What is Newlight?
Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Huntington Beach, California, Newlight Technologies operates at the intersection of biotechnology and material science. The firm is best known for developing AirCarbon, a carbon-negative material that serves as a viable, high-performance alternative to synthetic plastics and fibers. By mimicking natural processes found in the ocean, Newlight has created a scalable solution to address the dual crises of climate change and plastic waste. The company's market position is bolstered by its status as a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer, validating its role as a leader in the circular economy and sustainable industrial innovation.
How much funding has Newlight raised?
Newlight has raised a total of $220M across 4 funding rounds:
Series C
$9.2M
Series D
$40.8M
Series F
$45M
Private Equity
$125M
Series C (2014): $9.2M, investors not publicly disclosed
Series D (2018): $40.8M, investors not publicly disclosed
Series F (2020): $45M supported by Valedor Partners
Private Equity (2023): $125M featuring Charter Next Generation
Key Investors in Newlight
Charter Next Generation
A leading provider of engineering, extruding, and manufacturing services for high-performance barrier and flexible packaging films.
Valedor Partners
An investment firm focused on providing growth capital to companies demonstrating significant potential in industrial and technological innovation.
Undisclosed Investor
Undisclosed investor participating in the funding round.
What's next for Newlight?
With the recent influx of capital, Newlight is well-positioned to transition from research-heavy development to large-scale industrial deployment. The strategic focus will likely center on expanding manufacturing capacity and deepening partnerships with global packaging and consumer goods firms. As the company scales, the primary objective remains the displacement of traditional, carbon-intensive plastics with its regenerative AirCarbon technology. Investors are closely monitoring Newlight's ability to maintain cost-competitiveness while meeting the surging demand for sustainable, high-performance materials in a regulatory environment increasingly hostile to single-use plastics.
See full Newlight company page
