The Startup Turning Swamps Into Fashion Gold

In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Julian Ellis-Brown, CEO and co-founder of Ponda, the innovative biomaterials company developing the world’s first wetland-regenerating material supply chain. Julian shares the story behind Ponda’s mission to transform how we think about materials - starting with BioPuff, a plant-based insulation made from bulrush grown on restored wetlands. Discover how Ponda is redefining sustainability in fashion by linking material innovation with ecosystem restoration. Julian discusses the challenges and breakthroughs of scaling a regenerative supply chain, the role of farmers and landowners in their journey, and why wetlands are the key to a more resilient, carbon-negative future. Learn about Ponda’s collaborations with major brands like Stella McCartney, Berghaus, Sheep Inc., and Parley for the Oceans, and how their crowdfunding campaign is accelerating the shift from pilot to commercial scale.