ETH Spin-off rrreefs raises CHF 420,000 to scale up global coral reef regeneration efforts
19.03.2024
rrreefs, an innovative spin-off from ETH Zurich dedicated to revitalizing deteriorated coral reefs through innovative modular reef structures, has secured CHF 420,000 in its inaugural pre-seed funding round. The influx of capital is aimed at pushing rrreefs' production and deployment capabilities on a global scale, representing a significant stride towards the restoration of marine ecosystems worldwide.
 rrreefs' co-founders: Ulrike Pfreundt, Hanna Kuhfuss, Marie Griesmar, and Josephine Graf
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Investors are becoming aware of the importance of biodiversity loss as a critical part of climate change. Nature underpins much of the global economy – but it's under threat. Combining science with technology and artistic vision, the female-founded startup rrreefs has developed a solution to regenerate degraded coral reefs with a modular, 3D-printed reef system made of clay.
After an initial CHF 50’000 convertible loan from Venture Kick, rrreefs now closes its pre-seed round with another CHF 420’000. The ETH Foundation, Swisspreneur, S2S Ventures, as well as various angel investors, participated in the investment round which will be used to scale rrreefs’ production and installation capacities globally.
Over 90% of coral reefs are estimated to be dead before 2050. Despite their important social and ecological benefits, including biodiversity, coastal protection, food supply and tourism, coral reefs are among the most vulnerable ecosystems on the planet. By using a unique system of interlocking 3D-printed clay bricks that create complex habitats, rrreefs aims to rebuild 1% of coral reefs protecting coastlines in the next ten years.
Defying the ongoing effects of climate change, the reef structures have proven to successfully promote coral settlement and growth, evolving into self-sustaining reef habitats that provide a new home for an abundance of marine life. Current project sites include Colombia, the British Virgin Islands and the Philippines with a new site being installed in Ecuador at the beginning of May 2024.
rrreefs won the second stage of Venture Kick in 2022. “Going through the Venture Kick program enabled us to deep-dive into our business case and go-to-market strategy at a very early stage. Getting financial support and guidance for business development lay the foundation for our current growth trajectory”, commented Josephine Graf, Co-CEO & Co-Founder of rrreefs.
rrreefs' co-founders: Ulrike Pfreundt, Hanna Kuhfuss, Marie Griesmar, and Josephine Graf
After an initial CHF 50’000 convertible loan from Venture Kick, rrreefs now closes its pre-seed round with another CHF 420’000. The ETH Foundation, Swisspreneur, S2S Ventures, as well as various angel investors, participated in the investment round which will be used to scale rrreefs’ production and installation capacities globally.
Over 90% of coral reefs are estimated to be dead before 2050. Despite their important social and ecological benefits, including biodiversity, coastal protection, food supply and tourism, coral reefs are among the most vulnerable ecosystems on the planet. By using a unique system of interlocking 3D-printed clay bricks that create complex habitats, rrreefs aims to rebuild 1% of coral reefs protecting coastlines in the next ten years.
Defying the ongoing effects of climate change, the reef structures have proven to successfully promote coral settlement and growth, evolving into self-sustaining reef habitats that provide a new home for an abundance of marine life. Current project sites include Colombia, the British Virgin Islands and the Philippines with a new site being installed in Ecuador at the beginning of May 2024.
rrreefs won the second stage of Venture Kick in 2022. “Going through the Venture Kick program enabled us to deep-dive into our business case and go-to-market strategy at a very early stage. Getting financial support and guidance for business development lay the foundation for our current growth trajectory”, commented Josephine Graf, Co-CEO & Co-Founder of rrreefs.
rrreefs' co-founders: Ulrike Pfreundt, Hanna Kuhfuss, Marie Griesmar, and Josephine Graf