The Journal

Sharing what moves and inspires us.

Innovation

MN Cup Interview: WCCO Mid Morning Show

April 26, 2023

by

Phoam Labs

Watch our founder and CEO Dundee Butcher's interview where she explains the story behind our innovative floral foam that is changing the floral industry brick by brick.

In 2016 BKB Floral was founded and entered into a research agreement with the Sustainable Polymer Center at the University of Minnesota to develop a compostable floral foam. The research was successful, and patents were applied for in 2018 in the US and Europe. The patents were granted in 2022.

The inspiration behind this endeavor was our CEO, Dundee Butcher. Dundee had worked for leading florists in London and then set up a successful flower school and studio in Northern California. She was very concerned about the environmental impact of the phenolic floral foams being used in the industry and became determined to develop a truly sustainable alternative.

At the beginning of 2022 BKB carried out its first external fundraising and set up a new R&D facility in Minneapolis to continue the development of the companies foam product. In September 2022 BKB was announced the winner of the MN Cup, with nearly 2,600 entries the largest competition held in the US for start-up/small companies. It also was awarded the Green Chemistry prize.

In December 2022 the company moved into a larger R&D facility in Minneapolis as it expanded its development program. In March 2023 the company completed its second external fundraising as it positions itself for commercial production of its foams in the second half of the year.

In May 2023 the company changed its name to Phoam Labs, Inc.

Also in

Innovation

Controlled Environment Agriculture

By

Dundee Butcher

Learn more