Meet Rachel Lee, Co-Founder and General Manager of Hydefy, who's challenging conventional leather production methods. Step into a world where fungi and sugarcane waste become luxury handbags that walk the Paris runway with Stella McCartney. 👜

Rachel reveals how an extremophile fungus, discovered in Yellowstone National Park's volcanic hot springs during NASA-funded research, became the foundation for a revolutionary material. This microscopic marvel grows in just 2-3 days and a natural filamentous structure resembling skin, making it the perfect candidate for sustainable leather development. After nearly three years of extensive R&D, this scientific curiosity was transformed into a commercially viable luxury material.

What makes Hydefy particularly compelling is how it carves out a vital "third category" in the materials landscape. Traditional animal leather brings ethical concerns and significant environmental impacts, while most vegan alternatives rely on petroleum-derived PVC or polyurethane with their own environmental drawbacks. Hydefy's fungi-based approach eliminates these compromises, using fermentation and sustainable inputs to create materials that create materials that are durable and stylish without the ecological baggage without the ecological baggage.

The fashion industry is responsible for approximately 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. But Hydefy demonstrates how innovation can address these challenges while delivering premium materials that meet luxury standards. Capable of creating a wide range of looks, from traditional leather to experimental finishes with optical effects resembling oil-and-water surfaces, these materials stand on their own merits, not just as eco-friendly alternatives. ♻️

Discover more about how Hydefy is transforming our apparel world at hydefy.com – because the future of fashion isn't just being designed, it's being grown. 🍄‍🟫✨

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“We built Vinst to help people cook better, together.”

Asaf Glazer, CEO of Vinst, shares how his app combines technology and tradition to improve home cooking. 👩‍🍳👨‍🍳

Download the app:

Apple Apple Store

Google Play Store

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“We wanted to create the Nespresso of gardening.”

Co-Founder and CEO Alberto Aguilar shares how simplicity meets sustainability with Plantaform’s smart indoor garden. 🪴

🌱 Learn more about Plantaform:

CES 2025: Plantaform Launches Smart Indoor Gardens with Fogponics Technology

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When his newborn faced a medical crisis, Shaker Rawan, Founder and CEO of WoddleBaby, built a device to help parents track their baby’s health from home. 👶📊

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Are robotics making a splash in the pool cleaning scene? José Vallés, VP and GM of Americas at WYBOT, reveals how the company is using robotics to make pool care effortless, efficient, and even fun. 🌊✨

Check out WYBOT in action!

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Mandi McKay, Chief Sustainability and Social Impact Officer at Sierra Nevada, shares how the company is raising the bar for sustainable brewing. 🌿🍺

Learn more about Sierra Nevada:

• Sierra Nevada Brewing, National Parks Partner For Fan Favorite Beer
• Beer Industry Trends to Watch in 2024

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Bird Buddy’s CEO, Franci Zidar, shares how the company is bringing nature closer to home with their smart bird feeder. 🐦✨

Learn more about Bird Buddy

• CES 2025: Bird Buddy Creators Announce New Nature Tech Products
• Bird Buddy Launches New Smart Modular Habitat, AI Nature Camera

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