At SRTX, we believe that the future of textiles starts with bold, sustainable innovation. That’s why we launched SRTX Origins, our materials incubator dedicated to discovering and scaling next-generation material technologies.

Nature Meets Innovation: The Story Behind MycoFutures’ Mushroom Leather

We’re proud to announce that our first incubator partner is MycoFutures, a materials startup transforming the root system of fungi—mycelium—into a plant-based leather alternative that feels as luxurious as traditional leather but without the environmental impact. Our latest creation? The Myco Travel Pouch, now available for pre-sale on sheertex.com.

But this launch is about more than just a product—it’s about supporting MycoFutures’ next big step: establishing their first dedicated production facility in Montreal through SRTX Origins’ incubator. Every pouch sold helps scale their groundbreaking work and bring sustainable materials to the global fashion industry.

We sat down with Stephanie, CEO & co-founder of MycoFutures, to learn more about the journey from growing gourmet mushrooms in rural Newfoundland to pioneering a future-proof leather alternative. Read on for the full Q&A on how innovation, sustainability, and determination came together to shape MycoFutures.

Meet Stephanie Lippo, the CEO and Co-Founder of MycoFutures

What sparked the idea behind MycoFutures? Was there a defining moment that inspired you to work with fungi and create a sustainable leather alternative?

In 2019, my co-founder & I moved to rural Newfoundland to start a gourmet mushroom farm to address food insecurity. During the pandemic, we ran a mushroom subscription delivery.

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One day Leo was cleaning the grow room & removed a failed bag that hadn’t grown mushrooms. He planned to compost it, but couldn’t break it with a shovel & out of frustration, tried a lawnmower, breaking the lawnmower & discovered the surprising strength of the mycelium.

Our first piece of material was made in three months & won us the first pitch competition we entered, providing us capital & confidence to pursue the idea.

We talked to potential customers & learned there was unmet demand for sustainable leather alternatives, despite well-funded competitors. We had limited knowledge of startups but we saw an opportunity to leverage our expertise to pivot toward creating a sustainable material to disrupt the fashion industry. This marked the beginning of MycoFutures, driven by our desire to make a big impact.

Tell us about your early explorations working with mycelium. What are some challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?

Various species of mushrooms grow in nature in all kinds of conditions. There is even fungus growing in the remains of the radioactive reactors in Chernobyl. They are exposed to all kinds of elements and competing bacteria and still thrive. Once you bring the mushrooms indoors to grow, they need to be cared for very closely - they are very high maintenance. They become susceptible to temperature fluctuations, too much or too little airflow and gnats. Leo learned our species inside and out so he could care for it and even trained it to consume their food source more efficiently.

Is there a ‘perfect’ type of mushroom for making leather? How do you choose the strains you work with, and what makes them ideal for crafting durable, sustainable materials?

The fungi kingdom is infinitely fascinating. Fungi are genetically more similar to animals than plants. Different mushroom species grow different kinds of roots, some are light and fluffy and stay that way, others create a strong intertwined biomass and when tanned with our proprietary non-toxic chemical process become strikingly similar to leather. The species and strain of fungi we use is a trade secret, we call him Frank.

What specific sustainability problems is MycoFutures aiming to solve?

The fashion industry is the second most polluting industry on the planet, and leather is a major contributor. From deforestation for cattle rearing to tanning to fast fashion manufacturing, there are devastating effects on the environment at each step. By creating an alternative material that leverages the efficiency of vertical farming, the infinite renewable nature of fungi and green chemistry technology, we can skip a lot of what is actively contributing to catastrophic climate change. We believe that this is one way we can start turning it around.

How does MycoFutures incorporate circular design principles into your production process and long-term business strategy?

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To develop a material that is truly transformative, we need to consider the entire lifecycle of the product from what feedstocks go into it at the start and what happens after it leaves our hands.

We use forestry and agriculture waste, giving it a second life and saving it from landfill. On our farm we use renewable energy and recycle water and chemistry. And at the end-of-life, the used growing blocks can be turned into carbon-rich soil or biochar, both valuable amendments for farm soil. So when you are ready to part with your product made with mycelium leather, it will break down over time, when exposed to microbes and moisture, without releasing toxicants or microplastics. Long term, this means that materials won’t stick around, piling up forever.

How do you see MycoFutures scaling in the future? What’s your vision for the next 5, 10 years?

Our future vision for MycoFutures is scaling significantly to become a key supplier of sustainable materials for fashion and beyond. Think furniture, car seats and airplane interiors. In the next 3-5 years our primary goal is to ramp up production to 1 million square meters per year, meeting growing demand while maintaining environmental and social responsibility. This involves optimizing our processes for efficiency and sustainability, supported by investments in cutting-edge infrastructure. In 10 years we aim to be making millions of square meters of Myco in manufacturing hubs around the world.

Any closing words?

At the start of 2019, my co-founder Leo and I never would have imagined just what the decision to uproot our lives in the GTA for a tiny coastal town in rural Newfoundland would mean for the trajectory of our lives. We thought we would live a quiet life growing mushrooms and enjoying a slower pace on the edge of North America.

Since then, we’ve taken some twists and turns, faced endless challenges, met the most intelligent, generous and creative people, and are now committed to fulfilling our vision of a more sustainable materials industry.

The experience of building a start up that combines my deep awe of fungi, my lifelong love of fashion and the opportunity to really make an impact in the world has been so rewarding and a privilege. Leo and I are so excited to be able to share our work and grateful to the SRTX team for helping us get here.

Your Purchase Powers the Future

Every sale of the Myco Travel Pouch supports MycoFutures’ next big step in establishing their first dedicated production facility in Montreal through SRTX Origin’s incubator. Be part of revolutionizing the leather industry with powerful mycelium based alternatives.

Shop the Pre-Sale Now*

*Shipping starts April 2025 on first come, first serve basis

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Nature Meets Innovation: The Story Behind MycoFutures’ Mushroom Leather

Your Purchase Powers the Future

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