Dispersa raises $3M in financing to support its growth
by CM staff
The funding will allow Dispersa to grow and scale-up its waste-derived bio surfactants that are palm/petroleum-free, non-toxic, and biodegradable.
MONTREAL — Dispersa has secured financing of $3 million ($1.5 million in grants and $1.5 million in venture capital), to fund its growth and scale-up of waste-derived bio surfactants that are palm/petroleum-free, non-toxic, and biodegradable. Surfactants are surface active agents that reduce surface tension and dilute fats by dispersing them. They are found in many everyday consumer goods like detergents, surface cleaners, shampoos, and cosmetics.
Led by Invest Nova Scotia, the financing round includes the participation of the Fonds Économie Circulaire (Circular Economy Fund), Fondaction, Dragonfly Ventures, and Good & Well. As a founding partner of the FEC, RECYC-Quebec is contributing to the funding of the clean technology company along with Natural Products Canada (NPC), Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGEN), IRAP, GreenShoots, Coralus, and Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).
The Laval-based company created the world’s first bio surfactants derived from waste feedstock, a circular approach that reduces the use of raw materials and repurposes food waste. Called PuraSurf, this innovation has the potential to reduce consumer dependence on conventional surfactants derived from fossil fuels or palm oil which are found in the formulation of most products consumers use daily.
Dispersa has positioned its technology as an alternative to standard surfactant production methods, which have a significant negative environmental and social impact: petroleum-derived surfactants contribute to the depletion of limited natural resources, while the proliferation of palm plantations supporting palm-derived surfactant production comes at the expense of tropical forests, destroying natural habitats and their biodiversity. They are also known to pollute water streams and cause aqua-toxicity as they degrade post-consumption.
Certain conventional surfactants have components like sulfates and 1,4-dioxanes which at increased concentrations can negatively impact human health – particularly those with chronic illnesses most at risk. These impacts are what led Nivatha Balendra, a cancer survivor, to become involved in scientific research and then entrepreneurship.
“We are thrilled to have the support of an incredible group of investors who are deeply committed to creating positive environmental and social impact. With this pre-seed round of investment, Dispersa is poised to address the growing market demand for natural biosurfactants in consumer products. Our goal is to ensure that sustainability is not compromised by affordability. This investment will allow us to do exactly that as we scale towards commercialization,” said Balendra.
