unspun, an industry leader in 3D weaving technology, announced $32 million in an oversubscribed Series B funding round led by DCVC, with participation from Lowercarbon Capital, E12, Decathlon and SOSV.
This funding round will drive the rapid scaling of unspun’s innovative 3D weaving technology Vega — which was designed to help brands realize a low-inventory, nearshore and automated supply-chain for woven products, which represent 57% of the total apparel market — as the company expands its operations in Europe and North America.
Vega is the world’s first 3D weaving technology for apparel. And it takes thousands of yarns and weaves them into garments in minutes, allowing for (almost) zero-waste, on-demand manufacturing. This technology unlocks scalable on-demand or low-inventory production.
Since 3D weaving drastically shortens supply chains and lead times, brands and manufacturers can plug these machines into existing supply chains for localized and automated production. And this opportunity enables traditional cut-make-trim facilities to vertically integrate operations, providing a faster, cleaner, and more efficient waste compared to industry averages.
unspun has also signed multi-year agreements with multiple top retailers like Walmart to deploy its Vega machines for localized production in North America and Europe. And this demonstrates growing demand from major funds, brands, and retailers seeking more sustainable and efficient manufacturing solutions amid growing regulatory pressure and consumer demand for supply chain transparency and sustainability.
In Europe – where new rules proposing production limits and waste bans are under consideration – local-for-local manufacturing enabled by unspun’s technology provides a clear competitive edge for compliance. And with Vega machines vastly expediting the design-to-shelf process, brands will be enabled to keep up with the ultra-fast cadences set by fast-fashion disruptors while maintaining quality, profitability, and low waste.
With this funding round, unspun will scale its operations through licensing its technology to established manufacturing partners in Europe. unspun works with brands and manufacturers who are committed to decarbonizing their fashion supply chains with onshored, low-impact, and automated production. And Vega will also have circular supply chain applications, and unspun is developing products and manufacturing techniques that enable for garments to be unspun back into yarns, and re-woven into new products.
With Vega, 3D weaving the product capabilities are endless and these high-performing jacquard machines can create woven garments using almost any yarn. And the current generation of the machines is focused on producing high quality outputs for bottoms (they can also create bags and hats) while future generations of the machines will allow the company to expand into performance categories, outerwear, shoes, tops, and dresses.
This announcement follows unspun’s recent project announcement with Walmart. This project aims to localize parts of Walmart’s manufacturing and promote a higher level of supply chain traceability in North America. Before this, unspun also worked with the fashion label ****Eckhaus Latta. Together, they revealed the first-ever 3D woven collection at New York Fashion Week. These products are now accessible online through various retailers and in stores globally. And unspun’s Vega technology continues to be a pioneering force in the fashion and design industry, recently playing a crucial part in the launch of designer Ana Kraš’ lifestyle brand Teget.
KEY QUOTES:
“Overproduction has long been a taboo in fashion. It is now recognized by top-tier climate-funds as a key issue to urgently solve for the industry. We are overwhelmed with the enthusiasm, and excited to be partnering with DCVC, Lowercarbon, SOSV climate, Decathlon and many commercial partners to urgently scale Vega™ to localize apparel manufacturing across North America and Europe.”
- Walden Lam, CEO of unspun
“unspun offers a tremendous economic and logistical unlock for the fashion industry by eliminating costly overproduction and radically shortening the supply chain. We think it’s good business to align profits and climate impact and are excited to help unspun revolutionize the way clothing is made.”
- Milo Werner, General Partner at DCVC, who will join unspun’s Board of Directors
