News

2026.05.10. Festum Varadinum
Roundtable Discussion: Of course there is hope

How can the latest biomaterial innovation, the rebuilding of local economies, permaculture thinking and traditional knowledge be connected? The participants of the discussion come from different fields, yet they are concerned with the same question: finding common ground between innovation and tradition, and finding tangible solutions to shape a more livable future.

-Gergely Kiss, mushroom leather developer, Fraxinea
-Mónika Olívia Henn, sociologist, kraftivist (ekoMoka) and organizer of Lokál eco-market
-Sara Meaker and Douglas McFarlane, Kalotaszeg sustainability activists, Târnaț Kalotaszeg Durabil
-Olivér Illés, Permaculture and Forest Garden designer
-Róbert Balog, permaculture gardener
-Moderator: Boglárka Vajda, program manager, Collegium Varadinum

2026.04.19. IV. Green Festival Vác, Presentation on mycelium as the material of our future

At the Green Festival in Vác, Fraxinea presented mycelium as a promising material for a more sustainable future. The presentation also introduced Fraxinea’s broader vision of developing materials that work with natural processes rather than relying on finite, petroleum-based resources. We shared our approach to combining biological processes, natural fibres, and material innovation to create functional alternatives for everyday applications.

2026. Greendex Holnapután Podcast

"The search for alternative raw materials that can meet the needs of industry and consumers without causing environmental pollution and with the smallest possible footprint is becoming increasingly urgent. From a sustainability perspective, fossil-based plastics are outdated, yet they still flood everything. Perhaps a Hungarian startup, Fraxinea, which deals with mushroom filaments, will be able to change this. They promise to create durable, hard-wearing, safe and, last but not least, compostable materials using only natural ingredients. I spoke with the company's co-founder, Emese Takács." - Zsombor Novák

2025.05. IV. Climate Hero Conference - UNICEF Hungary

A roundtable discussion on the materials of the future. Why and how are mushrooms coming in the picture?

Participants:
András Geösel: Phd horticultural engineer, associate professor

Gergely Kiss: Co-founder of Fraxinea

Benedek Vázsonyi: Young Ambassador, UNICEF Hungary

2024. ELLE, newspaper appearance

Following our success at the EDIDA Awards, Fraxinea was featured in ELLE, bringing our work with mycelium-based materials to a wider audience. The feature highlighted our approach to material innovation and the growing recognition of nature-based alternatives within the design world.

2024. EDIDA- ELLE Decoration International Design Awards
-Sustainable Initiative of the Year

One of the most unique initiatives of this year was awarded by the audience in the Sustainable Initiative of the Year category with the SymbioMatT yoga mat, developed by Emese Takács, Gergely Kiss and Róbert Pad from mushrooms and plant fibers, and manufactured by Fraxinea.

2024.10. Climate Change Summit, Bucharest, Romania

- Central and Eastern Europe category winner of the year.

"Climate Change Summit awards aims to identify, feature, and reward the best sustainability ideas in the region. It’s time for practical solutions to take center stage."

"Climate Change Summit awards aims to identify, feature, and reward the best sustainability ideas in the region. It’s time for practical solutions to take center stage."

Creative Busines Cup Copenhagen

After the Budapest based Creative Business Day, Fraxinea got the chance to represent Hungary in the global event.

The Creative Business Cup Global Finals 2024 took place on June 3rd at the beautiful and historic Copenhagen City Hall, gathering startups, investors, speakers, ambassadors and creative leaders from around the world for a day full of inspiration, innovation, and meaningful networking.

Out of 47 countries, Fraxinea was in the top 12.

2024 Brain Bar Presentation and podcast

"Our guest this time is Emese Takács, one of the founders of Fraxinea, who grows different kind of tinder fungus in Petri dishes with her team to make a leather alternative for bags and furniture. Emese talked about the problem with leather, the methods used to obtain it, why, despite all misconceptions, a team is needed for the business, and what an experience it was for her to appear on Shark Tank Hungary. " - Márton Baranyi

Listen to the podcast now.

Shark Tank Hungary and Raiffeisen Preis

Fraxinea was awarded the Raiffeisen Special Award during its appearance on the Hungarian Shark Tank. The recognition highlighted the potential of our innovative approach to mycelium-based materials and provided an important milestone in Fraxinea’s development.