Corn Next, the California-based biobased material innovator, has announced two major milestones: the company has secured its first round of equity investment and officially selected Los Angeles as the site for its U.S. Integrated Demonstration Unit (IDU).

This initial funding marks a significant step forward in Corn Next’s mission to replace harmful single-use plastics with its proprietary, fully biodegradable material, Corn Next-17. The investment will support early-stage production, strategic hiring, and expansion of research partnerships.

“We are thrilled to have the support of forward-thinking investors who recognize both the environmental urgency and market potential of our technology,” said Randy Zhang, Founder and CEO of Corn Next. “This validation empowers us to accelerate our impact.”

Simultaneously, Corn Next has chosen Los Angeles as the home for its U.S.-based IDU, following extensive evaluation of locations across the country. The IDU will serve as a pilot manufacturing hub, testing facility, and collaboration space for future commercial scale-up.

“Our decision to anchor the IDU in Los Angeles reflects our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and proximity to global partners,” Zhang added. “This city offers the infrastructure and talent we need to bring our vision to life.”

Corn Next is best known for Corn Next-17, a starch-based material that naturally degrades within weeks without leaving behind microplastics or toxic residues. With the IDU in place, the company aims to demonstrate scalable production and attract additional partnerships in North America and beyond.

For more information, visit www.cornnext.com.