The Innovative Artists: Turning a Class Project Into a Sustainable Paint Startup

What if paint could be made in a cleaner way, one that is safer for the environment and still full of colour? That simple question led two students to build MicroHues, a startup they never planned for.

Adrianna Sasser and Karly Butts, students at Missouri University of Science and Technology, are the founders of MicroHues, a startup creating sustainable paint from microalgae and cyanobacteria. Their goal is simple: to produce paint in a way that causes less harm to the environment.

Interestingly, the idea did not begin as a business.

From Classroom Project to a Startup Idea

The two students first worked on the idea during a biology and innovation design class where students were expected to turn ideas into possible businesses through research, testing, and interviews.

At first, it was just another class assignment. “We figured, why not?” Sasser said after seeing the idea begin to take shape.

Both students already loved art and science. Sasser worked with algae, while Butts studied freshwater ecology. Since they also cared deeply about pollution in rivers and water systems, they began asking an important question: could natural materials replace traditional paint pigments? That question became the foundation for MicroHues.

Solving a Bigger Environmental Problem

The problem they wanted to solve was bigger than art. Traditional paints can contribute to environmental pollution, especially microplastics entering oceans and waterways. During their research, the students also found that many artists were worried about the environmental cost of the materials they used.

Instead of stopping at the idea stage, the students built prototypes and started speaking with artists to understand what people actually wanted.

The response surprised them. Artists showed strong interest in cleaner, safer paints. That feedback gave the founders confidence to keep building.

Soon, the project stopped feeling like homework and started feeling like a real startup.

The Turning Point 

MicroHues later won first place in their university’s Startup Challenge, receiving funding to continue development. The founders also secured additional support through grants and entrepreneurship programmes.

Still, they say the journey is far from over. The startup is still in its research stage, and the founders are focused on improving the product while getting feedback from artists before wider production.

What To Learn from the Founders of  MicroHues

Their story shows something many student founders often forget: big businesses do not always start with a grand plan. Sometimes, they begin in a classroom. Sometimes, they begin with curiosity.

This is evidence that a simple school project can become the first step toward solving a real-world problem.