Founder’s Story
Ponda began with a simple but radical question: What if materials could restore the environments they come from, rather than deplete them? Born from a shared curiosity about building a truly regenerative supply chain, Ponda is actively developing a new model for how materials are grown, made, and used.
Our four founders- Julian, Antonia, Neloufar, and Finlay-met while studying for a Master’s in Innovation Design Engineering at Imperial College London and the Royal College of Art. Brought together by a shared fascination with how materials shape our world, their research led them to one of Earth's most overlooked yet vital ecosystems: wetlands.
These landscapes store vast amounts of carbon, play a critical role in regulating water systems, and support immense biodiversity. Yet, over the last century, large areas have been drained for agriculture, turning powerful carbon sinks into major sources of emissions.
Driven to reverse this trend, the team discovered the potential of bulrush (Typha latifolia). Growing naturally in wetlands, bulrush produces lightweight fibers that trap air and offer incredible natural insulation.
But what truly stood out was not just its performance, but its dependency on a functioning ecosystem. This is a material that can only exist if wetlands are kept alive.
To harness this, Ponda champions paludiculture- the cultivation of crops on rewetted peatlands. By partnering with farmers and conservationists, we have created a way to grow raw materials while directly supporting the recovery of degraded landscapes.
Our Founders
Ponda’s strength lies in a founding team with distinctly different, yet perfectly balanced, instincts. Julian, with his background in engineering, is the systems thinker and big-picture visionary. Finlay approaches material science and technical details with a chemist's precision. Neloufar keeps the vision grounded, blending commercial strategy with a design-led focus, while Antonia acts as the creative catalyst, transforming abstract ideas into tangible products.
Today, Ponda has grown from a university project into a rapidly scaling company. We are supported by a growing team of deeply committed experts across agriculture, material processing, and product development- all working together to build this regenerative connection at scale.
Our Founders
At the core of Ponda is a founding team with distinct but complementary instincts:
Today, Ponda has grown from a university project into a rapidly scaling company. We are supported by a growing team of deeply committed experts across agriculture, material processing, and product development- all working together to build this regenerative connection at scale.
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