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Bolt Threads is based out of Emeryville, California and was founded in August, 2009 by Dan Windmaier, David Breslauer, and Ethan Mirsky.
Bolt Threads makes a synthetic silk using biotechnology that mimics properties of spider silk. There are many different kinds of silks a spider extrude for different purposes. The synthetic silk made by Bolt Threads mimics dragline silk — a very strong and flexible form of silk that spiders make when rappelling down to something. Engineers at Bolt Threads figured out a way to design yeast that produce protein that can be made into a fiber sharing similar properties with dragline spider silk. The proteins made by yeast through almost the same process used to brew beer (yeast fermentation). The proteins from the yeast brewing process are then isolated, purified and squeezed into long thin fibers using a die. From here the fibers are used to make products such as clothing
Bolt Threads announced on March 10th, 2017 they will be making a limited addition knit synthetic Spider silk tie that will sell for $314. The tie was only available in blue and the company only made 50 ties.
Bolt Threads describing their synthetic silk and limited addition ties
The "Cap of Courage" is a limited edition winter hat made by Best Made Co (a company owned by Bolt Threads) that was released to the public on December 7th, 2017. The hat is made with Bolt Threads synthetic Microsilk and Rambouillet wool. There were only 100 "Caps of Courage" made that sold for $198 each.
Bolt Threads worked with Stella McCarthy, a British fashion designer, to make a dress out of Bolt Threads synthetic Microsilk for an art exhibition called "Items: Is Fashion Modern" held at the Museum of Modern Art. The dress was on display at the exhibition between October 1st, 2017 and January 28th, 2018.
Bringing fashion into the future: Microsilk™ dress by Bolt Threads and Stella McCartney
During the early years of Bolt Threads, they received funding from the National Science foundation and the US military to evaluate their synthetic silks potential to be used in ballistics, and for evaluation of the material for use in surgical sutures and the US military to evaluate their synthetic silks potential to be used in ballistics, and for evaluation of the material for use in surgical sutures.
On November 22nd, 2014 Bolt Threads concluded their series A funding round, bring in $7,700,000 in funding. Investors include: Zygote Ventures, Silicon Valley Bank, Mission Bay Capital, and Foundation Capital, Mission Bay Capital, and Foundation Capital.
On June 4th, 2015 Bolt Threads closed their series B funding round, raising a total of $32,300,000 in funding. Investors include: Zygote Ventures, LeFrak, Mission Bay Capital, Founders Fund, Foundation Capital, Formation 8, East West Capital Limited, and Alafi Capital, Foundation Capital, Formation 8, East West Capital Limited, and Alafi Capital, East West Capital Limited, and Alafi Capital.
On May 11th, 2016 Bolt Threads closed their series C funding round with $50,000,000 raised in capital. Investors include: Formation 8, Alafi Capital, East West Capital, Foundation Capital, Nan Fung, and Innovation Endeavours.
On January 3rd, 2018 Bolt Threads closed their series D funding round, raising $123,000,000 in funding. Investors include: Baillie Gifford, Formation 8, Founders Fund, Fidelity Management, Research Company, Temasek, Allen & Company, and Steve Vassallo.
In May 2016, after Bolt Threads concluded their series C funding round, the company announced it will be partnering with Patagonia — an outdoor clothing company renowned for their high quality gear and commitment to sustainability. The financial terms of the partnership is undisclosed by both companies .
On July 27th, 2017 Bolt Threads acquired the Best Made Company — a New York City based outdoor apparel company — for an undisclosed price. The partnership is designed for Bolt Threads to focus on making materials (I.e Microsilk), and for Best Made Company to focus on making products out of materials made by Bolt Threads. Best Company will act as a retailer for future Bolt Threads products.
