SoftWear Automation, a developer of robotic sewing technologies for the apparel industry said it completed a $3 million Series A round of financing from CTW Venture Partners.
Alongside, KP Reddy, partner at CTW Venture has also been appointed as CEO of SoftWear Automation.
SoftWear Automation develops innovative core technologies for the apparel manufacturing sector by harnessing its experience and expertise in machine vision, robotics, and computing.
SoftWear expects its technology will lead from conversion of labour-intensive industries to ones that are capital intensive and economical.
The US imports $100 billion in sewn products annually and it has lost around 85 per cent of its apparel manufacturing jobs since 1990, as retailers relocate operations to low-cost countries.
However, according to SoftWear, this race to reduce costs in the apparel production process comes at a high price.
“The working conditions in these foreign factories are often abysmal and the long-distance shipping of textiles and apparel impacts the environment,” it says.
According to SoftWear, it is working to make the US garment industry competitive again and bring manufacturing back with its use of machine vision, robotics and computing technologies.
The company seeks to be the first supplier of fully automated garment production lines with advanced robotic sewing technologies.
KP Reddy, SoftWear's CEO says, "SoftWear's technologies will eliminate sweatshops and give the American apparel industry a significant competitive advantage.”
“Our devices will revolutionise the sector by allowing designers to instantly fabricate their fashion line and create clothing beyond the capabilities and precision of human hands," he adds.
SoftWear Automation is also a part of the Georgia Tech collaborative that received a $2 million grant from the Walmart Foundation in August.
The Walmart US Manufacturing Innovation Fund focuses on development of domestic manufacturing with a specific goal of advancing the production or assembly of consumer products.
SoftWear has also previously received grant funding from DARPA and the Georgia Research Alliance.
CTW is a venture capital firm that invests in seed and early-stage entrepreneurs and focuses on companies with patentable, disruptive innovations or technologies, and strong technical expertise.
"CTW is looking to change the world with our investments and we have found a perfect match in SoftWear," says Palaniswamy Rajan, managing partner of CTW Venture Partners. (AR)
