Founder Spotlight: Julia Reisser

Uluu is dedicated to addressing plastic pollution by harnessing the power of the ocean for the planet's benefit. Recognising the environmental harm caused by traditional plastics, Uluu focuses on producing polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from farmed seaweed. PHAs are biocompatible, recyclable, compostable, and biodegradable, offering a sustainable, carbon-negative alternative to fossil fuel-based plastics. By using regeneratively grown seaweed, Uluu not only reduces the reliance on fossil fuels but also contributes to carbon sequestration and ocean health. This innovative approach supports sustainable coastal economies, particularly benefiting women involved in seaweed farming.

Through these efforts, Uluu aims to provide climate-positive solutions and restore marine ecosystems.

Can you share with us the origin story of how you started Uluu?

Uluu was founded through the intersection of my journey and that of my co-founder, Michael. My journey has been driven by an obsession with solving plastic pollution. Originally, I was an oceanographer, and my focus was on understanding the problem, then cleaning the oceans, and eventually recycling. However, I realised that to truly solve the plastic pollution problem, we needed a completely different material.

This led me to the idea of using seaweed to replace fossil fuels as a feedstock and substituting plastic with the natural polymer PHA. By identifying a massive problem and creating a scalable solution that produces positive externalities rather than negative ones, we founded Uluu.

Our goal is to replace plastic with sustainable, biodegradable materials and make a significant impact on the environment.

What have you been most proud of?

My proudest moment has been when our vision became tangible as a business. In the early days, when we joined Startmate, we were just two founders with a compelling idea. Since then, we've built a fantastic team of talented scientists and engineers who have transformed that idea into a reality. Our product has customers excited and wanting to join our journey by replacing plastic in their product lines with Uluu. 

What has your experience been like transitioning to a deep tech Founder and CEO?

Transitioning to a deep tech co-founder and co-CEO has been a transformative experience. Growing up, I was a bit of a geek and always tried to do everything myself. 

However, leading a deep tech company requires a significant shift in mindset. I had to learn how to step back and focus on creating an environment where others can grow and excel. It's about supporting the team to do their best work rather than trying to handle everything personally. This journey is ongoing, but the change from a hands-on scientist to a co-founder of a deep tech business has been both challenging and immensely rewarding. It's taught me the importance of trust, delegation, and nurturing a collaborative team culture.

What are you most excited about going forward? What’s next for you and Uluu?

Until now, our focus has been on developing our MVP and creating something tangible that customers could touch and feel. Now, we are working towards building a scaled test plant to optimise our processes in preparation for our Series A funding round. We are at a pivotal point where we are gearing up to scale our operations and start delivering meaningful impact to our customers.

We are already starting to see positive changes, like the launch of our first commercial product—surf wax combs with Quiksilver—in January. This tangible impact is incredibly exciting and motivates us to work even harder to secure further funding.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

People might be surprised to know that from the age of six until my teenage years, I was obsessed with dancing and dreamt of becoming a professional dancer. I spent about ten years immersed in classical ballet. However, due to the structure of my feet, I couldn’t pursue dancing at a professional level. This unexpected turn led me to channel my passion and dedication into science. If it weren’t for that, I might not have become a founder.