GaeaStar
GaeaStar manufactures ultra-thin ceramic cups using its patented Surface Printing™ additive manufacturing process as plastic-free alternatives to single-use packaging. The company sells Clay Cups directly to premium specialty coffee brands and operates distributed micro-factories for point-of-use production.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
GaeaStar firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- GaeaStar
- Legal name
- GaeaStar Corp.
- Website
- https://gaeastar.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- GaeaStar manufactures ultra-thin ceramic cups using its patented Surface Printing™ additive manufacturing process as plastic-free alternatives to single-use packaging. The company sells Clay Cups directly to premium specialty coffee brands and operates distributed micro-factories for point-of-use production.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
GaeaStar industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Sustainable Food Packaging
- NAICS
- Pottery, Ceramics, and Plumbing Fixture Manufacturing (32711), Pottery, Ceramics, and Plumbing Fixture Manufacturing (327110)
- SIC
- Pottery & Related Products (3260)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Ceramic & Glass 3D Printers (IMAAAAAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Ceramic & Glass 3D Printing Services (IMAAADAC), Ceramic Powders & Slurries (IMAAABAG)
Keywords
Where GaeaStar is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
GaeaStar business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Clay Cups and Ceramic Packaging Sales: GaeaStar generates revenue through the sale of ultra-thin ceramic vessels (Clay Cups) designed as sustainable alternatives to single-use plastic cups. The products are sold to hospitality partners including cafes, coffee shops, and food service businesses. Available in multiple sizes (8oz, 10oz, 12oz, 16oz) with reusable silicone lids for select sizes.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
GaeaStar product offering
Product offeringCore offering
GaeaStar manufactures and sells ultra-thin ceramic vessels (Clay Cups) using its patented Surface Printing™ additive manufacturing technology, which deposits material in 3D-contoured films to form ceramic shapes in seconds from natural materials (clay, water, salt). The company sells these reusable, plastic-free cups in 8oz, 10oz, 12oz, and 16oz sizes, along with optional reusable silicone lids, primarily to premium hospitality partners such as coffee shops and cafes, with future expansion into cosmetics and pharmaceutical packaging.
Product overview
GaeaStar offers a portfolio of plastic-free, ceramic-based packaging solutions centered on its flagship Clay Cups product line. The company's Surface Printing™ patented additive manufacturing technology enables the production of ultra-thin ceramic vessels using natural materials (clay, water, salt), which are marketed as sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics. The manufacturing is enabled through Micro-Factory Technology, which allows distributed, onshore production near point of use. GaeaStar's products serve the food & beverage, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries, with Clay Cups available in four sizes (8oz, 10oz, 12oz, 16oz) and a reusable silicone lid accessory offered as an add-on for the larger sizes.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Clay Cups Ultra-thin ceramic vessels available in 8oz (240mL), 10oz (300mL), 12oz (360mL), and 16oz (480mL) sizes, designed as a sustainable, plastic-free alternative to single-use disposable cups for hot and cold beverages. Sold to premium hospitality partners including cafes, coffee shops, and food service businesses.
- Reusable Silicone Lid Reusable silicone lid accessory offered for the 10oz, 12oz, and 16oz Clay Cups to enable secure sealing for on-the-go use, supporting waste reduction and circularity.
Quantifiable outcome
- Carbon footprint comparable to paper/plastic single-use products
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use GaeaStar
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
GaeaStar technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
GaeaStar partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- ViCafecoreViCafe is a premium espresso bar that has partnered with GaeaStar to use Clay Cups for their to-go beverages. They describe GaeaStar's innovation as disruptive in the coffee industry with potential for significant positive change in elevating customer experience.
- VervecoreVerve, a premium coffee roaster and café chain, has partnered with GaeaStar to transform the future of to-go coffee. Their CEO Ramon Schalch describes the partnership as enabling elevated in-cafe experiences with convenience of to-go without the guilt of takeaway packaging.
- FablecoreFable is a café that has integrated GaeaStar's reusable Clay Cups. Their CEO Joe Parenteau states the cups elevate premium customer experiences while aligning with sustainability commitments.
- Counter Culture CoffeecoreCounter Culture Coffee, a sustainable coffee company, uses GaeaStar's Clay Cups. Their Marketing Manager Christy Duggan notes the cups set a new standard for sustainability in the consumables space.
- Café WilliamcoreCafé William, a specialty coffee brand, partnered with GaeaStar to explore innovative sustainability solutions in the coffee industry. Regional Director Marc-Antoine Crépeau notes the partnership enhances customer experience while advancing sustainability values.
- Commonplace CoffeecoreCommonplace Coffee in Pittsburgh uses GaeaStar's Clay Cups. VP of Operations & Marketing Lauren Young notes the cups allow customers to make easy sustainable choices through an item used daily.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights6 records
GaeaStar competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Footprint: Footprint (formerly Earthshell) produces fiber-based, plant-based packaging for F&B brands including bowls, clamshells, and cup solutions at industrial scale — a broader incumbent in sustainable F&B packaging serving overlapping enterprise customers.
- Origin Materials: Origin Materials develops plant-based PET alternatives and drop-in packaging chemistries — a broader incumbent in sustainable packaging materials that competes for the same regulatory and brand-driven demand pull as GaeaStar.
Emerging players
- Kelun Earth: Kelun Earth produces edible and biodegradable cups and packaging for F&B — an emerging player in single-use alternatives targeting the same hospitality customers and plastic-replacement use case as GaeaStar's Clay Cups.
- Lithoz: Lithoz specializes in ceramic 3D printing systems and materials for industrial and medical applications — closely aligned with GaeaStar's Surface Printing™ technology on ceramic additive manufacturing, though Lithoz focuses on industrial/medical rather than consumer packaging.
Direct peers
- Notpla: Notpla develops seaweed-based packaging including edible sachets and coated paper cups used in major sporting events and hospitality — a direct competitor in plastic-free F&B packaging with a comparable sustainability-led brand proposition.
- Sulapac: Sulapac produces bio-based, microplastic-free materials for cosmetics and food packaging with strong luxury-brand penetration — directly comparable to GaeaStar's stated expansion targets in cosmetics and beauty packaging.
- Loliware: Loliware makes seaweed-based single-use straws, cups, and cutlery sold to F&B and hospitality brands seeking plastic-free alternatives — directly comparable to GaeaStar's Clay Cups in target customers, sustainability narrative, and channel.
- TIPA: TIPA manufactures home-compostable flexible packaging films for food and consumer goods brands, competing with GaeaStar in the sustainable-packaging category addressing single-use plastics with comparable partner-driven GTM in food and beauty.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
GaeaStar social profiles
Digital presenceGaeaStar financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
GaeaStar leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
GaeaStar subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
GaeaStar funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors7 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
GaeaStar 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 GaeaStar
What does GaeaStar do?
GaeaStar manufactures and sells ultra-thin ceramic vessels (Clay Cups) using its patented Surface Printing™ additive manufacturing technology, which deposits material in 3D-contoured films to form ceramic shapes in seconds from natural materials (clay, water, salt). The company sells these reusable, plastic-free cups in 8oz, 10oz, 12oz, and 16oz sizes, along with optional reusable silicone lids, primarily to premium hospitality partners such as coffee shops and cafes, with future expansion into cosmetics and pharmaceutical packaging.
Is GaeaStar a public or private company?
GaeaStar is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was GaeaStar founded?
GaeaStar was founded in 2021. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is GaeaStar based?
GaeaStar is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does GaeaStar make money?
One revenue line is on record: clay Cups and Ceramic Packaging Sales.
Who are GaeaStar's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Footprint and Origin Materials. Emerging players are Kelun Earth and Lithoz. Direct peers are Notpla, Sulapac, Loliware and TIPA.
Does GaeaStar have an API?
No public API is recorded for GaeaStar.
What industry is GaeaStar in?
GaeaStar's product category is Sustainable Food Packaging. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAAAAAC, Ceramic & Glass 3D Printers, with a secondary code of IMAAADAC, Ceramic & Glass 3D Printing Services. Its NAICS code is 32711 and its SIC code is 3260.