Make your science start up

The science was the hard part. So is building what's next. We help you do it like you've done it before.

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Yarn on the creel of a warping mill at Renaissance Fiber Printed report designed for AB4S
Close-up of an Ocean Made molded kelp pot
Keel Labs
Ocean Made
Return to Vendor
Entropy Labs
Lillian Augusta
Macro Oceans
Vyld
Fun Stuff Design
Grow NYC
BFDA
Pow Bio
Keel Labs
Ocean Made
Return to Vendor
Entropy Labs
Lillian Augusta
Macro Oceans
Vyld
Fun Stuff Design
Grow NYC
BFDA
Pow Bio

What We Do

From Invention to Scaleup.

A co-builder for science founders. Building companies around breakthroughs. The product, the story, the pitch, plus operational support. Not a consultant who hands you a deck. A partner who helps you go from 0 to 1 like you've done it before.

Proof Points

A seed round raised with no VC outreach

Algiknit (aka Keel Labs)

Developed concept shoe prototype that attracted viral organic press and interest from global brands and investors.

Read the announcement: AlleyWatch (opens in new tab)
AlgiKnit / AlgiKicks material process
© Aaron Nesser

A better product using a custom material

Ocean Made w/ Fun Stuff Design

New product developed & launched with superior performance, better sustainability, and cost parity.

Read the case study: Medium (opens in new tab)
Close-up of an Ocean Made molded kelp pot
© Ocean Made

11 days to term sheet with world class investors

Return to Vendor

Rebuilt pitch narrative, key introductions, and managed successful series-seed fundraising campaign.

Read more: Fast Company (opens in new tab)
Sherpa hoodie made from RTV circular Nylon
© Return to Vendor

Problems We Solve

Discover

Discover & develop materials and ingredients for your next product

Design

Build your start-up's identity into an efficient and fundable brand

Build

Build v1 of your dream product and use it to tell your story

Fund

Hone your pitch into an irresistible offer for your dream investors

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions?

Question not answered here? Send me a message. The first conversation is always free.

How are you different from a consultant?
Consultants tend to give recommendations but don't follow through with action. We find the answers and do the work, operating more like a partner or co-builder, doing the work to find and refine your voice, identity, and product. We build a plan, then we provide the operational support to execute on it. An extension of your team rather than an outside opinion. Most engagements are ongoing rather than a single deliverable, because the challenges of building a new business don't resolve in a single piece of advice.
Who do you work with?
Early-stage founders and innovation teams, usually under ten people, generally building physical from bio-based and circular materials: synthetic biology, biomanufacturing, and materials, but also ranging to textiles, AI, CPG and med-tech. Sometimes R&D teams inside larger companies, and accelerator cohorts. The common thread? A real scientific or material advance that hasn't yet become a product.
How do engagements usually work?
Three shapes: [1] Retained operating support — ongoing work across fundraising, press, design, and product development for a fixed monthly rate. [2] Website, brand, and product development work, scoped as a contained project. [3] micro engagements for material surveys, pitch reviews, and strategic advice where you have a clear question to answer. Every engagement gets shaped around the company — No fixed packages — so you don't pay for anything you don't need.
Do you only work with materials companies?
No, though it's where I've spent the most time. Starting in 2016 I built a novel textile fiber from a grad-school project to a Series-A startup, and much of the work since has been in materials. The fluency transfers across most deep science: the hard part is usually translating a technology into something that can move a buyer or an investor to action. The challenges are very similar across sectors.

As Seen In

CBS News
Observer
Green Queen
Synbiobeta
Prattfolio
Textile World
Simons
BKMAG
Hort Daily
CBS News
Observer
Green Queen
Synbiobeta
Prattfolio
Textile World
Simons
BKMAG
Hort Daily

Nice Things People Say

"Aaron has a unique ability to polish a team and their pitch into a WOW moment for every audience."
William Calvert
WC
William Calvert CEO, Return to Vendor
"Aaron's advice put us on the path towards an amazing product."
Jannice Newson
JN
Jannice Newson CEO, Lillian Augusta
"Aaron Nesser brings a rare combination of strategic clarity and grounded, honest counsel. He’s been a professional, fair, and steady consigliere whose advice has meaningfully moved our company forward by helping us re-frame how we communicate with investors and brands and by identifying opportunities in challenging moments."
Daniel Yohannes
DY
Daniel Yohannes CEO, Renaissance Fiber
"I have genuinely enjoyed the engagement with Aaron, and I recognize in him a fellow traveler, somebody who actually does know what he's talking about."
Bruce Maxwell
BM
Bruce Maxwell Fractional CFO, Maxwell Consulting
"Aaron has an exceptional ability to eliminate the noise. His feedback is clear, actionable, and has profoundly transformed how I approach my work, communicate about it, and prioritize my efforts. He possesses an incredible instinct for momentum, positioning, and identifying what truly matters. Exceptional ROI on our work together."
Nikolaus Mackey
NM
Nikolaus Mackey CEO, Entropy Labs

Let's Talk

Ready to build?

Tell me about where you are and where you want to go. First conversation is always free.