Marina Belintani

Marina Belintani is a specialist in new materials R&D, holding a Master’s in Textiles from the Royal College of Art and a specialisation in Industrial Sustainability from MIT. With over eight years of experience in textile innovation, bioeconomy, and biomaterials, she leads the deeptech startup MABE Bio as co-founder and CEO. Her work combines design-driven research, ancestral knowledge, and science to explore plant-based biomass and develop sustainable materials, colours, and finishes. Marina’s leadership has been recognised with the 2025 UK Alumni Award for Science & Sustainability, and she joined the Bloomberg New Economy Catalysts community in 2023.

Her innovation tackles the environmental and social impacts of conventional leather by creating a fully plant-based alternative derived from native Brazilian biomass. Beyond developing a low-impact material, the solution includes a production model that can support forest restoration projects and generate income for rural families. This approach strengthens local bioeconomies, promotes sustainable land stewardship, and offers a scalable, ethical alternative to traditional leather for the global fashion industry.