Rubi raises $7.5m in new funding to scale CO2 materials platform

Funding and Investment - AP Ventures and FH One Investments co-led a financing round for Rubi, with participation from Talis Capital, CMPC Ventures, H&M Group, Understorey Ventures, and several angel investors [1] - The investment comes as Rubi signs multi-year offtake term sheets valued at over $60 million with leading fashion brands and manufacturers [2] Commercial Partnerships and Growth - Rubi expanded its commercial partnerships from 7 to 15 companies in 2025, including notable names like Walmart and Reformation [2] - The company has completed fiber performance testing with several partners and initiated new pilot projects in the consumer packaged goods and aerospace industries [3] Technology and Innovation - Rubi's platform utilizes proprietary cell-free enzyme systems to convert carbon dioxide into complex materials, differing from traditional fermentation or chemical processing [6] - The technology is designed for modular manufacturing with reduced capital requirements, supported by AI and machine-learning tools for ongoing improvements in enzyme performance [6] Leadership and Recognition - Rubi co-founder and CEO Neeka Mashouf emphasized the vision of using cell-free, multi-enzyme pathways for efficient manufacturing from CO2 [3] - The company was included on the Norrsken Impact/100 list in 2025, highlighting its impact and innovation [4] - Mashouf has been recognized on the MIT 35 Under 35 list and has spoken at the World Economic Forum [5] Market Demand and Future Outlook - The fresh funding is expected to accelerate Rubi's scaling and growth to meet strong global demand for modular and affordable manufacturing of essential materials from waste carbon across various sectors [4] - AP Ventures partner Kevin Eggers noted that Rubi has reached a significant transition point, demonstrating its technology at pilot scale with emerging demand across multiple end markets [7]