INVERSA

INVERSA operates as a material science company with a unique, environmentally focused business model, positioning itself as a supplier of regenerative exotic leathers to the fashion industry. The company was founded in late 2020 by childhood friends and avid scuba divers Aarav Chavda, Roland Salatino, and Kahan Chavda. The founders' firsthand observations of coral reef devastation caused by invasive lionfish sparked the venture. Aarav Chavda, the CEO, has a background in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Princeton and previously worked as a business analyst at McKinsey & Company. COO Roland Salatino graduated from Harvard with a degree in East Asian Studies and a minor in Economics, while CCO Kahan Chavda holds a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis.

The core of INVERSA's business is transforming the skins of destructive, non-native species into high-quality leathers. This strategy addresses a significant ecological problem, as invasive species are responsible for approximately 60% of modern extinctions and cause billions in economic damages annually. The company's product portfolio includes leathers made from lionfish threatening Caribbean reefs, Burmese pythons in the Everglades, and dragonfin (Asian carp) in the Mississippi River Basin. By creating a commercial market for these species, INVERSA incentivizes their removal, thereby helping to restore ecological balance. The business model involves partnering with and training local fishers and hunters, often in rural or low-income communities, guaranteeing a buyer for their catch and providing new income streams.

INVERSA functions as a B2B supplier, selling its finished leathers to fashion and accessory brands, which then incorporate the material into their own product lines, such as shoes, wallets, and handbags. It has established partnerships with notable brands like Gabriela Hearst, Johanna Ortiz, and P448. The company has built a complex supply chain that sources hides from regions like Florida, the Caribbean, and Mexico. The tanning process is conducted in the U.S., with a focus on minimizing environmental impact, such as using significantly less water than traditional leather production. Having gone through Harvard's startup accelerator, the company has successfully raised $2.55 million from investors including Conservation International Ventures and The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Keywords: invasive species leather, regenerative materials, sustainable fashion, ecological restoration, exotic leathers, lionfish leather, python leather, dragonfin leather, biodiversity, circular economy, conservation, material science, ethical fashion, supply chain innovation, environmental impact, wildlife management, marine conservation, fashion technology, B2B materials, ecosystem healing