Matter - the startup with a multi-pronged approach to microplastic pollution

by Startacus Admin
Matter is an innovative startup on a mission to develop pioneering technology solutions for capturing, harvesting and recycling microplastics.
At this point, we have lost count of the number of times we have written about the severity of the impact of plastic waste on the environment and ecosystem (and startups like My Plastic Diary and The Modern Milkman who are trying to solve at least a part of the problem).
Microplastics are perhaps the worst of all, getting into the water and killing sea life, making it into our food chain, and some even making its way through filtration processes and into our drinking water. There is an average of 4.9 microplastics in every litre of water, and it’s long past time that something was done about this.
Bristol-based green-tech startup Matter thinks the same. In their own words, they are ‘an innovation company pioneering technology solutions for capturing, harvesting, and recycling microplastics’. Their approach is multi-pronged: through education, through legislation, and through research and development.
Without continuing to help people understand just how bad microplastic pollution is, and why, other efforts will always be in vain. Without that understanding, it will be harder to drive legislation to better regulate environmental pollution, which is necessary if we’re ever going to have clean water again. The need for developing technologies and materials to help clean up microplastics from the environment or to stop them entering the environment in the first place speaks for itself - especially in the absence, until now, of education and legislation.
Matter has a consumer division called Gulp, and they have created a device that connects to your washing machine to capture the microfibres that are released in every wash (about 700,000 in every wash), and stores about 20 washes worth before it needs to be emptied. This same filtration technology is on offer to businesses, as well as bespoke R&D and consultancy. On an industrial scale, the startup is working on filtration systems and technologies to prevent microplastics at the source.
In January, Matter announced that it had raised £368,000 in a pre-Series A round from the Builders Vision’s Rising Tide Fund. This comes after a £150,000 investment from the British Design Fund, and gives us at least some hope that there are still people out there willing to help bring this kind of vital work to fruition.
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
Got a business in the manufacturing sector? These tips on how you can reduce energy costs while being more sustainable are well worth a read...

Innovative InsurTech startup SureIn announces a €4M Seed round to further its mission of making insurance easy, transparent and hassle-free for SMBs.

Nassia Skoulikariti, Director of IoT Programmes, Mobile Ecosystem Forum shares some insights on how IoT is having a significant impact on all our lives.

Roger James Hamilton, Founder and CEO of Genius Group, a world-leading entrepreneur Edtech and education group, discusses how introducing a globalized curriculum will help better prepare students.

SuperFi, the debt prevention platform, has announced a $1m pre-seed funding round to support people during the cost of living crisis.

41 startups from 13 countries, including the UK, have been selected for the 8th Kickstart Innovation program, one of Europe’s leading innovation platforms.

Personal training platform Another Round has secured £300k in its latest fundraise, including investment from angels and its community.

Thingtrax Secures £4.3M to Empower Manufacturers to Build the Factories of the Future

A measure of inflation relief for small firms sees transport costs fall but service price increases remain elevated

Bedfordshire-based HR tech startup HR DataHub has built a range of tools for HR departments
Published on: 21st January 2022
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.







- SureIn Secures €4M to Close the SMB Insurance Gap 15th Aug 2023 Innovative InsurTech startup SureIn announces a €4M Seed round to further its mission of making insurance easy, transparent and hassle-free for SMBs.
- SuperFi raises $1M pre-seed funding round 28th Jul 2023 SuperFi, the debt prevention platform, has announced a $1m pre-seed funding round to support people during the cost of living crisis.
- Startups rely on AI & sustainability for new partnerships 27th Jul 2023 41 startups from 13 countries, including the UK, have been selected for the 8th Kickstart Innovation program, one of Europe’s leading innovation platforms.
- Another Round closes £300k Seed round to revolutionise personal training 21st Jul 2023 Personal training platform Another Round has secured £300k in its latest fundraise, including investment from angels and its community.