Motion Capital is the lead investor in a $350k early funding round in Dot Ingredients, alongside Climate Venture Capital Fund (CVCF) and the AUT Innovation Fund.
Formerly known as Spherelose®, Dot is the brainchild of Associate Professor Jack Chen, who developed a new way to make critical ingredients for everyday products like soaps, detergents and cosmetics, but using wood pulp instead of petrochemicals or palm oil.
Based in laboratories at Auckland University of Technology (AUT), the company is also participating in the Aurora Climate Lab run by Creative HQ, New Zealand’s leading climate-tech accelerator. The programme supports high-potential start-up companies solving global decarbonisation challenges, while scaling production and developing new applications.
“This investment marks a crucial step forward, allowing Dot Ingredients to protect our intellectual property, strengthen industry partnerships, and prepare for our Seed funding round later this year. Our Cellusphere technology positions us at the forefront of the sustainable chemical industry, delivering better products for consumers and the planet.”
Dr Michael Fielding, CEO of Dot Ingredients
Surfacing from research at AUT, Dot Ingredients has crafted a revolutionary surfactant derived from renewable wood pulp cellulose, directly tackling the reliance on petrochemical and palm oil-based alternatives.
Every year, the world consumes surfactants worth approximately NZD $85 billion. These substances are essential to products used daily in homes and across industries—from soaps and cosmetics to agricultural treatments and industrial coatings. However, the environmental footprint of conventional surfactants is substantial, given their reliance on fossil fuels and palm oil.
“We’re excited to back Dot Ingredients. The economics are compelling, and they’re starting with a focussed entry into everyday products like conditioners and cleaning agents that rely heavily on surfactants. The technology has clear potential to scale across multiple industries, and the response from the market has been overwhelmingly positive. We see a strong pathway to global impact.”
Ralph Chang, Partner at Motion Capital
Dot Ingredients’ Celluspheres™ offer a robust, renewable solution capable of replacing these traditional surfactants in many applications. The company’s initial market focus on cosmetics aligns strategically with rising consumer demand for ethical and environmentally-friendly products.
Dot Ingredients will use the investment to protect intellectual property, gather crucial industry feedback, expand its team, and prepare for its upcoming Seed funding round.
“Our experience investing in Cleanery, the powder-based cleaning product company, contributed to our interest in the sector, which eventually led us to Dot Ingredients. Their Celluspheres technology not only replaces environmentally harmful surfactants but opens pathways for significant emissions reduction and sustainable production. We’re excited to support Dot Ingredients in scaling a solution poised to transform the global surfactant market, an industry that is ready for a more ethical and effective technology.”
Dr Jez Weston, Partner at Climate VC Fund
Motion Capital
Motion Capital is a venture capital firm backing technology companies that make it cheaper to save the world than to destroy it. We invest in scalable innovations across energy, industrial process decarbonisation, and sustainable food systems – solutions that strengthen energy security, supply chain resilience, and global competitiveness. As a founding partner of the Aurora Climate Lab, New Zealand’s leading climate-tech accelerator, we back companies developing the foundational technologies of a low-emissions economy.
Climate Venture Capital Fund
The Climate Venture Capital Fund (CVCF) is New Zealand’s first venture capital series investing exclusively in high-growth companies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Our portfolio of eight companies are all developing commercially viable routes to material emissions reductions. CVCF was awarded ‘Best Net Zero and Climate Action Investor’ at the Mindful Money Awards in 2023 and 2024
AUT Ventures
Established in 2005, AUT Ventures Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Auckland University of Technology (AUT) with a proven track record of bringing AUT innovation to the world. They exist to share AUT research and expertise with the world to make a big social impact and support future research.
AUT Ventures plays a pivotal role in connecting industry and investors with AUT staff, students, and graduates. They’re proud to work with government, industry, and community partners to create real-world impact through AUT research and expertise.