ITMA Start-Up Valley Drives Textile Innovation Success Stories
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At ITMA 2023, a total of 15 start-ups were selected under the CEMATEX Start-Up Grant and showcased their innovations at Start-Up Valley—an exclusive platform designed to connect new innovators with the global textile and garment manufacturing ecosystem.
For these early-stage companies, participation extended well beyond visibility at the exhibition. It enabled direct engagement with manufacturers, brands, investors, and technology partners across the textile value chain, significantly accelerating their transition from innovation to real-world adoption.
A notable example highlights how quickly such exposure can translate into tangible outcomes. As part of its Spring 2026 collection, Balenciaga introduced the world’s first 3D woven tailored suit—marking a breakthrough in software-driven textile manufacturing.
This innovation was developed in collaboration with WEFFAN, a participant from Start-Up Valley at ITMA 2023. The achievement underscores how early-stage technologies, when supported by the right platform and industry access, can rapidly scale to commercial adoption—even within leading global fashion houses.
For start-ups aiming to convert innovation into market-ready solutions, this serves as a compelling example of the impact of engaging directly with the global textile ecosystem.
From Start-Up Exposure to Global Collaboration
Applications for Start-Up Valley at ITMA 2027 are now open, continuing the initiative’s mission to connect emerging innovators with industry leaders.
One company that gained significant momentum after ITMA 2023 is TreeToTextile, a Sweden-based firm developing next-generation regenerated cellulose fibres.
“ITMA’s Start-Up Valley was the perfect place to begin our commercialisation journey,” says Nina Ekstrand, Head of Marketing and Communication at TreeToTextile. “We were overwhelmed by the strong interest in our fibres from brands and partners across the value chain. We continue to reap the benefits from the experience as we scale the production of our next-generation cellulose fibre.”
Following its participation, the Stockholm-based company experienced rapid growth. Its ITMA debut coincided with the launch of a €35 million demonstration plant at Stora Enso’s Nymölla mill in southern Sweden, with an initial production capacity of 1,500 tons annually.
Momentum continued into 2026 when Lenzing acquired a controlling stake in TreeToTextile, reinforcing confidence in the company’s scalability and technology. Plans are now underway to expand production at the Nymölla facility and develop a full-scale industrial plant.
“Innovation at industrial scale requires time, expertise and strong partnerships,” says TreeToTextile CEO Roxana Barbieru. “Lenzing’s increased ownership is a clear endorsement of our ambition to become a major player in the global fibre market.”
Driving Commercial Growth: Noosa
Another Start-Up Valley participant, Noosa, is advancing circular PLA (polylactic acid) fibres through its proprietary recycling process.
“We had an amazing first experience at ITMA 2023 and were very impressed by the number of visitors from across the globe,” says Noosa CEO Luna Aslan. “It created opportunities with a lot of companies in different sectors and different parts of the world. I definitely consider it as the rendezvous for the textile industry and am looking forward to being at the 2027 exhibition.”
Since then, Noosa has scaled its production capacity to 6,000 tonnes annually and broadened its portfolio to include staple fibres, filaments, spun yarns, fabrics, and finished products. The company is also exploring new applications such as performance wear and alternatives to petroleum-based materials—demonstrating how industry exposure can drive both product innovation and market expansion.
Industry Engagement and Validation: WEFFAN
For many start-ups, the most immediate benefit of Start-Up Valley lies in direct industry interaction. For WEFFAN, this resulted in meaningful discussions with investors and manufacturing partners worldwide.
“We met many potential investors and manufacturing partners at Start-Up Valley, which led to a memorable sourcing trip to Japan,” says founder Graysha Audren. “Taking part gave us the international reach and recognition that we wouldn’t have had otherwise. The conversations are still ongoing.”
Such engagements—from technical collaborations to strategic partnerships—play a vital role in validating technologies, refining solutions, and identifying commercialization pathways.
WEFFAN’s 3D weaving process has now been successfully validated at a commercial scale with support from Kering’s Material Innovation Lab. Its 3D woven garments, including jackets and trousers, are now available in select Balenciaga stores worldwide.
A Platform for Growth and Industry Integration
Start-Up Valley offers selected participants several key benefits, including:
- Fully subsidised exhibition stands
- Dedicated pavilion exposure
- Global marketing visibility
- Direct access to industry leaders across the value chain
For start-ups focused on advanced materials, automation, digitalisation, or sustainability, the platform provides a unique opportunity to gain validation, build partnerships, and accelerate growth.
“For many of the companies selected for Start-Up Valley in Milan, the showcase proved far more than just an exhibition platform,” says CEMATEX President Alex Zucchi. “It provided a catalyst for partnerships, investment and industrial development that continues to shape their trajectories.
“This ongoing momentum highlights the role of ITMA not only as a marketplace for machinery, but also as a launchpad for emerging technologies and materials that will define the future of textiles.”
Looking Ahead to ITMA 2027
Building on the success of the 2023 edition, Start-Up Valley at ITMA 2027 will offer a new generation of innovators the chance to connect directly with the global textile manufacturing ecosystem.
Only 20 start-ups will be selected to receive the CEMATEX Start-Up Grant, reinforcing the platform’s exclusivity and impact.
The initiative continues to position itself as a critical launchpad for breakthrough technologies—offering innovators the opportunity to present transformative solutions on the world’s leading textile and garment technology stage.