08/04/2026
🍺 Could the future of sustainable handbags and wallets be hiding at the bottom of your pint glass?
In the latest episode of all about business, James Reed sits down with Dr. Edward “TJ” Mitchell, Co Founder & CTO of Arda Biomaterials, the London-based startup reinventing leather using something you’d never expect: waste grain from brewers and distillers.
From a PhD in radioactive waste storage to building animal and plastic free leather alternatives, TJ shares the twists, pivots, and bold decisions behind Arda’s journey - including why the team shifted from food proteins to sustainable materials, and what it really takes to scale a deep tech startup.
They dive into the realities of fundraising, storytelling as a founder, overcoming scientific and engineering hurdles, and why putting yourself in the right rooms (and asking for advice) can change everything.
🎧 If you’re interested in sustainability, entrepreneurship, deep tech, or the future of materials, this one’s not to be missed. Watch or listen on Reed.com: https://bit.ly/4vxrRL9