The Material Innovation Initiative (MII) is back.
After the think tank’s board’s not-fiscally-motivated decision to shutter operations in September, the blinds are back open.
And, much like MII’s goodbye speech, the nonprofit organization’s encore also came way of an email.
“Since that announcement, an outpouring of support from our community reminded us just how vital this mission is. It also sparked deep reflection among our leadership,” reads an email, penned by co-founder and CEO Nicole Rawling, sent last week. “We are thrilled to share that the board has reversed its decision. The Material Innovation Initiative is relaunching with renewed commitment, energy and purpose.”
Related Stories
Amid global uncertainty, one thing remains clear: the demand for sustainable and scalable solutions is surging. The hole left by the MII’s fold was only compounded by stalled legislation and delayed climate commitments.
“A rising tide lifts all boats,” Rawling told Sourcing Journal. “I really do strongly believe in that. But when you have limited resources, your focus is on your own business. It’s on your own revenue, it’s your own connections.”
So, what happened in the last 34 weeks to warrant such a reversal? A “generous offer,” per Rawling, championing community-driven collaboration. A few months after the closure, a (currently anonymous) philanthropic patron promised MII a $100,000 donation if it can raise a matching $100,000 from its community.
“We are creating a collaborative ecosystem for the development of next-gen materials that are high-performance, animal-free, more sustainable and that are considered true replacements for some of the most damaging materials on the market,” the MII’s website landing page now reads. “If you would like to support us, you can do so in the donation link below.”
Clicking that button leads inquiring minds to a handful of options; outside of naming-your-price, possible donors can send a one-time or recurring pledge of their number of choice (with suggestions of $5, $50 or $100) as an individual or as a company, as well as a dedicated gift.
“At MII, we envision a future where all materials used in the fashion, automotive and home goods industries are good for the planet and compassionate to its inhabitants,” reads the reason-to-donate’s virtual request. “But we are still a long way from next-gen materials being a promising trend to a viable economic future.”
Rawling said MII has raised roughly $40,000 since the donation was decreed and hopes to secure the remaining $67,000 before summer’s end.
“If you believe in the future of cruelty-free, sustainable materials, please consider making a gift today,” per Rawling’s email. “Your donation will be doubled—and your impact multiplied.”
What’s going to be different? MII plans to increase its use of automation and artificial intelligence—including generative AI—to streamline the science (and secure the sanity) needed for the MII to do the work it wants to.
“I’m working with some consultants to develop some programs to make us more efficient and effective—and [because] I don’t have a material science background,” said Rawling. “Our former scientist, Dr. Sydney Gladman, is coming on as a consultant to review our material science work. If we’re able to raise more, we’ll go back to hiring material scientists.”
What’s on the horizon? The beloved state of the industry report, for starters.
For Rawling, the nucleus of MII’s work is that there simply isn’t enough innovation; if there were, next-gen materials would be on the market. But the majority aren’t ready just yet and cannot meet the brand’s needs, thus evading consumer awareness while infecting investor confidence.
“This the exact time that we need the social sector,” said Rawling, especially considering the United States’ arrested development of funding innovation.
“I do expect some pullback around the world in these areas, and that’s where the social sector fills that void—especially, and this was my experience in the food industry—especially when you’re talking about startups,” she continued. “A lot are extremely cost conscious; they don’t have the expertise in a lot of different areas. That’s where we can come in and really serve a role and connect with industry; I had so many people reaching out after we made the decision to close, and they were devastated.”
To that end, a couple companies in the community have come together, creating groups and clubs to fill the void. But it’s not their business, necessarily, to carry that can.
“Organizing that is really hard,” Rawling said. “So, we’re going to step back in and play that role.”
