Cover image: FEVVERS

From algae-based dyes and next-generation fibres to circular systems tackling textile waste, this year’s cohort brings together 11 pioneering start-ups and SMEs rethinking how fashion is made, sourced and scaled.

Shortlisted businesses will now participate in three bespoke Development Days with key industry figures such as Lauren Junestrand Leal (UKFT), Lisa Chatterton (Fashion Innovation Agency, UAL), Sofia Strazzanti (Future Fashion Assembly), Cecily Rooney (Axel Arigato / Informed Collective), Riley Marchant (PDS Ventures), Surakat Kudehinbu (Green Angel Ventures), Clive Allen (Westbrook Agency), Luke Donovan-King (Forge Together), Oliver Scutt (Bates Wells) and Vikram Menon (Fashionex). 

Starting with the Critical Friends Day, seventeen professionals will critique the shortlisted business’ proposition across different specialisms, from sustainability to production to finance and IP. Whilst at the Production and Business Day, led by Brooke Roberts-Islam from Techstyler, they will evaluate their solutions from the perspective of brands, partners and customers, thinking through how to create robust partnerships. Lastly the Investment Readiness Day led by Hattie Willis from Guessworks will help them consider their investment strategy and pitching technique.

The businesses will go on to compete for a £15,000 prize, alongside a package of industry support designed to accelerate their impact. The winner and runner-ups will be announced at an awards ceremony on 2nd June. 

Speaking on this year’s shortlist, Fashion District Director Helen Lax said:
“The breadth of thinking and level of innovation we’ve seen this year is exceptional. These businesses are not only responding to the challenges facing fashion today, they are actively shaping its future.”

Judge Matthew Drinkwater, Head of Fashion Innovation Agency, London College of Fashion, UAL said:
“This year’s finalists point to a reconfiguration of fashion’s industrial logic. Across dyes, fibres, and processing systems, the work reflects a move toward precision, circularity, and reduced resource intensity. What stands out is the alignment between scientific innovation and commercial application, an essential condition for meaningful transformation. Good luck to them all!”

Judge Georgia Parker, Innovation Director at Fashion For Good said:
“The applications for this year’s Manufacturing Futures were extensive, addressing some of the biggest challenges facing the fashion industry. Shortlisting was a difficult task, and I am looking forward to learning more about the finalists during the pitch day. These startups prove that the future of fashion manufacturing is already being built; hopefully, this platform will help them on their path to scale.”

The shortlist was selected by an expert panel including Adam Mansell (UKFT), Lauren Bartley (GANNI), Georgia Parker (Fashion for Good), Philly Grogan (Nobody’s Child), and Matthew Drinkwater (Fashion Innovation Agency, London College of Fashion, UAL).

Brilliant Dyes is tackling the environmental and health impacts of synthetic dyes across textiles, cosmetics and food. Using an innovative, low-cost process, the company extracts vibrant natural dyes from algae, harnessing photosynthesis to reduce carbon emissions at scale while offering a safe, sustainable alternative for industry.

Circle-8 Textile Ecosystems is building the infrastructure needed to make textile-to-textile recycling viable at scale. Through automated sorting and pre-processing facilities, the company transforms non-reusable textiles into high-quality feedstock, bridging the gap between waste and circular production.

Danu Water develops industrial water recycling systems designed to close on-site water loops. Its technology treats wastewater to a process-ready quality, helping manufacturers reduce freshwater use, minimise discharge and improve operational efficiency.

Dye Recycle is a UK-based fibre reclamation company that transforms real-world waste into high performing materials. Their green chemistry technology separates clean fibres from vibrant colours, refining the unrecycleable into spin-ready textiles.


Fevvers is a materials innovation company replacing animal feathers with a scalable, plant-based alternative for fashion and design. Positioned at the intersection of sustainability and luxury, it enables brands to maintain aesthetic impact while reducing environmental and ethical risks.


Founded in 2024, Grouse Fibre is developing next-generation protein-based fibres to address the climate impact of textiles. Backed by a team of scientists and researchers, the company is rethinking how sustainable fibres are designed and produced.


Infinity Blue is pioneering a circular colour system that recovers indigo from denim waste. Using a natural, chemical-free process, it transforms discarded materials into a reusable dye source – reimagining colour as a resource that can be continuously regenerated.


PulpaTronics is developing fully recyclable, metal-free RFID tags to enable more sustainable inventory management. By replacing traditional components with paper-based conductive materials, the company reduces carbon emissions, costs and electronic waste.

Solena Materials is engineering entirely new fibres using AI and protein-based design. Its advanced materials aim to deliver high-performance and luxury textiles while significantly reducing the environmental impact of synthetic fibres.

Süss Fabrics transforms textile waste into eco-friendly paper through innovative recycling. By analysing materials with FTIR to ensure suitability, they shred and pulp fabrics, then craft sheets through water blending and precision molding.


TERA MIRA is developing a fully biobased elastomer derived from seaweed as an alternative to conventional elastane. Designed for both performance and circularity, the material is compostable and compatible with existing manufacturing processes.

This year’s Manufacturing Futures prize will include:

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