HyperNatural lands investment for material science textiles

HyperNatural, a materials science startup founded by apparel industry veteran Chris Kolbe, raised $500,000 in angel funding from GCI Portfolio Companies, the family-funded private equity firm established by the late Gary Comer, founder of Lands’ End.

Kolbe, who previously served as brand president of Lands’ End and held merchandising leadership roles at Kohl’s and other national retailers, launched HyperNatural to develop a new generation of bio-based textile fibers designed to replace petroleum-derived fabrics commonly used in performance apparel.

At the center of the company’s approach is a patent-pending fiber technology that incorporates natural additives such as jade and chitin, a compound derived from crab shells. The resulting fabrics are designed to regulate body temperature, resist bacteria and provide skin comfort while avoiding synthetic materials like polyester.

Launched in 2022, HyperNatural went to market in 2023 with a line of men’s shirts. Today, the company sells apparel under its own brand through retailers including Nordstrom. Kolbe said the long-term strategy focuses on building a materials platform to be used across multiple apparel categories.

The technology sits within a growing category often described as functional or wellness apparel, clothing designed to support comfort, recovery or performance through specialized fabrics. The segment overlaps with the much larger global activewear and athleisure markets, which together represent hundreds of billions of dollars in annual sales and continue to expand as consumers prioritize health, comfort and performance in everyday clothing.

When HyperNatural first launched, the company emphasized sustainability and the environmental impact of synthetic fabrics. Over time, Kolbe said customer feedback increasingly centered on personal health and skin comfort, prompting the company to position its materials as a “clean” alternative to conventional performance fabrics.

“Most people just don’t realize that polyester is plastic,” Kolbe said.

The new funding will support marketing, product development and additional testing of the fiber’s biofunctional properties. HyperNatural is also expanding into new product categories, including women’s apparel and undergarments, where fabric performance and skin comfort play a larger role in consumer purchasing decisions.

Beyond its own apparel line, the company is exploring partnerships with larger activewear and apparel brands interested in incorporating HyperNatural’s materials into their products.

Kolbe said the company filed both U.S. and global utility patents for its fiber technology roughly two years ago and expects a decision later this year. If the patent is granted and additional testing is completed, the company may pursue a larger investment round to accelerate development and partnerships.

“We’re building a technology platform with broad applications,” Kolbe said.

To learn more about HyperNatural clothing, connect with the company here.