A Miami company that 3D-prints seawalls designed to support marine life has raised $10 million in new funding, a development that could benefit coastal communities such as Key Biscayne as they explore new shoreline protection strategies.
Kind Designs closed its pre-Series A funding round on Wednesday, July 16, according to Refresh Miami. The company initially sought to raise $5 million but doubled the amount after investor demand approached $20 million.
The funding round values Kind Designs at $70 million and brings the company's total funding to $21.5 million.
Returning investors include entrepreneur Mark Cuban and former Washington, D.C., Mayor Adrian Fenty. NBA player Kyle Kuzma joined the round as a new investor.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer Anya Freeman said the new capital will allow the company to expand manufacturing, hire additional engineers and pursue larger municipal and federal infrastructure projects.
"The technology is proven. The demand is here," Freeman said in the company's announcement. "Now it's about scaling a new generation of coastal infrastructure that protects America while making this country more beautiful."
Key Biscayne evaluating similar coastal technology
The funding comes as the Village of Key Biscayne considers using 3D-printed offshore structures to strengthen its shoreline.
According to the Islander News, Resiliency and Sustainability Chief Dr. Roland Samimy told village officials in June that the village is exploring an offshore reef study as part of its long-term coastal resilience efforts.
The Rickenbacker Corridor Shoreline Feasibility Assessment also held a public open house July 8 at Gramps Getaway, where planners and engineers updated residents on proposed shoreline improvements along the corridor.
Living seawalls designed to support marine ecosystems
Kind Designs' "Living Seawalls" use 3D-printed concrete panels with a biomimetic "Mangrove Root" design intended to mimic natural coastal habitats.
The textured surfaces create spaces where oysters, corals, fish and other marine organisms can attach and grow.
Testing conducted at the University of Miami's SUSTAIN Laboratory, led by Dr. Brian Haus, found the panels reduced wave reflection and near-bed turbulence compared with traditional vertical seawalls, which reflect most incoming wave energy.
Company already has projects in Miami-Dade
Kind Designs has already completed several projects in South Florida.
In December 2025, Miami Shores installed a Living Seawall along North Bayshore Drive between Northeast 94th and 97th streets, replacing aging infrastructure with panels that are 2 feet taller than the previous seawall.
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins has also announced that the county approved legislation streamlining seawall permitting. According to Higgins, construction on another Kind Designs project along Northeast 22nd Street on Biscayne Bay is expected to begin in April 2027.
The company also says Miami-Dade County has updated its seawall regulations to allow expedited permitting and environmental mitigation exemptions for its systems. According to Kind Designs, the state has directed the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to develop incentives encouraging the use of living seawalls statewide.
Company reports growing commercial demand
Kind Designs reported generating $1 million in revenue in 2025 and has secured $10 million in contracted revenue.
The company says its project pipeline totals approximately $175 million, including a $2 million U.S. Navy contract and installations at the Fontainebleau, Pagani and the Ritz-Carlton in Miami Beach.Community calendar
Sunday, July 19 — Vizcaya Village Market. Local vendors offer fresh produce, baked goods, hand-crafted items, and vegan products at Vizcaya's historic farm and village. 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., 3250 S. Miami Ave. Summer hours run through Sunday, Sept. 27.
Saturday, Aug. 15 — Free autism tennis workshop hosted by Love Serving Autism and USTA Florida at Crandon Park Tennis Center, Key Biscayne. 10 a.m. to noon. Space is limited; registration required.
