Some of the most transformative innovation in agri-food is happening downstream of the farm, in the materials, products, and industries that agriculture ultimately feeds into.

In this episode, Sarah Nolet speaks with Tina Funder, founder of Alt Leather, an Australian startup developing fully bio-based alternatives to traditional leather.

Tina’s journey into agtech didn’t begin in a lab or on a farm, but in advertising, where she developed a deep understanding of customers, branding, and problem solving. Concerned that most alternative leathers were more plastic than plant, Tina has built a company which sits across multiple industries, from agriculture, biotechnology, manufacturing and fashion.

But this complexity comes with its challenges. Is Alt Leather a materials company? A biotech platform? Or a manufacturing business? And how does that complexity impact their ability to build a team, raise capital, and commercialize?

Sarah and Tina also discuss:

Why some of the biggest agtech opportunities sit in materials and manufacturing.
The challenge of building fully bio-based materials in a plastic-dominated industry.
Evolving your value proposition to focus on what matters to your customers.
The realities of scaling a deep tech company, including capital, manufacturing, and commercial partnerships.
Why sustainability must be paired with price and performance to win

The conversation also reframes one of the most widely misunderstood aspects of leather. While much of the narrative focuses on livestock emissions, Tina highlights that the majority of environmental impact comes from the tanning process (including water use, chemicals, and pollution.)

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