Laval, QC-based Dispersa, a cleantech startup that transforms food waste into sustainable chemicals, has raised $5.8 million CAD ($4.3M USD) in seed funding to commercialize its PuraSurf biosurfactant.
The round was led by Nàdarra Ventures, with participation from BDC’s Thrive Lab, Cycle Momentum, The51’s Food and AgTech Fund, and Fonds d’investissement Eurêka. Existing investors, including Good & Well, Dragonfly Ventures, BoxOne Ventures, and Front Row Ventures, also contributed.
Replacing Fossil Fuel and Palm-Derived Surfactants
Surfactants are key ingredients in cleaning products, detergents, shampoos, and cosmetics. Currently, over 90% of surfactants are made from petroleum or palm oil, creating environmental and ethical concerns.
Dispersa’s PuraSurf biosurfactant offers a biodegradable, non-toxic alternative, sourced entirely from food waste through fermentation—a process similar to brewing beer but more complex.
Founder & CEO Nivatha Balendra, a cancer survivor inspired by a high school science project, explained:
“Surfactants are everywhere, yet their production is outdated. We’re proving that high-performance, sustainable alternatives can be commercially viable.”flects their confidence in our long-term vision. This investment strengthens our ability to lead in the EV charging industry while accelerating our journey to financial sustainability.”
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Scaling Up Production & Expanding the Team
With this funding, Dispersa plans to:
- Scale production of PuraSurf to meet rising demand from manufacturers.
- Double its workforce by hiring 14 new team members across manufacturing, sales, and operations.
- Expand commercial partnerships in the North American cleaning products market.
The company operates from two locations:
- Laval, Québec – R&D headquarters with a new 5,000 sq. ft facility.
- Nova Scotia – Production facility in collaboration with Verschuren Centre for large-scale manufacturing.
A Circular Economy Approach to Sustainability
By upcycling waste oils and sugars into high-value biosurfactants, Dispersa is leading a circular economy approach to chemical production. The startup is well-positioned to meet growing regulatory and consumer demand for eco-friendly alternatives.
With $13M CAD in total funding, Dispersa aims to expand its product portfolio beyond PuraSurf, developing a library of novel biosurfactants for applications in home care, personal care, and industrial cleaning.
