SeaDyes, a pioneering startup developing seaweed-based fabric dyes, has entered the Company Creation phase of Scottish Enterprise’s High Growth Spinout Programme, securing £200,000 in funding.
The company – which was founded by marine scientist and biotech innovator Jessica Giannotti in July 2023 – joined The James Hutton Institute, Scotland’s pre-eminent interdisciplinary scientific research institute for the sustainable management of land, crop and nature resources, as a spin-in at the beginning of 2025.
Since then, the startup has been based at Hutton’s Invergowrie campus, where it has continued to advance proprietary seaweed-derived textile dye technology. These natural dyes provide a sustainable, non-toxic alternative to petroleum-based dyes, which contribute 280,000 tonnes of pollution into the environment each year. Worldwide, textile dyeing and finishing is a major polluter, responsible for 20% of industrial wastewater pollution and around 3% of global CO₂ emissions, projected to rise to 10% by 2050.
With the support of Scottish Enterprise and the Hutton, who have provided access to workspaces, cutting edge equipment and commercial support through Hutton Scientific Services, SeaDyes has been able to develop viable prototype dyes and engage with over 100 potential customers.
The startup has also established multi-year research and development and commercial partnerships with leading industry players, as well as adding two valuable new members to the team.
Isla Fowler, a fashion and textile design master’s graduate from Heriot-Watt University, has been appointed as the company’s Textile Innovation Technician, while Ian Laird has been appointed as the firm’s Commercial Champion.
Ian has more than 30 years’ experience leading and growing businesses, across a variety of industries including the textiles sector. His work involves securing investment, licensing complex industrial processes and driving product and commercial innovation through partnerships.
He said, “I’m excited to support the inspirational Jessica Giannotti in her vision to develop bio-based dyes for use in textiles, using seaweed as a sustainable and renewable feedstock.
“The work being done at SeaDyes represents a powerful step forward in rethinking how colour is created, with sustainability and environmental responsibility at the core.
“Joining SeaDyes at this pivotal stage is particularly exciting as the company moves to commercialise its groundbreaking technology from within The James Hutton Institute.”
In addition to the funding received from Scottish Enterprise and the support of the Hutton, SeaDyes is now looking for further investment from new partners.
Jessica said, “From the very beginning, we have built SeaDyes with care, integrity, and momentum, supported by an extraordinary team, advisors, mentors and collaborators who have believed in the journey as much as we have.
“Being embedded at The James Hutton Institute has given us a home, a platform, with access to a unique combination of scientific excellence, great facilities and commercialisation capabilities that is rarely found in one place.”
Hutton CEO Professor Colin Campbell added, “SeaDyes is a very exciting prospect and an inspiring nature-based approach that aims to solve a historically difficult and intractable problem for the dye industry. We are delighted they are at The James Hutton Institute and tapping into our expertise in natural products.”
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Leah Pape, Head of High Growth Services at Scottish Enterprise, added, “This company creation funding marks a pivotal step for SeaDyes, providing the capital and structured support needed to accelerate the journey to spinout. It will enable the team to build a robust commercial proposition, position the business for investment, and establish SeaDyes as a high‑growth company capable of driving more sustainable practices across the textile industry while strengthening Scotland’s industrial biotechnology ecosystem.”
Those interested in investing or learning more about SeaDyes should contact Jessica by emailing jessica@seadyes.com, or Ian via ian@seadyes.com.
