Fashion faces a hidden crisis, with textile waste costing the industry over £200bn every year before products even reach the shelves – enough fabric to cover Austria annually. London-based fashion tech startup ZERØTEC is tackling this challenge at source, using patented AI technology to optimise pattern design and textile cutting in clothing production. By doing so, the platform saves up to 15% more material than conventional methods, making fashion both more sustainable and more profitable.
Launched earlier this year, ZERØTEC has already attracted more than 250 users from global fashion brands within just a few weeks, signalling a shift away from waste and excess towards a new, more efficient model.
The company has raised a £642,000 pre-seed round led by Bethnal Green Ventures, with participation from SFC Capital, SCE Freiraum Ventures, Cranfield University Seed Fund, and angel investor Benjamin Manwaring. This investment will accelerate product development, expand the team, and scale pilot projects with leading fashion partners worldwide.
