Mud Rat

What Mud Rat does

Mud Rat is a US-based, early-stage biomaterials company developing mycelium-based foam alternatives intended to replace petroleum-derived styrofoam in surfboard blanks, buoyant marine products, insulated containers, and other action-sports applications. The core technology combines mushroom mycelium with agricultural waste and invasive plant species, grown in custom chambers over 5-7 days and baked for 1-2 days to harden; the resulting bio-composite filler is being engineered to meet ASTM c578 requirements and is held as a trade secret, with a pending patent on an enhanced second-generation formula. Material development proceeds through three sequential generations — Material 1 (proof of concept, mechanical testing complete), Material 2 (large-scale model, patent pending), and Material 3 (early development).

The company currently monetizes only a limited-edition DTC apparel line — a $35 Mud Rat Tee and a $55 Mud Rat Sweatshirt shipped in 100% recyclable packaging through mudratsurf.com to US customers — with proceeds explicitly framed as funding ongoing R&D. The strategic revenue model is material licensing to surfboard shapers, marine-foam manufacturers, and action-sports OEMs once ASTM compliance and patent issuance are secured; no licensing revenue is yet recognized. Distribution is single-channel DTC e-commerce with international shipping planned. The company is privately held by founder Amelia Martin (CEO), with a small team that includes CMO Jack Tarka and advisors Daniel Kleinman (Climate Tech, founder of Seaworthy Collective) and Jax Higgins (Business Advisor, COO of Escape Velocity). Mud Rat participated in Seaworthy Collective's 2024 cohort, was selected for the World Ocean Summit's Ocean Change Makers Challenge, and is a member of the #1of1000 ocean-sustainability community.

Name

Mud Rat

Legal name

Mud Rat

Website

https://mudratsurf.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Mud Rat is an early-stage US biomaterials startup developing mycelium-based foam alternatives — grown from mushroom mycelium, agricultural waste, and invasive plant species — to replace styrofoam in surfboard blanks and marine applications, while currently monetizing only via limited-edition DTC apparel.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Biomaterials / Mycelium-based Foam Alternatives

NAICS

Urethane and Other Foam Product (except Polystyrene) Manufacturing (32615)

SIC

Plastics Foam Products (3086)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainable Protective & Cushioning Materials (Paper Cushions, Bio-Foams, Mycelium) (IMALAMAH)

Keywords

• Mycelium biomaterials
• Sustainable surfboards
• Mushroom foam
• Bio-composite materials
• Marine foam alternatives

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Merchandise Sales: One-time product sales of branded apparel (t-shirts, sweatshirts). Products are marketed as limited edition items with sustainable packaging. Revenue generated to fund ongoing R&D operations.
2. Material Licensing (Future): Planned licensing of proprietary mycelium-based materials (Material 1 and Material 2) to manufacturers in marine foam and action sports industries. Patent pending for Material 2.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Mud Rat develops proprietary mycelium-based biomaterials made from mushroom mycelium combined with agricultural waste and invasive plant species, creating sustainable foam-like alternatives designed for surfboard blanks and marine foam applications. The company currently sells limited-edition branded apparel (t-shirts and sweatshirts) via its own e-commerce site to fund ongoing research and development of its patent-pending materials.

Product overview

Mud Rat is a biomaterials company developing high-performance bio-based materials from mushroom mycelium combined with agricultural waste and invasive plant materials. The core product portfolio includes MATERIAL 1 (a bio-composite filler material suitable for surfboard blanks and buoyant applications), MATERIAL 2 (an enhanced large-scale model in patent-pending status), and MATERIAL 3 (third-generation material in early development). The company also sells limited-edition merchandise including the Mud Rat Tee ($35) and Mud Rat Sweatshirt ($55), with proceeds supporting research and development. All products ship with 100% recyclable packaging.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Material 1 (Bio-composite Filler) Bio-composite filler material developed from mycelium and invasive plant species, designed as a styrofoam alternative for surfboard blanks, floats, and insulated containers. Slightly bulkier than conventional foam and requires encapsulation for structural integrity. Designed to hit ASTM c578 requirements.
• Material 2 (Enhanced Formula) Enhanced large-scale mycelium-based biomaterial currently in development with patent pending status, focused on improving material properties and scalability over Material 1.
• Material 3 (Third-generation Biomaterial) Third-generation mycelium biomaterial in early development, aimed at further enhancing material properties for marine and surfboard applications.
• Mud Rat Tee Soft, mid-weight cotton blend t-shirt featuring the signature Mud Rat logo design in a classic unisex fit, priced at $35. Ships with 100% recycled materials. Proceeds support ongoing R&D.
• Mud Rat Sweatshirt Cozy, mid-weight sweatshirt with signature Mud Rat logo design in a relaxed unisex fit, priced at $55. Ships with 100% recycled materials. Proceeds support ongoing R&D.

Quantifiable outcome

• Growing process takes 5-7 days, baking takes 1-2 days

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Seaworthy CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOcean innovation accelerator that supports founders working on ocean sustainability. Mud Rat participated in Seaworthy's 2024 cohort. Daniel Kleinman, founder of Seaworthy Collective, serves as Climate Tech Advisor to Mud Rat. Seaworthy has supported over 100 founders since 2020.
• 1of1000 (Ocean Change Makers)minorOthersCommunity of startups working to protect oceans. Mud Rat is a member, participating in World Ocean Day initiatives and ocean protection efforts.
• World Ocean Summit / Economist ImpactminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMud Rat was selected to speak at the World Ocean Summit as part of the Ocean Change Makers Challenge, providing visibility and credibility in the ocean sustainability space.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bolt Threads: Bolt Threads develops bioengineered and mycelium-based materials (e.g., Mylo) for consumer applications. Compares on technology (lab-grown bio-fabrics) and licensing-led revenue model to brands, similar to Mud Rat's planned licensing motion.
• Ecovative Design: Ecovative is the most-established mycelium materials company (Forager Foam, MycoComposite). Directly comparable as a mycelium-biomaterials developer targeting foam replacement and molded packaging — the closest analogue to Mud Rat's Material 1/2 roadmap.
• MycoWorks: MycoWorks produces fine mycelium for leather alternatives (Reishi), targeting premium fashion and auto interiors. Comparable as a high-touch mycelium brand selling a proprietary biotech process into adjacent industries via partnerships.
• Mogu (Mogu S.r.l.): Mogu grows mycelium-based interior and acoustic panels from agricultural residues. Closely comparable on feedstock model (waste-grown mycelium composites), product format (rigid panels/foam substitutes), and go-to-market via specifiers and brands.
• Notox: Notox makes eco-designed surfboards using bio-based and recycled foam cores, including plant-based blanks. Direct competitor in the sustainable surfboard-blank category Mud Rat identifies as its beachhead segment.
• Grown.bio: Grown.bio produces mycelium-based protective packaging as an EPS substitute. Direct competitor in the bio-foam-for-packaging category Mud Rat targets with Material 1's buoyant applications.

Broad incumbents

• Firewire Surfboards: Firewire is a major surfboard brand that has publicly explored biofoam and alternative core constructions, including collaborations on bio-based surfboard blanks. A natural downstream customer for Mud Rat — and a benchmark for surfboard-shaper adoption cycles.

Emerging players

• Bio-Foam by Sugafoo / Ecovative partners: Small mycelium-foam ventures marketing bio-EPS substitutes for protective packaging. Adjacent emerging player in the same foam-displacement niche Mud Rat targets beyond surf.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mud-rat
• Instagraminstagram.com/mudratsurf

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mud Rat