At ITMA 2023, 15 start-ups were selected to present their technologies to manufacturers, brands, investors and technology partners from across the global textile value chain. Several of these companies have since achieved significant commercial and industrial progress.

Among them is COLOURizd, developer of the QuantumCOLOUR™ dyeing technology. Following its participation at ITMA 2023, the company expanded mill trials, secured new partnerships and accelerated industrial-scale evaluations. According to CEO Jennifer Thompson, the exhibition created direct access to decision-makers and resulted in more than 300 relevant industry contacts.

Another participant, sewts, secured a €7 million Series A financing round shortly after the exhibition. The Munich-based company develops AI-supported robotic systems for textile handling processes in industrial laundries, targeting one of the last largely manual areas within automated laundry operations.

Meanwhile, Swiss traceability specialist Haelixa continued scaling its DNA-based fibre tracing technology and secured additional funding in early 2026. The company also achieved industrial integration through cooperation with Barmag, now part of the Rieter Group, embedding traceability directly into fibre production processes.

The examples underline how Start-Up Valley has evolved beyond a pure showcase format into a platform supporting industrial validation, investment and market entry for emerging textile technologies.

For ITMA 2027, 20 selected start-ups will receive a subsidised exhibition package including pavilion exposure, international visibility and direct access to global textile industry stakeholders.

The programme targets companies working in areas such as advanced materials, automation, digitalisation and sustainability.

Apply for Start-Up Valley at ITMA 2027