From Spider-Man to Spidey Tek: How Roberto Velozzi is Spinning the Future of Sustainable Materials

What if Spider-Man’s web were real? For Roberto Velozzi, founder and CEO of Spidey Tek, that question turned into a lifelong pursuit, and eventually, a business. What you’ll discover today… (02:10) The “aha moment” that turned science fiction into science fact (05:00) Early adopters and investors who believed before mass production (06:30) Scaling spider silk using an alfalfa-based production platform (11:40) Partnerships, fundraising, and the $5 million scale-up plan (18:00) The power of building the right team and leadership under pressure (18:50) Refugee roots, resilience, and redefining what “hard” really means (19:50) Advice for scientists and engineers building hard-tech startups (23:30) The five-floor elevator pitch that sums up Spidey Tek’s trillion-dollar potential More about the episode Originally from El Salvador, Roberto’s journey from comic-book fan to biotech innovator has been anything but ordinary. After decades of research, his team discovered how to produce spider silk proteins at scale—creating a material that’s stronger than steel, lighter than carbon fiber, and completely biodegradable. In this episode, Roberto shares how Spidey Tek went from lab experiment to a company attracting attention from aerospace giants, automotive manufacturers, and materials science firms across the world. With a production model built on alfalfa plants and partnerships that remove traditional manufacturing barriers, Spidey Tek stands at the edge of a sustainable-materials revolution. If you’re an investor, innovator, or anyone fascinated by nature-inspired technology, this conversation is a masterclass in turning impossible science into scalable impact. Connect with us Peng-Sang Cau LinkedIn Website Roberto Velozzi LinkedIn