HyperNatural, a materials science startup founded by apparel industry veteran Chris Kolbe, raised $500,000 in angel funding from GCI Portfolio Companies, the family-funded private equity firm established by the late Gary Comer, founder of Lands’ End.
Kolbe, who previously served as brand president of Lands’ End and held merchandising leadership roles at Kohl’s and other national retailers, launched HyperNatural to develop a new generation of bio-based textile fibers designed to replace petroleum-derived fabrics commonly used in performance apparel.
At the center of the company’s approach is a patent-pending fiber technology that incorporates natural additives such as jade and chitin, a compound derived from crab shells. The resulting fabrics are designed to regulate body temperature, resist bacteria and provide skin comfort while avoiding synthetic materials like polyester.
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