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Marine innovations company, Expedition Zero, has launched a £500,000 funding round to accelerate the development of its recyclable composite material, EcoMinera, and prepare for a wider £5 million raise in 2026.
The investment marks a key milestone in the company’s transition from prototype development to commercial scale, as it works toward building a £100 million business by 2030.
Expedition Zero is on a mission to decarbonise the marine industry by replacing fibreglass, one of the sector’s most polluting and least recyclable materials, with sustainable alternatives. Each year, the marine industry uses around four million tonnes of fibreglass, much of which ends up in landfill or abandoned in waterways.
EcoMinera provides a solution: a lightweight, fully recyclable composite made from mineral fibre and bio-based resin. It is stronger and stiffer per kilogram than fibreglass, water-repellent, fire-resistant, and delivers up to 90% lower environmental impact across the full life-cycle than fiberglass.
The material has already been used in multiple yachts, including a 60-foot ocean racing vessel that has completed more than 20,000 miles of testing, demonstrating both performance and scalability.
Expedition Zero previously announced a strategic joint venture with Innovation Yachts to bring EcoMinera to market, Andrew Cowen, Co-Founder and CEO of Expedition Zero commented on the partnership:
“We’re really excited to work alongside Innovation Yachts, our design and build partner on the launch of EcoMinera. This material is the culmination of many years of intensive R&D by Innovation Yachts, who have proven it’s a remarkable, better performing and more sustainable alternative to fibreglass.”
Expedition Zero began as an adventure sailing initiative, working alongside Innovation Yachts to develop sustainable expedition sailing yachts for commercial operations. The company has since pivoted to focus on materials innovation, developing solutions to the environmental and economic problems caused by fiberglass.
The team is advancing projects that include a 70-foot commercial expedition yacht, fire-containment systems for marine battery boxes, and applications for autonomous underwater vehicles. There is already strong commercial traction with a forward order book for EcoMinera built yachts valued at over £10 million.
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The £500,000 SEIS round will fund R&D, strengthen global IP protection, and finalise design work for the next generation of yachts constructed from EcoMinera. This initial raise is the first phase of a larger £5 million funding round planned for 2026.
The larger raise will finance further acquisitions and investment in production capacity, positioning Expedition Zero as a leading supplier of sustainable composites for marine and related industries. Together, these funding stages will enable the company to scale EcoMinera commercially and support its ambition to reach £100 million in revenue by 2030.
Expedition Zero is led by a team with extensive expertise in global business, ocean racing, and investment. Andrew Cowen, co-founder, brings over 25 years of commercial leadership, including Global roles at Unilever. Co-founder Jim Dobie is a seasoned expedition leader and former Head of Fleet Operations for the Clipper Round the World Race.
Technical Lead Andy Hindley has held senior roles with the America’s Cup, Ben Ainslie Racing, and the Volvo Ocean Race. Investor strategy is led by Aly Rahimtoola, a serial entrepreneur and former investment banker, and the board is chaired by Richard Wilson, a global financial services executive.
The company’s integrated strategy combines vessel production, materials licensing, and commercial leasing, creating multiple revenue streams while providing global visibility for EcoMinera. Over time, Expedition Zero expects to attract interest from major composites producers and shipyards seeking access to sustainable materials and proprietary marine designs.
Upcoming media coverage in both marine and national media will highlight the company’s transition from ocean exploration to materials innovation and its role in shaping sustainability standards in marine manufacturing.
For more information, visit www.expeditionzero.com.
