Summary

Bolt Threads is a materials science company that is designing more sustainable versions of materials typically used in the fashion industry. Their mission is to use DNA technology to create alternatives to materials like silk and leather, materials that are frequently used in clothing, but without involving spiders or cattle. Two of their current offerings are Microsilk^TM, a silk alternative and Mylo™, a mycelium-based alternative to animal and synthetic leathers. The silk alternative was made from spider silk protein through fermentation. The leather alternative is made from mycellium–a network of thread-like cells that forms the underground structure of mushrooms. The company launched the Microsilk^TM product in 2012 and collaborated with Stella McCartney and Moma. In 2021, the Mylo™ product was introduced, and Bolt announced collaborations with Adidas, Kering, Lululemon, and Stella McCartney.  The company also launched a B-silk protein, a biodegradable ingredient for clean beauty formulations that is made using simple inputs like water, sugar, yeast, and salt.

Story

Co-founders Dan Widmaier and Ethan Mirsky were working on coaxing bacteria to secrete spider silk proteins at UC San Francisco when they were introduced to the other co-founder David Breslauer, who was studying the mechanisms of how spiders made silk. Their common fascination with spider silk’s unique properties—its high tensile strength, elasticity, durability and softness—led to a partnership that eventually formed the company in 2009.

Pic Credit: Science (right) and Forbes (top)