YiLab Temperature Control Technologies, a materials science company co-founded by Stanford professor and nanotechnology pioneer Yi Cui, has announced the close of an oversubscribed pre-A funding round, bringing its total funding to over $10 million. This milestone reflects growing investor confidence in YiLab’s mission to transform textile innovation through its brand LifeLabs Design, which develops sustainable fabrics for temperature-regulating apparel.
The funding round attracted a diverse mix of strategic investors from the technology, sustainability, and consumer sectors. Their interest underscores the broad relevance of LifeLabs’ textile technologies, which are designed to meet the evolving needs of outdoor and active lifestyle brands. These fabrics are engineered to regulate body temperature more effectively while using fewer resources in production, offering a rare combination of comfort, performance, and environmental responsibility.
LifeLabs’ textile platform is built on a decade of research originating at Stanford University. What began as an academic breakthrough has matured into a commercially viable solution for reducing global energy consumption and carbon emissions. By helping wearers stay cool or warm without relying on external climate control, LifeLabs fabrics offer a scalable way to reduce dependence on heating and air conditioning—two of the most significant contributors to household energy use.
With the funding, YiLab plans to establish a cutting-edge research lab and manufacturing facility in Asia. This expansion will enable faster prototyping and more efficient scaling of LifeLabs’ proprietary textile technologies, allowing the company to meet growing demand from global apparel and accessory brands. The facility will serve as a hub for innovation, where advanced materials science meets real-world application in the form of next-generation fabrics.
LifeLabs is already collaborating with several well-known brands on future product launches, signaling a shift in how the apparel industry approaches sustainability and performance. As consumers increasingly seek out products that align with environmental values without compromising on quality or comfort, LifeLabs is positioned to become a key enabler of that transition.
KEY QUOTE:
“This funding marks a pivotal step forward in our mission to transform textiles into powerful climate solutions. The enthusiasm from investors reinforces both the urgency of our work and the strength of our technology. With our new R&D lab and factory, we’re building a fast process from laboratory technology innovation to real-world impact.”
Sophia Ou, CEO and co-founder of YiLab
