Hempitecture Inc.

Hempitecture is building a U.S. manufacturing facility for HempWool insulation.

This is an opportunity to invest in American manufacturing, and fund a more sustainable future built with hemp.

Building insulation is a $10 billion industry. And companies in this industry are very valuable. For example:

• Owens Corning (NYSE: OC), developers of insulation and roofing materials, has a market cap of $11 billion.

• Rockwool International, makers of wool-based insulation products, has a market cap of $10 billion.

• And Boise Cascade (NYSE: BCC), which manufactures building materials, has a $2.6 billion market cap.

Hempitecture is already disrupting this industry with its hemp-based insulation material.

Two years ago, hemp-based insulation was virtually non-existent in the U.S. But now it’s becoming mainstream, and Hempitecture is profiting from this shift. The company achieved 800% revenue growth in 2020 and has achieved 450% growth so far in 2021.

Hempitecture is generating about $1 million in annual revenue from more than 250 customers. And its partners include the U.S. Department of Energy and the University of Idaho. Notably, one of its advisors authored the U.S. patent for HempWool insulation.

The company has proven its technology and demand for its product. Now it’s raising capital to scale its business and begin mass production in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.

To back up for a moment, HempWool is the most sustainable insulation product in the world. It’s made from 90% hemp fiber and 10% binder. The result is a material that’s non-toxic, highly insulating, and resistant to mold and pests.

HempWoold is an ideal substitute for conventional insulation materials like fiberglass and spray foam. These materials are toxic and bad for the environment. Fiberglass and spray foam are responsible for health issues like lung cancer. And the extraction, production, and use of these materials creates significant carbon footprints.

HempWood, in contrast, is safe for people and the planet. Hempitecture’s product is manufactured using proprietary textile technology. The process involves taking natural fibers and converting them into high-performing insulating materials.

As mentioned, the company’s immediate focus is on a brand-new facility that will be constructed in Idaho. This facility will be part of an industrial park that will feature more than 600,000 square feet of manufacturing and distribution space. Hempitecture will be its first tenant. And the park will house the company’s manufacturing facility — the first of its kind in North America.

On June 15, the company will celebrate the “shovel ready” project with a ceremonial groundbreaking. The event will be attended by the Idaho Department of Commerce and the state’s governor.

Why set up shop in Idaho? The state is central to hemp-growing states like Washington, Montana, and Oregon. It’s also within a 700-mile radius of the largest “green” building markets including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver, and Denver. Idaho also has a growing workforce.

Hempitecture’s federal partners include the U.S. Department of Energy and the Building Technologies Office, part of the DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy.

Its state level partners include the Southern Idaho Economic Development, University of Idaho, and the Idaho Global Entrepreneurial Mission. In May 2021, the Idaho Department of Commerce announced a $200,000 grant to the University of Idaho and Hempitecture to fund research around HempWool products.

Team Background

Matthew Mead - Co-Founder & CEO

Matthew has a background in architecture and entrepreneurship.

After earning a degree in Architectural Studies from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, he founded a sports apparel company. After that, he worked for RoofDeck Solutions, a building materials company.

From there, he was a builder with Class Five Enterprises, a residential construction business. He then spent four years as a planning and zoning commissioner for the city of Ketchum, Idaho.

Tommy Gibbons - Co-Founder & COO

Tommy is an Ivy League graduate who was named to Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list in the Manufacturing and Industry category.

He graduated from Princeton with a degree in Economic Policy, then became an analyst with Goldman Sachs, an investment firm. After that, he worked for Piper, a technology company aimed at getting kids involved with computers.

In December 2020, Tommy was selected by the Department of Energy’s Building Technologies Office to be an IMPEL+ Innovator, which involved working with scientists and entrepreneurs to bring building-related technologies to market.

Brian George - Technical Strategic Advisor

Brian has extensive experience in the textile industry, including production of non-woven fabrics.

For the past four years, he’s served as an associate professor of engineering at Thomas Jefferson University. Prior to that, he was an associate professor of engineering and textiles at Philadelphia University.

Notably, Brian wrote the U.S. patent for HempWool. He earned a Bachelor’s degree and Ph.D. in Textile Science from North Carolina State University.

Aimee Christensen - Sustainability Strategic Advisor

Aimee has advised some of the world’s top companies, including Google, Microsoft, the Virgin Group, and the U.S. Department of Energy.

She is the Founder and CEO of Christensen Global, a consulting company focused on policy and sustainability initiatives. She also founded Sun Valley Institute, a civic and social organization dedicated to helping Idaho businesses and community programs thrive.

Earlier, Aimee was a special advisor at the United Nations, offering guidance on sustainable energy policies. Before that, she was a consultant with The World Bank, and spent four years as a policy analyst with the DOE.

She earned a Bachelor’s degree from Smith College and a Law degree from Stanford.

Co-Investors