A material science start-up called Fibe, which creates new cotton-like textile fibres from potato harvest waste – believed to be the world’s first – has been announced as the winner of Fashion District’s Manufacturing Futures Innovation Challenge 2024.
Taking home a £15,000 cash prize to grow the business, Fibe was chosen by a judging panel of industry experts including Ella Gould, Head of Sustainability and Innovation at Selfridges, Chelsea Franklin, Head of Advanced Concept Design at Pangaia, and Adam Mansell, CEO of UKFT.
Two runners up received £5,000 each. They were Sequinova, which makes biodegradable sequins out of cellulose, and Fab Materials, which converts hard to recycle fashion waste into furniture.
Ella Gould said: “I feel so energised and hopeful after seeing such a broad spectrum of pitches solving problems across fashion’s entire value chain. The judges were unanimous in Fibe winning this year’s award.
“The energy in the room after their pitch was palpable and we are looking forward to seeing the business take its fibre innovation to the next level. Who knew potatoes were so exciting!”
Idan Gal-Shohet, Co-Founder of Fibe, added: “The funding will be used to expand our business, so we are able to harvest a variety of different crops and create better conditions for farmers around the world.
“Our mission in the end is to create materials that use far fewer environmental resources than what’s currently available. Thank you so much to the judges and organisers for giving us this great opportunity to grow Fibe.”
Helen Lax, Director of Fashion District, said: “Congratulations to Fibe for winning this year’s Manufacturing Futures Innovation Challenge. I am thoroughly impressed by the talent and creativity of all the start-ups who took part in this year’s challenge and am hopeful for the future of the industry.
“There’s plenty we can do to improve and start-ups like these take us one step closer to achieving tangible change.”
Making up the judging panel were Gillian Lipton, sustainability consultant most recently at Alexander McQueen, and Matthew Drinkwater, Head of Fashion Innovation Agency at London College of Fashion, UAL.