MassChallenge

MassChallenge is a global nonprofit startup accelerator headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, founded in 2009. It supports early-stage entrepreneurs from various industries, including technology, healthcare, and finance, by providing mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities. With locations in countries such as Israel, Mexico, Switzerland, and Texas, MassChallenge operates a non-equity model, allowing startups to retain full ownership while benefiting from expert guidance and connections. The accelerator conducts various programs tailored to specific sectors, such as MassChallenge HealthTech and MassChallenge FinTech, which facilitate partnerships between startups and established enterprises to drive innovation and market growth. Through its extensive global network, MassChallenge aims to strengthen the innovation ecosystem and empower high-potential startups to create meaningful impact.

Cait Brumme

Acting CEO

Siobhan Dullea

CEO

Kiki Mills Johnston

Managing Director, Boston

Matt Lashmar

Managing Director

Camila Lecaros

Managing Director

Yonit Serkin

Managing Director

Devon Sherman

Founding Director, Head of MassChallenge FinTech

Michelle Williams

Vice President and Head of Texas Strategy

Past deals in Textiles

Fili Pari

Non Equity Assistance in 2024
Equal Threads offers designing materials, garments, fabric, wearable microfilm, textiles, soft materials, innovative materials, covering, upholstery, new materials, and stone materials for sale.

Banofi Leather

Non Equity Assistance in 2023
Banofi Leather is to protect our only planet, by creating plant-based leather from banana crop waste. Banofi believe that customers should not have to compromise but also that fashion should be guilt and cruelty-free. So, we dedicated ourselves to creating Banofi, which looks, feels, and smells like traditional leather.

TextRe

Non Equity Assistance in 2023
TextRe creates environmentally friendly plastic polymers from recycled textile waste in an effort to cut down on plastic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in the textile and plastic industries.

Wave Company

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
Wave Company is a diversified smart apparel firm focused on enhancing athletic performance and recovery through innovative technology. Its flagship product, WaveWear, utilizes patented compression and kinesiology features to aid in injury prevention and recovery for athletes. The company leverages its proprietary conductive silicone technology, Elecsil, to analyze human movement and enhance training experiences. In addition to developing advanced sportswear, Wave Company produces and sells core material technologies, including its bio-silicone technology, to various sectors such as sportswear, healthcare, and smart wear. This approach allows Wave Company to distribute finished products directly to consumers or license its material technologies to other brands, similar to established names in the industry.

NERAMCO

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
NERAMCO develops smart polyethylene fibers and fabrics, SVETEX, for the textile industry. SVETEX materials have superior functionality and can be used as a sustainable/recyclable material that reduces water consumption and pollutants. The company develops apparel for children with skin disorders, and temperature-reducing underwear for menopausal women (for comfort) and all men (for improved fertility).

Gelatex

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
Gelatex is a materials technology company based in Estonia, founded in 2016 and incorporated in the UK in 2019. The company has developed a patented technology for producing bio-based nanofibers efficiently and cost-effectively, making it possible to produce these materials at a scale that is significantly faster and cheaper than traditional methods. Gelatex's production process utilizes gelatin derived from low-value waste in the meat and leather industries, ensuring that its products are made from natural and non-toxic substances, which promotes sustainability in the textile sector. Initially focused on creating eco-friendly leather-like textiles, the company pivoted during the COVID-19 pandemic to explore a broader range of applications for its nanofibers, including 3D scaffolds for tissue engineering, cultured meat, bio-based filters, energy storage, and wound care.

Nautilus Defense

Pre Seed Round in 2020
Nautilus Defense specializes in the development and manufacturing of advanced systems for maritime surveillance and structural monitoring. The company creates integrated textile and composite systems that incorporate strain-sensing yarns, antennas, and wearable technologies. These innovations allow for the monitoring of structural assets and their environments, enhancing performance through rapid experimental development. Nautilus Defense's offerings include deployable systems, device arrays, and embeddable systems, all designed to deliver cutting-edge capabilities efficiently.

SENSTILE

Non Equity Assistance in 2020
SENSTILE is a textile company provides fashion design with VR and 5G Tactile internet.

ShelltexDP

Non Equity Assistance in 2020
Shelltex DP is a Dissolving Pulp process that extracts pure cellulose from residual crop for the textile industry

Polybion

Grant in 2019
Polybion is a manufacturer specializing in circular carbon-sourced bio-assembled materials aimed at assisting designers and materials engineers in creating eco-friendly products. By utilizing waste as a raw material, Polybion develops and finishes products that significantly reduce the environmental impact associated with traditional textile materials derived from petroleum or animals. This approach not only promotes sustainability but also contributes to the advancement of the circular economy, enabling customers to adopt more environmentally responsible practices in their design and manufacturing processes.

Dimpora

Non Equity Assistance in 2019
Dimpora produces eco-friendly functional membranes for the outdoor textile industry. The 2D products involve a conventional lamination of the dimpora membrane onto a textile. The waterproof fluorine-free membrane is mainly based on polyurethane and undergoes a template removal approach to create the necessary porosity, thus achieving excellent breathability. Dimpora vision is to provide sustainable solutions for performance wear in order to enjoy nature in its fullest, without damaging it. The company's mission is to innovate and develop the next-generation functional and sustainable high-performance membranes for outdoor enthusiasts.

BUHO

Non Equity Assistance in 2018
BUHO is a sustainable fashion & lifestyle platform with products for women, men, kids & home under one banner for the first time. We're rooted in an uncompromising commitment to sustainable contemporary fashion that’s easy to find, fun to wear, and earth-loving. Our company was born out of a belief that fashion can do better because we know better. By combining fashion and social impact, BUHO provides consumers the opportunity to shop by the values most important to them. As an active member of 1% For the Planet, BUHO commits to donating 1% of all sales to support environmental programs and is a fully circular business with biodegradable packaging and an easy recycle program that distributes items to one of our non-profit partners repurposes it into new materials. We are currently going through our B-Corp Certification Process.

Blue Fairy Med

Non Equity Assistance in 2018
Blue Fairy Med is a manufacturer of innovative wearable medical devices designed for the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The company specializes in a unique system that integrates wires, adhesive electrodes, sensors, and textiles into a single soft garment. This device facilitates wireless monitoring of vital signs for premature infants, enhancing the ability of healthcare providers to track and manage their well-being. By offering a seamless and comprehensive approach to infant care, Blue Fairy Med aims to transform treatment methodologies, improve patient outcomes, and establish new standards of care for vulnerable newborns.

Devali

Non Equity Assistance in 2018
Devali is a textile-based health and safety innovation startup developing products for the senior, sports, military, and medical markets.

Social Fabric

Grant in 2017
Social Fabric is a sustainable textile center that promotes the use of environmentally friendly and socially responsible textiles. The organization aims to combine a circular economy with innovative technology and decentralized manufacturing to provide customers with customized garments. It operates as a community-based association, focusing on two main areas: integrating refugees into the workforce in Switzerland and enhancing sustainability in textile production. By prioritizing ethical labor practices and minimizing ecological impact, Social Fabric offers individuals access to meaningful and sustainable textile products.

Sonovia

Grant in 2017
Sonovia Ltd. is an Israeli company specializing in the production of ultrasonic coatings for textiles, aimed at creating anti-bacterial and odorless fabrics. Founded in 2013 and formerly known as Nano-Textile Ltd., the company developed a unique sono-coating process that leverages cavitation, allowing for a highly effective and environmentally friendly application without the use of chemical binders. This innovative technology is applied to various textiles used in hotels, restaurants, hospitals, and clothing, including patient gowns and bedding. Additionally, Sonovia manufactures reusable masks in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The company is headquartered in Ramat Gan, Israel.

Baabuk

Grant in 2017
BAABUK is a Swiss company founded in 2013 by a dynamic couple, Galina and Dan. Their story began when Galina's parents gave Dan a pair of traditional Russian "Valenkis". In the past, these Russian felted boots were essential to fight the Siberian cold. So after trying them out in the snow, Galina and Dan had an idea! Why not preserve the "Valenki" ancestral know-how and create a revised pair of 100% wool shoes? That's when the first BAABUK pair of shoes was born, and they didn't stop there...

Induo

Seed Round in 2016
Induo is a textile company that specializes in the production of innovative fabrics designed for apparel brands. The company's flagship product, INDUO® fabric, is engineered to be resistant to stains and perspiration while maintaining the soft touch and comfort characteristic of high-quality cotton. Induo utilizes advanced technology to create breathable and repellent fabrics, focusing on sustainability by recycling complex material blends and poorly sorted apparel waste. This approach allows the company to offer comfortable clothing options at an affordable price, catering to the needs of both consumers and apparel manufacturers.

Induo

Non Equity Assistance in 2016
Induo is a textile company that specializes in the production of innovative fabrics designed for apparel brands. The company's flagship product, INDUO® fabric, is engineered to be resistant to stains and perspiration while maintaining the soft touch and comfort characteristic of high-quality cotton. Induo utilizes advanced technology to create breathable and repellent fabrics, focusing on sustainability by recycling complex material blends and poorly sorted apparel waste. This approach allows the company to offer comfortable clothing options at an affordable price, catering to the needs of both consumers and apparel manufacturers.

Unshrinkit

Grant in 2015
Unshrinkit is a company that specializes in a patent-pending liquid solution designed to restore wool clothing to its original size after it has been unintentionally shrunk. This innovative product provides an effective way for consumers to address common laundry mishaps involving wool garments and accessories. The solution allows users to easily unshrink their clothing, making it a practical option for those looking to salvage their favorite wool items. By focusing on a specific need within the clothing care market, Unshrinkit offers a unique and valuable service to consumers who wish to maintain the integrity of their woolen apparel.

Beantown Bedding

Grant in 2013
Beantown Bedding is a company founded by two Boston entrepreneurs that offers an innovative solution for laundry-free living. The company specializes in compostable Laundry-Free Linens, which provide an eco-friendly and convenient alternative to traditional laundering methods. Initially aimed at college students, these soft sheets made from Tencel™ are now utilized by various sectors, including hospitality, healthcare, and emergency management, benefiting from decreased operational costs and environmental impact. Users can enjoy these linens for several days or weeks before discarding or composting them, which saves time, water, and energy. Beantown Bedding has garnered significant media attention and recognition, being featured on platforms such as CNBC, USA Today, and The Today Show. The founders have received accolades for their entrepreneurial efforts, including being named among Women & Wealth Magazine’s 17 Women to Watch. The company has also participated in notable entrepreneurial programs and competitions, further establishing its presence in the market. Beantown Bedding's products are available online at their website.

Lallitara

Grant in 2013
lallitara is an environmentally conscious apparel brand that create stylish products by breathing new life into vintage sari fabrics. Their functional pieces allow you to showcase your sense of style while benefiting others. In particular, your purchase allows us to provide fair wages to India's informal recycling community, and support the 'Made in America' movement by manufacturing domestically.

99degrees Custom

Grant in 2013
99C manufactures build-to-order apparel for the growing me-commerce market and serves as an economic mobility bridge for the local workforce in Lawrence and Lowell. It provides quick-turn performance activewear production, advanced concept incubation, and wearable technology integration for global and emerging brands.

Pegasus Performance

Grant in 2012
Pegasus was established after its founder, an avid bike racer, had a severe accident that nearly cost him his life. Using a patent-pending system of strategically placed sliding fabric layers, the cycling garments are engineered to be light, breathable, and protective. Pegasus Performance produces patent-pending garments that reduce injuries from bike and other sports crashes, improving your safety.

Zinaura Pharma

Grant in 2011
Zinaura Pharma is a supplier of home textile products. They provide products that include home accessories and lifestyle products. Their customers' inquiries are addressed through phone, email, and online applications.

Casa Couture

Grant in 2011
Casa Couture is a footwear company founded in 2011 by Claudia Espinola, specializing in stylish and comfortable shoes for women, particularly targeting expecting mothers and married women. The brand emphasizes the fusion of fashion and comfort, utilizing materials that self-adjust to the wearer's foot, ensuring a luxurious fit during the maternity period. Casa Couture has garnered recognition from notable outlets such as WWD, The Bump, and ABC News for its innovative approach to women's footwear, allowing women to express their style without compromising on comfort.
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