Summary:
Jake Adler, 21, demonstrated Pilgrim's Kingsfoil by cutting his own legs, leading to a $4.3M seed round
Investors include Peter Thiel's family office, Cantos VC, and Day One Ventures
Kingsfoil is a clay-based hemostatic dressing with potential military and civilian applications
Pilgrim is also developing Voyager and ARGUS for chemical threat neutralization and surveillance
Adler aims for Pilgrim to become a dual-use startup, serving both defense and commercial markets
Pilgrim's Bold Move: A Founder's Extreme Demo Secures Major Funding
Jake Adler, the 21-year-old founder of Pilgrim, a biotech startup focused on military and commercial medical devices, took an unconventional approach to showcase his flagship product, Kingsfoil—a hemostatic dressing. Adler filmed himself cutting open his thighs to demonstrate the product's effectiveness, a move that not only captured attention but also helped secure $4.3 million in seed funding from notable investors including Peter Thiel's family office, Cantos VC, and Day One Ventures.
The Demonstration That Turned Heads
Adler's video, which he assured was done safely and with prior notice to his mother, showed him using a punch biopsy tool to create precise wounds on his thighs. One wound was treated with Kingsfoil, which transformed into a gel-like consistency upon contact, effectively stalling bleeding, while the other served as a control. This daring act underscored Adler's commitment to his startup's mission: developing battlefield-ready biotech solutions.
Kingsfoil in both gauze and gel form. (Image: Pilgrim)
The Science Behind Kingsfoil
Named after the healing herb in The Lord of the Rings, Kingsfoil is a clay-based hemostatic designed to seal wounds, clot blood flow, and aid healing without known side effects beyond minor skin irritation. Adler's goal is to first cater to the Defense Department, whose needs he believes are ahead of civilian markets, before making the product available commercially.
Funding and Future Plans
The seed round was led by Cantos VC, with participation from Thiel Capital, Day One Ventures, and others. Pilgrim is also developing two additional products: Voyager, an inhaled mist to neutralize chemical threats, and ARGUS, a surveillance platform for detecting biological and chemical hazards.
Adler, a Thiel Fellow, envisions Pilgrim as a dual-use startup, bridging military and civilian applications. With Kingsfoil on an expedited pathway to FDA approval, Pilgrim aims to revolutionize wound care with its innovative solutions.
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