Beauty / article
Ruka Hair Raises $4.5M to Develop Collagen-Based Hair Extensions
London-based Ruka Hair has raised $4.5 million in funding to develop collagen-based biomaterials for textured hair extensions, aiming to modernize the fragmented global wigs and extensions market.
Ruka Hair, co-founded by Tendai Moyo, has evolved from a textured hair extensions brand into what investors now describe as a beauty biotech company. The startup is focusing on material science and ethical sourcing to overhaul the hair industry.
The company recently secured an additional $4.5 million in a funding round led by Henkel Ventures and Freedom Trail Capital, bringing total funding close to $10 million. The investment signals growing confidence in hair technology as a legitimate innovation frontier within beauty.
The global wigs and extensions market, projected to surpass $31 billion, has historically been characterized by fragmented supply chains, underregulated manufacturing, and informal resale networks. Ruka aims to address these issues with science-driven solutions.
At the core of Ruka's expansion is patent-pending fiber innovation using collagen-based biomaterials. Moyo has compared the company's approach to Apple's consumer technology philosophy, emphasizing ease of use and seamless integration into daily life.
With its latest funding, Ruka plans to scale its operations and continue developing high-tech hair products that combine ethical sourcing with advanced materials, potentially reshaping a category long underestimated by traditional beauty retail.