Miami-based startup Kind Designs has received $5 million in seed funding. The company plans to use the funds to bring its innovative 3D-printed breakwaters to market. The “Living Seawalls” are said to be more cost-effective than conventional solutions and also promote biodiversity.
The funding round was led by venture capitalists GOVO Venture Partners and the Florida Opportunity Fund, among others. Kind Designs promises its technology will save 95 percent in construction costs compared to traditional breakwaters.
According to company founder Anya Freeman, the “Living Seawalls” are made of concrete that mimics the natural design of coral reefs. This, she says, promotes the growth of marine life. In addition, embedded sensors are designed to monitor data such as pH and water temperature.
Great need for coastal protection
Freeman sees a great need for low-cost coastal protection solutions from the effects of climate change, especially in South Florida. Projections are for $200 billion in costs by 2040 for Miami-Dade County. That’s where Kind Designs wants to come in, using 3D printing to deliver massive savings.
Later this year, the startup plans to install its first breakwater at a commercial property on the Miami River. The long-term goal, they say, is to protect the entire Florida coastline and beyond with the nature-based structures. Investors are excited about the innovation and potential.
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