Full-Time
Posted on 8/9/2025
Develops sustainable biomaterials via biofabrication platforms
$85k - $105k/yr
Company Does Not Provide H1B Sponsorship
Lyndhurst, NJ, USA
Hybrid
This role operates on a hybrid schedule with regular in-person presence as defined by business needs.
Modern Meadow creates sustainable biomaterials through biofabrication. It uses two main platforms: Bio-Alloy and Bio-F@rm. Bio-Alloy combines select proteins with biobased polymers to make materials that outperform traditional ones and enable scalable production with fewer resources. Bio-F@rm engineers fermentation-based proteins at scale for applications across beauty and wellness. The company partners with brands and manufacturers, offering biology and materials science expertise to help them shift away from animal inputs and virgin petrochemicals while delivering superior products. Its goal is to enable companies across industries to produce sustainable, high-performance products using biofabrication instead of conventional inputs, reducing environmental impact and expanding the reach of sustainable biomaterials.
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
Series C
Total Funding
$186.1M
Headquarters
Nutley, New Jersey
Founded
2011
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Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
Unlimited Paid Time Off
Commuter Benefits
401(k) Company Match
Family Planning Benefits
Legal Services
Allbirds, Modern Meadow partner for eco-friendly shoes. The basics: * Allbirds debuts Terralux collection using Modern Meadow's Innovera * Plant-based, animal-free leather alternative enters footwear market * Modern Meadow operates from ON3 campus in Nutley * Allbirds shifts focus to online sales, closing most U.S. stores Footwear brand Allbirds is teaming up with Nutley-based bio-design firm Modern Meadow to launch an industry first. Crafted using Modern Meadow's next-gen leather alternative, the Terralux collection is engineered to look, feel, wear and age like traditional leather. A plant-based protein substrate, biopolymers and recycled rubber comprise Innovera. The material contains more than 80% renewable carbon content and is completely animal-free, according to Modern Meadow. Innovera is then finished in conventional leather tanneries using the same treatment and dyeing processes as animal leather. Other companies have worked with Modern Meadow to use its flagship Innovera. Applications include automotive interiors, premium wallets, tech accessories and luxury handbags. However, Allbirds is the first to bring the innovative material to footwear, according to a press release announcing the collaboration. Now available on allbirds.com, the three-piece collection includes two of the brand's best-selling styles for men and women: the Cruiser Terralux ($135) and Varsity Terralux ($145). It also features a men's runner for $135. Stepping into footwear. Modern Meadow Chief Executive Officer David Williamson said his team is thrilled to team up with Allbirds to bring Innovera into footwear. "With our shared commitment to create high-performance, beautifully aesthetic products that minimize our impact on the planet, we both continue to meet the growing consumer demand for responsibility and transparency without compromising," he said. Williamson also said, "Our material's entry into footwear reinforces its ability to adapt across premium categories without compromising on performance, quality or impact." Founded in 2011, Modern Meadow seeks to create high-performance products with a lower environmental impact. It serves the automotive, furniture and fashion accessories spaces. The firm uses biofabrication and cellular agriculture to create sustainable, animal-free materials. Modern Meadow joined the ON3 campus nine years ago, after outgrowing its home in Brooklyn. By offering Grow NJ tax credits worth about $32 million, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority helped the company bring a laboratory and pilot manufacturing site to the Nutley property. Allbirds Vice President of Design Jason Israel described the Terralux collection as "an important evolution" for the San Francisco-headquartered company. "Innovera allowed us to achieve the look and feel of leather in a bio-based material, opening the door to more elevated, versatile footwear - while still delivering on our comfort and sustainability promise," he said. Murphy's a fan. Launched 11 years ago as a direct-to-consumer e-commerce venture, Allbirds is best known for its machine-washable sustainable footwear made from materials like Merino wool, tree fiber and sugar cane. Allbirds went on to establish a brick-and-mortar footprint of more than 60 stores. However, after two years of closing underperforming stores, the company is calling it quits on most of its physical locations. As part of a strategic shift to focus on online sales, wholesale partnerships and international distribution, Allbirds recently said it will close all full-price stores in the U.S. by the end of February. Going forward, it will maintain two outlet locations in the U.S. and two full full-price stores in London.
Modern Meadow will showcase its bio-designed material INNOVERA at Lineapelle Milan 2026 from 11-13 February. The exhibit will feature cross-industry applications including Allbirds' Terralux footwear collection, automotive seating, accessories and interior concepts. INNOVERA contains over 80% renewable carbon content and is made from plant-based protein substrate, biopolymers and recycled rubber. The material is animal-free, twice as strong as traditional materials, and integrates directly into established leather tanning workflows. The Allbirds partnership marks INNOVERA's first footwear collection, produced by ISA Next-Gen Materials. Modern Meadow will also display a Mercedes-Benz car seat demonstrating automotive-grade capabilities and designer accessories from Melina Bucher. The company, based in Nutley, New Jersey, aims to provide scalable alternatives across automotive, footwear, furniture and fashion sectors.
Modern Meadow and German tannery HELLER-LEDER have formed INNOVERA Europe, a joint venture to produce sustainable materials at scale for European markets. The partnership will establish manufacturing capabilities for INNOVERA, a bio-designed material that replicates the look and feel of leather collagen. European production of Dry White, INNOVERA's semi-finished material, is expected to begin in late 2026 at a new facility. The material, made from plant-based proteins, biopolymers and recycled rubber, contains over 80% renewable carbon content and targets premium automotive, apparel and interiors applications. The joint venture enables Modern Meadow to meet growing regional demand whilst simplifying logistics and tariff considerations. Throughout 2026, the company will transition key operational functions to Europe whilst maintaining uninterrupted customer fulfilment. Total funding raised by Modern Meadow was not disclosed.
Through its development partnership with Mercedes-Benz, Modern Meadow is setting new standards in vehicle interiors and will feature an exclusive black bucket seat from a Mercedes-Benz automobile that is crafted with INNOVERA(TM).
US-based biodesign company Modern Meadow has announced that it will showcase its next-generation material, newly branded as INNOVERA™, at Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen.Formerly known as BIO-VERA®, the leather alternative will be Modern Meadow’s primary material product going forward. It is made from plant-based proteins, biopolymers, and recycled rubber, achieving more than 80% renewable carbon content.INNOVERA™ is said to replicate the look and feel of collagen found in leather, and is available in various colors, haptics, and finishes. Furthermore, it is claimed to be lightweight and twice as strong as traditional leather.The material does not require special preservation or storage conditions, reducing complexity and costs. It is reportedly adaptable to any standard manufacturing process. According to Modern Meadow, the company’s commercial production capabilities make INNOVERA™ readily available to customers and simplify supply chain issues across the fashion, footwear, automotive, and interior design sectors.© Modern MeadowDriving sustainable changeAt Global Fashion Summit, which takes place from June 3-5, Modern Meadow CEO David Williamson, PhD, will participate in a panel discussion on “Bio-Design Futures”. Participants will discuss the need for reduced reliance on petrochemical inputs in fashion, the importance of sustainable alternatives, how renewable carbon content materials are transforming luxury fashion, and how the properties of plants can be harnessed for creativity.The discussion will take place at the Concert Hall Stage on June 5 from 12:15-12:50 p.m