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Dyeing, Printing, Processing

SeaDyes Raises £200K To Revolutionise Textile Dyes With Seaweed

• By  Textile Excellence
• March 15, 2026

Scotland has a new player shaking up the textile world. SeaDyes, a startup creating natural dyes from seaweed, has secured £200,000 in funding to scale its eco-friendly solutions. The company is joining Scottish Enterprise’s High Growth Spinout Programme, a move that will speed up product development and commercial rollout.

Founded in July 2023 by marine scientist Jessica Giannotti, SeaDyes quickly made waves. By early 2025, it became a spin-in at the James Hutton Institute, operating from their Invergowrie labs. There, the team turned seaweed into vibrant, non-toxic dyes. These dyes aim to replace traditional petroleum-based pigments, which pollute rivers, soil, and air. The textile dye industry alone contributes 20% of industrial wastewater and nearly 3% of global CO₂ emissions.

With support from Scottish Enterprise and Hutton Scientific Services, SeaDyes has produced working prototypes and already engaged with over 100 potential clients. They’ve also forged partnerships with industry leaders and expanded their leadership team.

New team members include Isla Fowler, a textile and fashion specialist, and Ian Laird, a veteran business strategist with 30 years in scaling industrial ventures. Laird said, “Jessica’s vision to turn seaweed into a renewable dye is inspiring. It’s both good for business and the planet.”

Professor Colin Campbell, CEO of the Hutton Institute, added, “SeaDyes is tackling one of the most stubborn problems in dyeing. Their approach is simple: harness nature for real impact.”

Leah Pape from Scottish Enterprise called the funding “a crucial step to spin out SeaDyes, attract investors, and push sustainable dyeing practices forward.”

With fresh funding, a strong team, and growing industry interest, SeaDyes is on track to transform textile dyeing – turning seaweed into a colourful, sustainable future for fashion and home textiles.

Professor Colin Campbell, CEO of the Hutton Institute, added, “SeaDyes is tackling one of the most stubborn problems in dyeing. Their approach is simple: harness nature for real impact.” Leah Pape from Scottish Enterprise called the funding “a crucial step to spin out SeaDyes, attract investors, and push sustainable dyeing practices forward.”