Founded by Ines Schiller — a certified marine guide, neuroscientist and social entrepreneur — Vyld (pronounced “wild”) has just raised pre-seed funding to build a commercial prototype of the 100% biodegradable period product, writes „Sifted”.

2,5 million tons of feminine hygiene products are thrown into the ocean each year and 90% of the products on the market are single use and come into a plastic wrapping.

Vyld’s backers include impact investors The Case for Her and Purpose Ventures, as well as angels such as Sebastian Klein, cofounder of Blinkist.

Schiller says that Vyld’s long-term vision is to create an “algaeverse” — establishing seaweed as a regenerative raw material to be used in a wide range of products.

“Chemicals are used in the process of turning fibres into [traditional] tampons which you just don’t want in your body,” says Schiller for Sifted.

Vyld is a self-owned company — meaning the profits are reinvested in the company or donated.