Keel Labs
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersMorrisville, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
Keel Labs firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Keel Labs
- Legal name
- Keel Labs
- Website
- https://keellabs.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Keel Labs industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Sustainable Bio-Based Textile Fibers
- NAICS
- Fiber, Yarn, and Thread Mills (313110), Nonwoven Fabric Mills (31323)
- SIC
- Pulp Mills (2611), Knitting Mills (2250)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Bio-based Textiles & Fibers (lyocell/viscose, cellulose filament, nonwovens) (IMAMALAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Bio-based Materials & Fibers (e.g., cellulose derivatives, lignin-based materials, nanocellulose) (EUAAAIAD), Cellulose-Based Biodegradable Materials (cellulose films, fibers, derivatives) (IMAEAOAE)
Keywords
Where Keel Labs is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Morrisville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Keel Labs business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Fiber/Yarn Sales: Keel Labs produces and sells Kelsun fiber to fashion brands and textile manufacturers. The company functions as a B2B materials supplier, providing seaweed-based yarn as a raw material input for garment production.
- Licensing/Partnership Revenue: Revenue generated through exclusive and non-exclusive partnerships with fashion brands for use of Kelsun fiber in their products. Brands like Stella McCartney, H&M, and Outerknown pay for access to the material technology.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Multi-year contract | B2B enterprise pricing for fashion brands |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Keel Labs product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Keel Labs produces and sells Kelsun, a bio-based fiber made from seaweed-derived alginate biopolymer that is converted into yarns, nonwovens, and textiles. The company operates as a B2B materials supplier, selling the fiber to fashion brands and textile manufacturers as a drop-in replacement for conventional fibers such as cotton and polyester, using production processes compatible with existing yarn manufacturing infrastructure.
Product overview
Keel Labs operates as a sustainable materials company offering a single flagship product line, Kelsun® seaweed-based fiber. This bio-based fiber can be processed into yarns, nonwovens, and textiles for applications across apparel, footwear, home goods, automotive, and other industries. The company positions Kelsun as a plug-and-play replacement for conventional fibers that works with existing textile manufacturing infrastructure, eliminating the need for new supply chains.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Kelsun: Kelsun® is the company's flagship seaweed-based fiber product made from kelp biopolymers. It is 100% bio-based, biodegradable, non-toxic, free from microplastics, and flame resistant. It can be used in nonwovens and traditional textiles for garments, accessories, footwear, home goods, and automotive applications.
Products and services
- Kelsun® Fiber Bio-based fiber made from seaweed-derived alginate biopolymer that can be processed into yarns, nonwovens, and textiles. It is 100% biobased, biodegradable within a few days, non-toxic, free from microplastics, and inherently flame resistant. Sold to fashion brands and textile manufacturers as a drop-in replacement for conventional fibers, compatible with existing yarn production infrastructure. Applications include garments, accessories, footwear, home goods, automotive materials, and nonwovens.
- Kelsun® Beanie Finished consumer beanie product made from Kelsun seaweed-based fiber, sold directly to consumers through the Keel Labs Shopify storefront.
Quantifiable outcome
- 70X water reduction compared to cotton production
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Keel Labs
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Keel Labs technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Keel Labs partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- H&McoreH&M partnered with Keel Labs to launch a summer clothing collection made from Kelsun seaweed-based fiber. This partnership supports H&M's sustainability targets including 30% certified recycled materials by 2025 and 100% recycled/sustainably sourced materials by 2030.
- OuterknownflagshipFirst commercial launch of Kelsun fiber in the form of a limited-edition Blanket Shirt. Outerknown is founded by pro surfer Kelly Slater. This marks the first commercially available Kelsun garment, demonstrating mass market viability.
- Mr. BaileyminorProduct designer collaboration for the Starboard Vest - a one-of-a-kind experimental garment demonstrating Kelsun's design versatility using biomimicry principles inspired by marine life.
- Aditi MayerminorClimate activist and sustainable fashion thought leader collaborated on the first Kelsun T-shirt sample, working with 70% Kelsun and 30% cotton blend using industry-standard knitting machines.
- Stella McCartneyflagshipFlagship partnership featuring Kelsun fiber in Stella McCartney's SS24 collection at Paris Fashion Week. First public debut of Kelsun products. Subsequently launched commercial products through & Other Stories in September 2024. Partnership also includes presence at COP28 Sustainable Market.
- PentagramminorAward-winning design firm that collaborated with Keel Labs on the 2022 rebrand from AlgiKnit to Keel Labs, creating the new visual identity, name, and brand platform.
- North Carolina Innovation HubminorExpanded to North Carolina and opened an innovation hub designed to enhance technological development whilst scaling production of its aquaculture-based yarn.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Keel Labs competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bolt Threads: Develops bio-based fibers (e.g., Microsilk, Mylo) for the fashion and apparel industry through fermentation-derived proteins. Most direct comparable as a next-generation fiber supplier selling B2B to fashion brands.
- Spiber: Japan-based producer of Brewed Protein fiber, a fermentation-based bio-fiber targeting apparel brands. Comparable as a science-driven, bio-based alternative fiber supplier to the fashion industry.
- Spinnova: Finnish company producing wood-based sustainable fiber without dissolving chemicals for textile applications. Comparable as a next-generation, drop-in bio-based fiber aimed at fashion and apparel brands.
- Natural Fiber Welding: US-based developer of plant-protein-based fibers (Clarus) targeting fashion and footwear brands. Comparable as a US-based bio-material platform producing fibers for fashion end-uses.
- Renewcell: Producer of Circulose, a dissolving-grade pulp made from recycled cotton textiles, used as a feedstock for viscose/lyocell fiber producers. Comparable as a circular, fiber-feedstock innovator serving the same fashion brands.
- Infinited Fiber Company: Finland-based company producing regenerated cellulose fibers from textile waste for apparel brands. Comparable as a next-gen sustainable fiber supplier targeting fashion industry sustainability commitments.
Broad incumbents
- Eastman: Large specialty materials company producing Naia Renew cellulosic fiber for apparel from sustainably sourced wood pulp. Comparable as an established bio-based fiber incumbent with broader portfolio and global manufacturing scale.
- Aquafil: Italian fiber manufacturer producing ECONYL regenerated nylon from waste streams for fashion brands. Comparable as an established sustainable fiber incumbent competing for the same sustainability-focused apparel sourcing budgets.
Emerging players
- LanzaTech: Carbon recycling company producing ethanol that can be converted into synthetic fabrics (e.g., through partner Inditex/Zara). Comparable as an emerging carbon-to-materials platform adjacent to next-gen sustainable fibers.
- Carbios: French biotech company developing enzymatic recycling of PET and bio-based monomers for fiber and packaging. Comparable as an emerging biotech materials platform targeting sustainable polyester/fiber inputs.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Keel Labs social profiles
Digital presenceKeel Labs compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Keel Labs financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Keel Labs leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Keel Labs funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors8 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Keel Labs M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Keel Labs
What does Keel Labs do?
Keel Labs produces and sells Kelsun, a bio-based fiber made from seaweed-derived alginate biopolymer that is converted into yarns, nonwovens, and textiles. The company operates as a B2B materials supplier, selling the fiber to fashion brands and textile manufacturers as a drop-in replacement for conventional fibers such as cotton and polyester, using production processes compatible with existing yarn manufacturing infrastructure.
Is Keel Labs a public or private company?
Keel Labs is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Keel Labs founded?
Keel Labs was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Keel Labs based?
Keel Labs is headquartered in Morrisville, United States, in the North America region.
How does Keel Labs make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Fiber/Yarn Sales are the primary driver. The others are licensing/Partnership Revenue.
Who are Keel Labs's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bolt Threads, Spiber, Spinnova, Natural Fiber Welding, Renewcell and Infinited Fiber Company. Broad incumbents are Eastman and Aquafil. Emerging players are LanzaTech and Carbios.
Does Keel Labs have an API?
No public API is recorded for Keel Labs.
What industry is Keel Labs in?
Keel Labs's product category is Sustainable Bio-Based Textile Fibers. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAMALAK, Bio-based Textiles & Fibers (lyocell/viscose, cellulose filament, nonwovens), with a secondary code of EUAAAIAD, Bio-based Materials & Fibers (e.g., cellulose derivatives, lignin-based materials, nanocellulose). Its NAICS code is 313110 and its SIC code is 2611.