Kelpi is carrying out grant-funded innovation programs in preparation for the 2026 Series A funding round.
Kelpi
Bristol-based sustainable packaging provider Kelpi has announced a structure change which consists of Neil Morris, the founding CEO, moving up to non-Executive Chairman and Chief Commercial Officer Hugo Adams moving into the CEO role.
"Hugo and I have worked closely for a long time, and he's a brilliant leader to take Kelpi through the next chapter as we act upon regulatory approval to take our products into global markets," noted Morris who co-founded the start-up in 2020.
Additionally, Adams said: "Over the last two years I have successfully taken Kelpi to some of the world’s largest food and drink and personal care companies and have seen first-hand the fantastic response to our coating to paper and card that can finally match or even exceed the performance of fossil fuel plastics. We have a unique technology and industry-leading partners and I’m excited about taking our product to market."
Also, Kelpi has hired Dylan Ellis, who has more than 30 years of experience and currently is Coveris's Managing Director, as its new Non-Executive Director. Finally, co-founder and Finance Director, Murray Kenneth, is retiring from the business, so the company is looking for a new CFO.
Kelpi is carrying out grant-funded innovation programs in preparation for the 2026 Series A funding round. In this regard, Morris will work with Adams to focus on positioning artificial intelligence (AI) at the heart of its material development processes.
"Today is nearly 40 years since I set up my first company at the age of 23, so it will be a change not to be going to work as a CEO from now on. With a brilliant leader in Hugo ready to take Kelpi forward, I'm delighted to support him as non-Exec Chairman to ensure Kelpi's ongoing success," Morris added.
In 2024, the start-up secured £4.35 million in investment to expand business opportunities, increase the human factor, and carry out scale-up pilots to establish a market line. The funding was led by Blackfinch Ventures, with contributions from Green Angel Ventures, Kadmos Capital, QantX, Evenlode Foundation and the South West Investment Fund.
