Planet Smart secures $1m in pre-seed funding to advance biodegradable hygiene materials.
General Inception and Vertical Venture Partners back Planet Smart to support research and product trials.
≈ £761K at $1 = £0.7606 on 18 Nov 2025
Planet Smart develops PlanetSorb, a naturally biodegradable superabsorbent polymer designed to replace petroleum-based materials in disposable hygiene products.
London-based startup Planet Smart has secured $1m in pre-seed funding to drive its upcoming product launch and expand research and development capabilities. The round was backed by General Inception, Vertical Venture Partners, Innovate UK, and the Undaunted Accelerator.
Founded by Dr Gerald Marin and Maurice Rüttimann, the company has created PlanetSorb, a biopolymer designed to replace non-biodegradable superabsorbent polymers in items such as nappies and sanitary pads. The material breaks down naturally within six months without leaving microplastic residues.
The fresh capital will allow the team to enhance its laboratory work, grow its technical workforce, and initiate commercial trials with major hygiene brands from its base in White City.
From the founder
"Every parent knows the guilt of throwing away nappies. The first thing we do to babies the moment they’re born is wrap them in plastic. I want to change that by creating smarter biomaterials that my daughter won’t have to clean up in thirty years’ time,"
Gerald Marin
Co-founder at Planet Smart
Use of funds
- 01Fund research and development
- 02Grow the team
Investors
About the company
Planet Smart
Planet Smart develops naturally biodegradable superabsorbent polymers for hygiene products.