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May 14, 2026
U.K.-based biotech beauty startup Ruka has closed a $4.5 million funding round to scale its synthetic hair fiber technology.
Freedom Trail Capital and Henkel Ventures led the round, with participation from Big Issue Invest, Backed VC, and several strategic angel investors, including Olympic athlete Dina Asher-Smith, supply chain specialist Knut Alicke, and M&A expert Sophia Dennis.
The investment will help expand Ruka’s retail footprint, strengthen production, and support its planned 2026 expansion into the U.S.
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Ruka is Building a Synthetic Hair for Afro-Caribbean and Textured Hair
Founded by Tendai Moyo and Ugo Agbai during the 2020 lockdown, Ruka has positioned itself at the intersection of material science and the textured hair market. The brand offers a broad portfolio spanning human hair extensions, wigs, styling products, hair perfumes, and tools for Afro-Caribbean and textured hair.
Ruka is a UK-based beauty startup that uses biotech and sells directly to consumers. It connects materials science with hair care to address ethical sourcing issues and replace toxic plastic alternatives in the hair extensions market.
However, the latest investment will primarily support scaling Synths², a synthetic hair fiber developed using collagen-based technology. Traditional synthetic hair extensions rely on plastic polymers. Human hair faces ongoing transparency problems in its supply chain. Ruka’s fiber is biodegradable and hypoallergenic, and it mimics the look and feel of curls, coils, and kinks.
“Our community has always been at the center of everything we do,” said Moyo. “People shouldn’t have to choose between what looks good, what feels safe, and what aligns with their values. We’re building something that finally delivers on all three.”
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What The Investors Are Saying
Henkel Ventures, the venture arm behind Schwarzkopf and Got2b, shows strong corporate interest in the clean hair extensions category. “Ruka has developed a strong brand with a clear focus on its target consumer and a thoughtful approach to product development,” said Tobias Botenwerfer, Investment Principal at Henkel Ventures.
“The founders have demonstrated a clear vision and disciplined execution in building the business under challenging market conditions. We look forward to collaborating with the team and supporting them as they continue to develop the brand and explore future growth opportunities.”
For Freedom Trail Capital, the investment expands a portfolio focused on culturally driven consumer brands. “Ruka Hair exemplifies what we look for: founders solving a real problem with genuine commitment, building through community rather than hype,” said Samyr Laine, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Freedom Trail Capital.
“Tendai and Ugo built this brand during one of the most challenging periods for consumer businesses, scaled through an authentic community, and are now pioneering biotech innovation that could reshape an entire category.”
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The beauty industry faces growing scrutiny around sourcing, sustainability, and material transparency. Ruka’s collagen-based fiber technology points toward a future where the hair extensions market moves beyond ethically complex human hair sourcing and plastic-heavy synthetic alternatives.
This new fund brings Ruka’s total funding to date to approximately $10 million.
Main Image: Ugo Agbai (left) and Tendai Moyo (right), Co-founders, Ruka Hair. Image Credit: Ruka Hair
