3rd article about aerogel

MORE DETAIL ABOUT INVESTORS INVESTING IN A NON-PERFORMING PRODUCT- see my observations and opinions

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--OROS today announced $14.5 million in a Series A funding round led by Elizabeth Street Ventures and Enlightenment Capital. Also participating in the financing are leading visionary and entrepreneur Thomas Tull, the Chairman of Snap Inc. Michael Lynton, and Brandon Shainfeld, among others. Equal parts materials technology company and performance apparel brand, OROS is using first-to-market insulation technology to transform advanced thermal materials into technical fabrics. The company’s emerging technology will usher in a new era for the $13 billion outerwear industry.

Oros is not only the first company to offer outerwear with this so called by oros insulation, but also probably the only one. it is a bogus thermal material and it will not change anything in the outerwear industry. All of the investors in my opinion are in for a surprise they will probably not like.

OROS has made it its mission to evolve the science of staying warm. Their bold vision for outerwear apparel’s potential led them to leverage aerogel technology to create their patented SOLARCORE® insulation in 2015. SOLARCORE® protects against extreme environments. Instead of the bulky layers typically associated with the warmest outerwear, OROS aims to create streamlined silhouettes that keep you warm in below freezing temperatures.

“Evolve the science of staying warm”, how have they done that? They are going to have a “bold vision for outerwear apparel’s potential”. What is the potential, “to create streamlined silhouettes that keep you warm in below freezing temperatures”. Of course, they have zero knowledge that in the late 60’s and early 70’s a company in Chicago came out with the newest and greatest insulation that allowed for a streamlined silhouette in fashion able outerwear called polyslim. After I think 2 years on the market buyers of garments with polyslim went back to the Michelin man look. So much for the streamlined look in outerwear used in below freezing temperatures.

The brand’s scientific methods and countless iterations have resulted in an engineering feat – the invention of a new, lightweight insulated material launching in 2022. The material, which will debut in a new performance apparel collection, incorporates a suite of patents and exclusive rights to underlying NASA IP.

“An engineering feat”? I am writing this in September 2023 and I have yet to learn about let alone see this new invention of a “lightweight insulated material”. It does not exist except in their minds.

The recent capital raised will allow OROS to further refine the new material, create new apparel products, and invest in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in the U.S. OROS’ proprietary technology has never been manufactured in this particular form before, which is why it’s crucial the brand produces the material themselves. The new manufacturing facility outside Boston, Massachusetts will allow them to convert recycled fiber into a novel thermal performance fiber, bringing to life a collection of garments using 3D engineered knitting. The domestic manufacturing line will also enable OROS to customize machinery, equipment, and engineering processes, while consolidating the supply chain in order to effectively and sustainably scale production.

I have a suspicion that they may be making a composite of recycled polyester fiber and their aerogel. I have seen the aerogel material and as you could see in the picture, I posted it is comprised of tiny and I mean tiny what looks like fibers. So, in order to use it these fibers? need a carrier. The end product will most likely look like primaloft which looks like any polyester fiberfill on the market.

I don’t understand what they mean when they say ”novel thermal performance fiber”. Doesn’t matter because the end result will not be an acceptable insulation.

They will need all of this money to manufacture the machinery to make whatever it is they want to make.

“Since day one, OROS has endeavored to transform insulated apparel, using only the best materials and technologies – some of which have been developed with exclusive access to NASA IP and have been used for their most demanding applications in space,” said Jeff Nash, Chief Technology Officer and VP of Product at OROS. “I’ve been in the industry for decades, and OROS is completely doing things differently. I strongly believe we’re on the cusp of something groundbreaking: recreating the category of insulated products for the industry.”

What ever NASA has done in space with oros stuff if they have had no bearing what goes on, on earth. Oros is not going to transform insulated apparel. What ever they make with what they call insulation will be effective in Key West FL.

I have never heard of this fellow nash and believe they are not on the “cusp” of something groundbreaking in recreating the category of insulated products for the industry. Maybe he means the space industry or is he “spacey”.

In addition to the Series A round, OROS is also announcing Rachael Ulman’s appointment to the board of directors. Ulman, who has spent 20+ years in digital retail, is a Venture Partner at Elizabeth Street Ventures and the Founder and CEO of 27 Edge, a boutique retail and consumer consulting agency.

But does rachael know anything about insulation, of course not, why should she no one else at oros does.

“Since meeting OROS’ founders, Michael Markesbery and Rithvik Venna, several years ago, I’ve been amazed by the potential of their advanced materials science technology for the apparel and accessories market, but also for the broader insulation industry,” said Ulman. “I’m thrilled to be joining the OROS Board, and to continue on this journey with them.”

Racheal is very impressionable and easily convinced of the impossible.

In addition, industry veteran Hap Klopp serves as board observer. Klopp is best known for acquiring The North Face in 1968 and turning it into a global apparel business that he ran for 20 years.

Hap had nothing to do with the growth of north face. They were in financial trouble as I recall and he sold the company to Bill Simon who put them on the stock market and sold them to VF Corp who made them a worldwide name.

“What energizes me about OROS is its unique approach to building products,” said Klopp. “OROS is not imbued with the same beliefs that traditional outdoor companies hold, such as the idea that thicker outerwear means better outerwear. OROS has shifted the paradigm, owning an entirely new concept in which thinness can be equated with warmth. The brand’s ability to take an existing idea and flip it on its head is what excites me most about working with them.”

“Thinness can be equated with warmth.” Hap probably lives in CA and delves into what is now legal. All of what he has said is meaningless.

About OROS

OROS is a team of experimenters, visionaries, and craftspeople united by a shared vision of a future forged from relentless curiosity and innovation. The OROS founders bring a unique scientific perspective to the outerwear industry. As comfortable in a research lab as they are on the side of a mountain, they leverage emerging NASA technology to develop advanced thermal materials and high performance, low impact apparel that equips humans to experience our world unencumbered.

You do not want to experience their world because in their world if it is cold and you are wearing outerwear, they have made you too will be cold.

I have out lived almost all active members of the outdoor industry and my memory is as sharp today as ever.

I did try to contact the Air Force Research Laboratory. Good luck finding a phone number or an e mail address to someone of importance.