Our Mission
Our mission is to drive sustainability by creating high-performance, eco-friendly alternatives to traditional and synthetic leather. We are committed to transforming the leather industry with innovative biomaterials that drastically reduce environmental impact while preserving the durability, functionality, and aesthetic excellence consumers expect.





Water Pollution & Overconsumption
Our revolutionizing materials with a clean, water-light process—creating premium leather alternatives without harming people or the planet.




Air Pollution &
Untapped Agricultural Waste
We transform this waste into wonder—using agricultural residue to grow sustainable mycelium leather, turning pollution into purpose.




The Leather Industry’s Environmental Toll
Mico is pioneering a future where leather is grown, not killed—our mycelium-based material is 100% cruelty-free, biodegradable, and planet-positive.

About Mico
Say goodbye to traditional leather. Say hello to Mico.
At Mico, we’re not just creating a new material—we’re building a better future. Our mycelium-based leather is made from the root-like structures of mushrooms, grown naturally and sustainably to give you a product that’s as kind to the planet as it is luxurious to the touch.
Traditional leather comes at a cost: deforestation, toxic chemicals, and animal cruelty. Synthetic leather? It’s often just plastic in disguise—non-biodegradable and harmful to the environment. We knew there had to be a better way.
That’s why we turned to nature. Using cutting-edge biotechnology, we grow our leather from mycelium—no animals, no plastics, no pollution. Just a clean, eco-friendly process that produces a material that’s soft, strong, and designed to last.
Whether it’s a handbag, a car seat, or a pair of sleek sneakers, Mico leather looks and feels like the real thing—only better. It’s breathable, flexible, and fully customizable—perfect for conscious consumers who want style without compromise.
You don’t have to choose between sustainability and sophistication. With Mico, you get both.
Make the switch. Support nature. Choose innovation. Wear the future.
Mico—grown by nature, designed for you.

We started MICO not just to build sustainable materials — but to reconnect people with nature. What began as a humble experiment in a lab is now a growing movement powered by science, fungi, and a shared vision.
Arpit Mangal
Planet-Positive Leather
Mycelium-based, chemical-free, fast-composting, and ultra-low emission alternative to animal leather

Ethical Evolution
No animals, no plastic — just a responsible material for mindful lifestyles.

Waste to Worth
Made from agricultural residue, uplifting farmers and redefining sustainable fashion.





Our Team
At Mico, we are a group of passionate engineers and designers, backed by professors from leading IITs, who’ve embarked on an exciting journey into the world of mycelium-based leather. Our mission is to develop sustainable, biodegradable alternatives to conventional leather, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in material science and eco-conscious fashion.

Founder & CEO
Arpit, a sustainability-focused engineer and entrepreneur with 3 years of product leadership at uBreathe, aims to make sustainability the norm.

Company Lead
Young Industrial Designer Vaibhav, startup experience. Explored ventures, holds 4 design registrations, and started sustainable lifestyle brand MICO.

Scientific Advisor
Ph.D. researcher Sharfaa, Specializes in air quality, ecotoxicology, biomonitoring, and atmospheric heavy metal analysis, aiming for NET ZERO solutions.

Scientific Advisor
Associate Professor at IIT Ropar Expertise in the multiscale behavior of composite materials, offering support in Tech development & product testing.

Scientific Advisor
Dr. Vivek Jaiswal, Professor at PDEU, specializes in nanomaterials, catalysis, and sustainable energy with a Ph.D. from IIT Ropar.

Scientific Advisor
Dr. Vivek Jaiswal, Professor at PDEU, specializes in nanomaterials, catalysis, and sustainable energy with a Ph.D. from IIT Ropar.

Advisor
Dr. Vivek Jaiswal, Professor at PDEU, specializes in nanomaterials, catalysis, and sustainable energy with a Ph.D. from IIT Ropar.
Our Impact
From Waste to Wardrobe — And Back to Soil

Fully Circular

Lower Emissions

Safe Tanning

Biobased
Meet the Team
At Mico, we are a group of passionate engineers and designers, backed by professors from leading IITs, who’ve embarked on an exciting journey into the world of mycelium-based leather. Our mission is to develop sustainable, biodegradable alternatives to conventional leather, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in material science and eco-conscious fashion.
R&D Showcase
View real lab and experiment images that build our credibility in the field of sustainable materials.

Spore to Start: Culturing Mycelium
Mycelium begins its growth journey in a petri dish under sterile conditions.

Thick layers of mycelium form naturally over time.
Dense Growth

Supporting the growth of mycelium mats — turning farm residues into future material.
Mycelium Mat

Refined Mycelium Material
Post-processing transforms raw mycelium into flexible, leather-like sheets.
Awards and Recognitions
























SHASTRI CONFERENCE
Shastri Indo-Canadian Conference 2025 at IIT Ropar focused on fostering global collaboration in sustainable innovation, especially in areas of applied science and material research. We participated through both poster and oral presentations, showcasing our work on mycelium-based leather. Our oral presentation was recognized with an award, highlighting our R&D journey from culture selection to eco-friendly material development.
PIWOT CONFERENCE
The PIWOT Conference at IIT Ropar brought together researchers, startups, and technologists to explore advances in deep-tech and innovation. We presented our end-to-end R&D process — from fungal culture and substrate formulation to the creation of final mycelium-based leather material — demonstrating MICO’s contribution to sustainable material innovation.
