To inspire innovations in the textile, garment and fashion industry, the European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers, Cematex has launched a new initiative to support startups and selected young enterprises. Cematex will provide these enterprises innovative solutions for the textile and garment industry with a grant to exhibit at the Start-Up Valley during ITMA 2023. The Cematex Start-Up Grant will cover the rental costs of a special design stand and fittings, as well as entitlements such as business matching

Ernesto Maurer, President Cematex says, the Start-Up Valley will complement the ITMA Research & Innovation Lab. In addition to exhibiting at ITMA 2023, Start-Up Valley exhibitors can also take part in various onsite activities, including speaking at the Innovator Xchange and participating in the ITMA Sustainable Innovation Award and Innovation Video Showcase.

To be eligible for the grant, start-ups must have a product or service that is within ITMA 2023’s exhibit profile. The company should have been incorporated for more than 8 years, and has either generated revenue for at least a year or raised capital from investors or grants from other incubator programs.

A key selection criterion is the environmental, economic and/or disruptive impact of the innovation, solution or product. Other criteria include the scalability of the innovation and its relevance to ITMA’s theme: Transforming the World of Textiles, and the four trending topics, namely advanced materials, automation and digital future, sustainability and circularity, and innovative technologies. Interested start-ups can apply for the Cematex grant by June 30, 2022. Winners will be announced by October 28, 2022. ITMA 2023 will be held at Fiera Milano Rho, Milan, from June 8 to 14, 2023. The exhibitor will include a dedicated chapter on textile reinforcement structures for composites.