A spinout from Imperial College London, Solena was founded in 2022 by CEO Dr James MacDonald alongside Prof. Paul Freemont and Prof. Milo Shaffer. Based at Imperial College’s Victoria Industrial Estate in the WestTech Corridor, the company raised $6.7 million in April 2025 from investors including Sir David Harding, SynBioVen, and Insempra.
Solena’s materials will offer a lower-carbon, plastic-free, and biodegradable alternative to existing options, with the potential for localised production near demand centres—helping apparel companies build more responsible and resilient supply chains.
