Delft, The Netherlands-based Loop Biotech, an initiator and builder of the world’s first ‘living’ coffin – a sustainable alternative to the traditional coffin, announced on Monday that it has raised €1M in funding from Dragons’ Den members and serial entrepreneurs Shawn Harris and Pieter Schoen. The funding represents 30 per cent of the company’s shares.
Loop Biotech’s founder, Bob Hendrikx, managed to convince the Dragons with his pitch at the latest episode of the Dutch version of Dragons’ Den.
“With the capital raised, we can further develop our company and scale up our efforts, in addition to building a high-capacity factory,” says Hendrikx.
Support from Dutch Dragons Shawn Harris and Pieter Schoen
In January 2022, Dragon’s Den was launched in the Netherlands through the streaming platform Viaplay. Dragon’s Den pits entrepreneurs against five multi-millionaire investors, or Dragons, to pitch their ideas for investment.
Each entrepreneur gets 3 minutes to pitch. It can be an already established business or something just a little more than an idea. The TV show became an instant global success with production in over 40 countries. Over $250M (~ €220M) has been invested in small businesses across the globe through the show.
Orange Wings founder, Shawn Harris, says, “Loop Biotech’s sustainable, emission-reducing approach fits seamlessly with the formulas of our Orange Wings tribe.”
Harris’ investment partner and Shoe Investments founder, Pieter Schoen, was also motivated by the pioneering element of the company.
Schoen says, “The Living Cocoon is truly my dream coffin; it really is a mind-blowing notion that my body can transform from dead fibres to new life!”
Loop Biotech – from graveyard to forest
Founded in 2020 by Bob Hendrikx, Loop Biotech brings human nutrients back into the ‘cycle-of-life’ in a natural way: with a living mycelium-based coffin. The founder’s aim is to ‘restore balance with nature and innovate the death-care industry,’
The company’s product, Loop Living Cocoon, is a sustainable alternative to the traditional coffin. It contributes to the efficient composting of a body, thus providing an enriched nutrient medium for trees and plants.
Inventor, architect and designer Bob Hendrikx discovered the potential of mycelium – the root network of mushrooms – during his material research at TU Delft. Mycelium converts both toxins as well as dead, organic materials into valuable nutrients for nature. It turned out to be the perfect material for, and therefore, the driving force behind, the self-composting, natural coffin.
The company says, “The Loop Living Cocoon not only breaks itself down in 45 days but it also hosts bacteria and microorganisms that help in neutralising toxins in both the body and surrounding soil, enabling people to enrich and clean the soil with their own nutrients. Your own body will increase biodiversity and allow new seedlings to thrive – from graveyard to forest.”
The company’s team consists of entrepreneurs, scientists, designers, and engineers from different backgrounds. In addition, YES!Delft, Naturalis Biodiversity Institute, TU Delft, various advisors and former CEOs act in an advisory capacity.
Loop Biotech recently started working with DELA, the largest funeral cooperative in the Netherlands.
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