About

Our Vision
The century of biology :
The 20th century was defined by breakthroughs in chemistry and physics. Scientists and engineers harnessed the physical properties of atoms and molecules to produce innovations like ammonia fertilizers, petrochemicals, plastics, and nuclear energy, culminating in transformative advancements like the atomic bomb. And, every industrial phase changed because it was time for a re-think about how we live. With climate change, now the 21st century is the century of biology, where harnessing living systems will drive innovation.
The bio-industrial phase is a transformative period in industrial development where biological systems and processes become central to production, innovation, and sustainability. There is a shift from traditional resource-intensive industrial methods to bio-based approaches that harness living organisms and natural systems.
Mycelium technology holds immense potential to address 21st-century challenges. Our goal is to be part of this revolution by harnessing the magnificent properties of mycelium.
Our Values
Collaboration: Partnerships with artists, designers, researchers, and other stakeholders to co-create unique solutions that benefit a wide range of industries.
Ethical Manufacturing: Production processes are transparent, socially responsible.
Follow the ethics of nature: We leverage nature’s solutions to solve modern challenges. We work with nature, rather than against.

Founders
Burcu Arıkan has over 10 years of experience in the marketing and advertising industry, where she led the planning, development, and execution of marketing strategies for some of the most prominent brands in Turkey and globally. In 2017, she founded her own business focused on edible "Grow It Yourself" mushroom kits, aimed at encouraging urban food production. Leveraging her expertise, she later partnered with Cem Dildar to apply her knowledge to the development of mycocomposite materials. Burcu holds a Master’s degree in Advertising from the University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Istanbul University.
Cem Dildar is a materials engineer with over 12 years of experience across the plastic, polymer, chemical, and metal industries. He has also held project management roles in the automotive, construction, and white goods sectors in both Germany and Turkey. Cem holds a Master's degree in International Technology Transfer Management from Berliner Hochschule für Technik and a Bachelor's degree in Metallurgical and Materials Science Engineering from Yıldız Technical University in Istanbul.
Milestones

Founded in September 2022 at
ITU ArıTechopark
Founded in September 2022 at ITU ArıTechopark

Ranked among the top five startups in the ITU Big Bang Startup Challenge Competition based on funds received

Private funds from Istanbul Chamber of Industry, Anadolu Efes and EPDK
(Türkiye Energy Market Regulatory Authority)after ITU Big Bang Startup Challenge Competition

Government fund from TÜBİTAK
(Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye)

Opened the first laboratory in March 2023

Global Cleantech Innovation Program Turkiye Winner in 2023 Led by UNIDO
(United Nations Industrial Development Organization)

Climate Finance Accelerator Turkiye Finalist in 2023 - Led by UK Government and PWC

Turkey’s first mycelium packaging partnership with Mumo Wrap; plastic free ecommerce company in 2024

Pre-seed investment from Sabancı ARF in 2024

Mycelium packaging prototypes designed for 24-inch TVs,
showcased in collaboration with Vestel Electronics at IFA Berlin 2024, highlighted the material's potential as a sustainable alternative to EPS (styrofoam).

We represented Türkiye at the UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization) Cleantech Days in Vienna (June 2024), participating as panelists in the Solutions Talks:
High-Impact Innovations, where we discussed our circular economy solution and its innovative potential.

Mycelium packaging prototypes for 24-inch TV series, developed in collaboration with Vestel Electronics,
showcased at the Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) Tech Show in Barcelona, February 2025.
