The Future is Fungi
Dive into the captivating world of fungi with the 'The Future is Fungi' podcast, where we explore groundbreaking discoveries and innovations in the mycological universe. Join us as we converse with leading scientists and trailblazers whose visionary work is steering our planet towards a sustainable future by leveraging the fungal kingdom. This podcast is for everyone interested in learning about the potential to leverage fungi for environmental solutions, but also specifically scientists who are interested in commercializing their research and fungi-focused startups looking to grow their companies.
Episodes
From Petri Dish to Beauty: Transforming Cosmetics with Fungi
In this episode, we sit down with Brita, molecular biologist and co-founder of Mycolever, a biotech startup unlocking the potential of fungi to create sustainable ingredients for everyday products. As a top two finalist out of 187 startups in The Future is Fungi Award, Mycolever is developing fungal-based alternatives to petrochemical and deforestation-linked ingredients used in cosmetics and pers
Startup Award Winner 2025 - Michroma
From lab to market: building the future of food with fungiIn the first episode of the season, we speak with Ricky Cassini, founder of Michroma and winner of The Future is Fungi Startup Award 2025, about how fungal biology and precision fermentation are being used to replace synthetic food dyes with natural, high-performance alternatives.Ricky shares what it really takes to turn deep science into r
Fungi and the Future of Space Exploration w/ Dr. Rothschild & Haveman from NASA
"Science fiction is rapidly becoming science fact"In this episode, we journey beyond Earth with Dr. Lynn J. Rothschild, an astrobiologist pioneering the use of mycelium materials to build structures on the Moon and Mars. Alongside her is Natasha Haveman, a NASA researcher exploring how fungi can sustain astronauts with food on deep space missions.Together, they reveal how fungi could tra
From Peer Review to Pitch Decks: Building Funga with Colin Averill
What if restoring the forest microbiome could help scale reforestation, a healthy forest and build a new kind of climate tech? In this episode, we speak with Dr.Colin Averill, founder of Funga, about translating decades of ecology research into a bold startup vision.Funga uses cutting‑edge DNA sequencing, machine learning, and decades of mycology research to restore fungal biodiversity in forest s
Mycoremediation and Its Fungal Powers with Dr. Oona Snoeyenbos-West
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Oona Snoeyenbos-West, an environmental microbiologist and co-founder of MycoMine, a pioneering startup using fungi to clean up pollution. With over two decades of experience, Oona is at the forefront of mycoremediation — the process of using fungi’s mycelium networks to break down environmental pollutants like oil spills, heavy metals, and plastics.We discuss
Fungi, Function & the Future: 35 Years at the Frontier with Han Wösten
In this episode, we sit down with Professor Han Wösten, a pioneer in fungal biology with over three decades of experience. Based at Utrecht University, Han leads cutting-edge research into fungal growth and development, including projects exploring mycelium-based leather and sustainable materials. We explore his journey into applied science — from mycoremediation and biodegradable coatings to func
Harnessing Fungi and Rethinking Waste with Joanne Rodriguez from Mycocycle
In this episode, Mycocycle’s founder and CEO Joanne Rodriguez shares an inspiring journey from the construction industry to building a company that partners with fungi to transform waste into high-performance materials. What started with an experiment on asphalt shingles has grown into a mission to replace plastics with nature-inspired innovations.Tune in to discover how biomimicry, fungi, and a r
Scaling Mycelium Innovation with Eben Bayer of Ecovative
In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of mycelium innovation with Eben Bayer, Co-founder & CEO of Ecovative and MyForest Foods. Curious how fungi can revolutionize industries with sustainable materials and even food production? Tune in to discover more!As a sneak peek, we discuss Ecovative’s journey from an ambitious idea in 2006 to becoming one of the largest fungi scale-ups to
Self-Healing Materials with Dr. Elise Elsacker and Dimitri Floudas
In this episode, we explore the groundbreaking world of self-healing materials with Elise Elsacker from Vrije University and Dimitri Floudas from Lund University. Curious how fungi can repair cracks in concrete or mimic leather? Tune in to find out!As a sneak peek, we’ll discuss how fungal spores embedded in concrete activate when cracks form, and how fungal leather self-repairs to extend its life
Visibuilt - replacing bitumen in asphalt with fungi
In the 4th episode of The Future is Fungi podcast, you will get to meet the fungi startup Visibuilt - our 2nd place startup winner which is making something incredible novel - they are replacing petrochemical derived bitumen in asphalt production with fungi. Converting to fungal binders can significantly improve the environmental impact of the asphalt industry, and Visibuilts founder and CEO Line
Electromicrobial CO2 Fixation - William Newell
In this episode we are interviewing William Newell for his research on electromicrobial CO2 fixation, and how this can prove to be an important sustainable solution. Do you wonder what that is? Tune in! As a taster we can say that by using electricity from renewable sources, you can turn CO2 into a liquid acid that a yeast can consume. Thereafter, you can turn the biomass into new use, such as yet
Mycoremediation with startup winner Novobiom
In this episode, the shared startup winner Novobiom with co-founder and CEO Jean-Michel Scheuren shares about how their startup leverages the natural capabilities of fungi as the cleaner and decomposer to clean contaminated soil through so called mycoremediation. Novobiom also turns textile waste into new bioactive compounds that can be used in cosmetics, through the use of fungi.Tune in to learn
Fungal Mycobattery for Energy Storage - Jens Laurids Sørensen
In our first episode, Jens Laurids Sørensen, associate professor at Aalborg University and the research winner of the inaugural The Future is Fungi Award, discusses his revolutionary research on fungal-batteries, and his aspirations and work to commercialize this into real world use. Join in and prepare to be blown away!This podcast features music by Modern Biology. Check out his work here:https:/
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