Kraig Biocraft Laboratories — Ann Arbor, United States

This company develops recombinant spider silk fibres (e.g., “dragon silk” branding appears in public materials) targeting high-performance textile and industrial fibre applications. Its market is materials users seeking exceptional strength/toughness attributes and proprietary fibre performance. Unlike fermentation-first spider silk firms, it is known for genetic engineering approaches involving biological production systems that can express spider […]
Bolt Threads — United States

This company has developed recombinant spider-silk proteins (Microsilk) for textile applications, positioning biofabricated silk as a premium alternative material for apparel and fashion supply chains. Its target market has been fashion brands and material innovators seeking distinct performance and sustainability narratives. Its technology uses fermentation to produce spider-silk–like proteins, which are then processed into fibres/yarns. […]
AMSilk — Neuried, Germany

This company produces biotech silk protein materials sold as fibres/yarns and also as formulations for medical and consumer goods. Its target markets include textiles, performance materials, and biomedical applications where biocompatibility and customisable properties are valued. Its technology produces “man-made proteins” (spider-silk–inspired) and turns them into multiple material formats; this is generally achieved through industrial […]
Spiber — Japan

This company produces “brewed protein” materials, including spider-silk–inspired fibres, targeting apparel and performance textiles where premium material properties and sustainability claims can justify early adoption. It has repeatedly been positioned as one of the most advanced commercial actors in biofabricated silk-like fibres for fashion collaborations. The core technology is fermentation-based production of silk proteins (rather […]
VitroLabs — San Francisco, United States

This company pioneered cell-cultivated leather positioning and raised significant funding to build pilot production for “real leather without raising and slaughtering animals.” Its target market was (and remains via its IP) premium fashion and materials users seeking authentic leather properties with reduced animal and land impacts. Its process has been described as taking a one-time […]
Lab-Grown Leather Ltd — Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

This company aims to supply “100% lab-grown leather” for applications that value authenticity and performance (including luxury and potential industrial applications). It has also pursued high-visibility demonstrations (such as unusual “heritage” leather narratives) to draw attention to the platform and potential partnerships. Its process is described as cultivated leather without scaffolds or synthetic additives, implying […]
Qorium — Maastricht, Netherlands

The company is developing biologically real leather produced from a small number of animal cells, aiming to deliver uniform, premium hides for fashion, automotive and other leather-intensive sectors. The target market is performance leather users who also want reduced environmental impact and improved supply consistency. Its technology is cultivated leather: grow cow-derived cells and guide them to […]
Faircraft — Paris, France

This company targets premium leather goods with “real leather grown in a lab,” with early showcases including luxury-style accessories (e.g., handbags) as proof-of-material quality. The target market is fashion and luxury, where material consistency, traceability, and ethical narratives can command early premiums. Its approach is tissue engineering for leather: grow leather-like material in vitro using […]