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Apparel technology investments and innovation in Q3 2025

Based on the research data for Q3 2025, here is the list of companies that invested in technology and innovation, ranging from Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics to material science and digital platforms.

Fashion & Retail Brands

  • Bestseller: Led a 20 million dollar funding round for Softwear Automation to commercialize autonomous sewing robots (Sewbots) and invested in Matterr for chemical polyester recycling.
  • Debenhams Group: Signed a multi-year partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to scale generative AI tools for operations, product descriptions, and an "Interactive AI Room Style" feature.
  • Gap Inc.: Launched a cross-brand content creator platform to centralize advocacy and partnered with Klarna to offer flexible payment options across its US portfolio.
  • H&M Group: Announced a sourcing partnership with Circ for recycled polycotton fibers and invested in Reverse.fashion, a startup developing AI-automated textile sorting.
  • Inditex (Zara): Announced an investment in Theker Robotics, a startup developing AI-powered robots for soldering and maintenance, and expanded its partnership with TextileGenesis for supply chain traceability.
  • Karl Lagerfeld: Fully integrated generative AI into its design workflow to create realistic images from sketches and virtual models, enhancing speed and efficiency.
  • Levi Strauss & Co.: Developing an AI "orchestration platform" with Microsoft to automate workflows and launched digital tools like "Outfitting" and the "Stitch" store assistant.
  • Macy's: Opened a new highly automated fulfillment center in North Carolina featuring an advanced warehouse management system.
  • Mango: Deepened its collaboration with TextileGenesis to trace its supply chain and fiber usage using digital tokens.
  • Otrium: Implemented AI-driven robotics (Autostore) in its warehouse and utilised generative AI for creating product imagery and marketing content.
  • Ralph Lauren: Launched "Ask Ralph," an AI-powered digital stylist app developed in collaboration with Microsoft to provide personalized styling advice.
  • Tapestry: Increased its investment in Gen Phoenix to help the material supplier scale its recycled leather fiber technology.
  • Target: Utilizing "Target Trend Brain" (generative AI) and synthetic audiences to identify trends and test products before launch.
  • Warby Parker: Partnered with Google to develop intelligent eyewear and invested in an AI-driven recommendation tool called "Advisor."
  • Zalando: Expanded its AI-driven "Discovery Feed" to 16 additional markets and integrated 3D technology following its acquisition of DeepAR.

Technology & Solution Providers

  • Albatross: Raised 12.5 million dollars to develop an AI model for real-time product discovery to replace static recommendation systems.
  • Ant International: Integrated iris authentication technology into its GlassPay solution for seamless payments via smart glasses.
  • ChatBlu: Raised 500,000 dollars in pre-seed funding for an autonomous AI agent designed for multi-platform inventory management.
  • Claros Technologies: Secured 10 million dollars to scale its system for destroying PFAS ("forever chemicals") in wastewater.
  • CLO Virtual Fashion: Acquired Swatchbook, a digital materials provider, to create the world's largest digital fabric database.
  • Ffface.me: Launched Loook.ai, a platform enabling brands to easily create Augmented Reality (AR) mirrors for retail environments.
  • Global-e: Acquired ReturnGO, an AI-powered returns and exchange platform, to enhance post-purchase experiences.
  • Innovative Eyewear: Reported revenue growth driven by Lucyd smart eyewear and a partnership to sell Reebok smart glasses.
  • JustBrand Limited: Acquired Venture Heat to strengthen its position in the heated apparel and wearable tech market.
  • MySize: Acquired ShoeSize.Me, an AI-powered footwear sizing company, to integrate it into its Naiz Fit platform.
  • Phia: Raised 8 million dollars for an AI-powered shopping agent that compares prices and tracks trends.
  • Recovo: Launched "Recovo Recommerce," a plug-and-play software using AI to help brands manage resale and take-back programs.
  • SecondSense: Raised 2 million dollars for a data-driven secondhand luxury marketplace that uses AI to aggregate inventory.
  • Talon.One: Raised 135 million dollars to expand its AI-powered promotion and loyalty software platform.

Material Science & Biotech

  • Brightplus: Raised 2 million euros to scale its "BrightBio" waterless, bio-based textile coating technology.
  • Circ: Partnered with Sanyou Chemical Fiber to scale the production of recycled cellulosic fibers in China.
  • Everbloom: Raised 8 million dollars to commercialize its proprietary protein-based fibers as an alternative to wool and cashmere.
  • Gen Phoenix: Secured 15 million dollars in funding to expand its recycled leather fiber manufacturing.
  • Qorium: Raised 22 million euros to scale the production of lab-grown leather from cultivated cow cells.
  • Resortecs: Raised 6 million euros to scale its "Smart Stitch" and "Smart Disassembly" thermal disassembly technology for recycling.

Report index:

  • Apparel companies posting strong performance in Q3 2025
  • Companies reporting sales and profit drops in Q3 2025
  • Apparel technology investments and innovation in Q3 2025
  • Executive summary list of apparel companies’s results Q3 2025
  • Strategic acquisitions and expansions in apparel, Q3 2025

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