Manufacturing Futures 2024 : 10 Businesses Shortlisted by Fashion District
Image By Courtesy of FASHION DISTRICT
Fashion District has announced the shortlist of 10 start-ups and SMEs in its coveted Innovation Challenge: Manufacturing Futures programme.
As part of the programme, the brands have the chance to win a £15,000 cash prize to develop their sustainable manufacturing business to make an impact on the fashion industry, chosen by a judging panel of experts in July.
New cellulosic materials from potato harvest, leather-like material made from collagen and cutting-edge, plant-based, biodegradable sequin materials are just some of the innovations from the shortlisted businesses as part of Manufacturing Futures 2024.
UKFT’s Adam Mansell is part of the judging panel that selected the list, alongside Matthew Drinkwater, Head of Fashion Innovation Agency at London College of Fashion; Gillian Lipton, Head of Sustainability at Alexander McQueen; Ella Gould, Head of Circularity and Innovation at Selfridges; Chelsea Franklin, Head of Advanced Concept Design at PANGAIA.
The shortlisted businesses are:
Arda Biomaterials – turning spent grain from the beer brewing and whisky distilling industries into a novel, leather-like material
Fab Materials – converting hard-to-recycle fashion waste into valuable boards and composites
Fibe – creating new cellulosic materials from potato harvest waste
Fiiba – scaling sustainable materials for the fashion industry made from 100% agricultural waste
Oxford Biopigments – plant-based dyes that are naturally lightfast and perform like synthetic dyes
PACT – creating leather-like material made from collagen sourced from industrial by-products
Sequinova – cutting-edge, plant-based, biodegradable sequin materials
The Seam – the wardrobe care & repair service powered by intelligent tech, that pairs specialist makers with people and brands to keep fashion out of landfill
TRUSS – simplifying the resale process through instant access to actionable data
Zori Tex – using the latest technology to optimise the sorting and availability of complex non-reusable textiles
The businesses will now take part in a Critical Friends Day to receive feedback from a panel of experts covering innovation and sustainability, manufacturing production, business growth and IP, marketing and investment.
About The Prize
This year’s Manufacturing Futures prize will include:
Cash prize of £15,000 for the winner and £5,000 each for two runners-up
Desk membership for a year at The Trampery workspace in Fish Island Village
Membership to UKFT providing access to their annual programme of events and webinars, networking opportunities via their extensive pool of members and supporters, and the latest market insights
Business membership for a year to Common Objective, accessing 30,000+ global connections, premium intelligence and training courses in sustainable fashion and manufacturing
The runners up will also receive professional memberships to Common Objective
Business development consultancy hours from PANGAIA
