Bengaluru-based textile technology firm STCH has successfully closed a $5.5 million pre-Series A funding round, signaling a significant shift toward deep-tech integration in the apparel supply chain.

Led by Omnivore, this capital injection aims to transition the sector away from its reliance on ‘trial-and-error’ R&D. While most fashion AI focuses on consumer styling, STCH targets the manufacturing core, utilizing a proprietary ‘Fabric GPT’ to reverse-engineer complex textiles. This system decodes fabric compositions - weight, texture, and finish -from digital inputs, allowing brands to bypass the traditional 20-iteration development cycle. By stabilizing the link between chemical inputs and tactile outputs, the firm is effectively industrializing precision manufacturing.

Strategic expansion and sustainable material substitution

The investment facilitates STCH’s entry into high-growth markets, specifically the United States and Spain, while expanding its R&D laboratory capabilities. A primary commercial objective is the development of biodegradable alternatives to petrochemical synthetics. Recent pilot projects have demonstrated the capacity to engineer cotton-based textiles that replicate the performance and hand-feel of polyester, removing the traditional trade-off between sustainability and quality. With a confirmed order book exceeding $15 million from global retailers like Shein and Being Human, STCH is positioning India as a centralized hub for AI-native textile innovation, offering a scalable alternative to fragmented traditional sourcing models.

AI-driven fabric R&D for global brands

STCH is a Bengaluru-headquartered Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) founded in 2025 by former Zetwerk executives. The firm provides AI-driven fabric R&D and supply chain orchestration for global apparel brands. Focusing on sustainable high-performance textiles, STCH currently scales production through a decentralized network of partner mills across Asia.