners, and several high-net-worth individuals [1][2][3][4]. This investment, supported by the European Commission’s InvestEU guarantee scheme, underscores a significant endorsement of Qorium’s mission to revolutionize leather production by leveraging cultivated technology [2][4].
The Promise of Cultivated Leather
Qorium’s innovative approach involves producing leather from a small sample of animal cells, thereby eliminating the need for livestock farming. This method not only reduces production waste but also ensures consistent product quality while significantly lowering the environmental impact traditionally associated with leather production [1][3][5]. The cultivated leather market is expected to grow rapidly, driven by increasing demand for sustainable alternatives in the fashion industry [5].
Scaling Up Production
The recent funding will enable Qorium to expand its production capabilities at its Maastricht facilities. Plans include installing new bioreactor systems to facilitate industrial-scale manufacturing, aimed initially at the luxury segment, where brands are seeking high-quality, sustainable alternatives to traditional leather [1][2][3]. With this expansion, Qorium positions itself as a frontrunner in the shift toward more sustainable material supply chains in the fashion industry [1][2].
A New Era for the Leather Industry
This funding round marks a pivotal moment for Qorium, reflecting the company’s transition from research and development to commercial production. Michael Newton, CEO of Qorium, emphasized the integration of cutting-edge science with sustainable practices, aiming to deliver real leather that outperforms traditional animal-derived leather in both environmental and ethical terms [4][5]. The company’s progress exemplifies a broader trend in biotechnology, where innovative solutions are transforming industries traditionally resistant to change [1][2][4].