PittMoss® started as a humble kitchen experiment in 1994 and quickly evolved into founder, Mont Handley's, passionate, lifelong project. Soon after graduating from the kitchen to the garage, PittMoss® secured an EPA SBIR grant. This funded critical growth trials, providing the scientific evidence and the foundation for PittMoss® patents.
Between 2012 and 2015, PittMoss® went through a proof of concept phase in garages and small greenhouses on nights and weekends. With a perfected formula that replaced traditional growing substrates 100% in many crop trials, PittMoss® sparked the interest of Pittsburgh’s Idea Foundry, an incubator and early stage funder of entrepreneurial businesses. With a little “seed” money and professional mentoring and access to some much-needed resources, PittMoss LLC was on its way.
In 2015, PittMoss® was introduced to investors on Shark Tank where Mont Handley convinced three of the "sharks" to invest in his company. PittMoss Organic Soil amendments and soil have revolutionized the soil industry. Made from Newspaper (cellulosic fiber) and a little PittMoss Magic this revolutionary media is changing gardens for good. PittMoss outperforms top soil mixes for best growing results.
Today, PittMoss® has a full line of retail products as well as commercial products for greenhouses and nurseries, with plans to grow!