The fashion and textile industry is at a turning point.

• First, it is one of the most polluting due to its use of chemicals (polyester, dyes, etc.), large amounts of water, long-distance logistics, and waste (defective products and unsold inventory that ends up burnt or in landfills.
• The Covid-19 pandemic put pressure on both retail and supply chains.
• In this episode, we talk with Alex Chan, Co-Director of The Mills Fabrica about the industry’s growing appetite for innovation.

This podcast is hosted by Benjamin Joffe (@benjaminjoffe), Partner at SOSV, a global early stage fund focused on deep tech. SOSV runs multiple accelerator programs including HAX (intelligent hardware) and IndieBio (life sciences).

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OVERVIEW

In this conversation, we talk about:

• The growing interest of the fashion and textile industry for deep tech to improve productivity, reduce its environmental impact, and build more resilient supply chains.
• Examples of solutions for digital fabrication, on-demand and local production (including 3D printing).
• New and sustainable biomaterials,
• Technologies for defect prevention or waste recycling.
• Finally, we discuss strategies and resources for startups to successfully engage with the apparel industry.

REFERENCES MENTIONED

Startups

Disclosure: SOSV, TheMills and Nan Fung portfolio companies are marked. The Mills Fabrica is an LP in SOSV IV.

• Algalife (The Mills): Textile pigments and fibers from algae — TheMills.
• AlgniKnit: algae-derived, biodegradable yarns and textiles — SOSV.
• Bolt Threads: Sustainable Fashion Biomaterials and Fabrics — Nan Fung.
• Evrnu: Novel engineered fiber made from discarded clothing — TheMills
• Huue (fka Tinctorium): Sustainable, petroleum-free indigo dyes — SOSV, TheMills.
• Kniterate: digital desktop knitting machine — SOSV.
• Mango Materials: Biopolymers from methane — TheMills
• MycoWorks: Mushroom-based leather — SOSV.
• Presso: Dry-cleaning and disinfection robot — SOSV.
• Renewcell: Technology for fabric recycling — TheMills
• SmarTex: Real-time defect detection for textile production — SOSV.
• Unspun: On-demand, custom jeans from 3D body scans — SOSV, TheMills.

Other References

• Fashion for Good (Amsterdam): Platform for sustainable fashion innovation
• Global Change Award: Back by the non-profit H&M Foundation to make the entire fashion industry circular.
• Shima Seiki: A global leader in knitting machines.
• Techstyle Innovations: Report by TheMills Fabrica.
• Covid-19: Reconstructing the Apparel Value Chain: Report by TheMills Fabrica.

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RESOURCES ON DEEP TECH

• DeepTech Investing Report by Different
• The Dawn of the Deep Tech Ecosystem by Hello Tomorrow and BCG
• Deep Tech Investors Mapping by Hello Tomorrow
• Deep Tech Trends Report, Hardware Trends Reports and Hardware Investment Outlook by SOSV