April 2026 | India AI, FashionTech & Textile Innovation News -Bengaluru-based STCH has raised $7 million in a pre-Series A funding round, led by Omnivore, with participation from Kae Capital and WVC.
The funding will be used to enhance the company’s AI-driven textile platform, expand research capabilities, and scale its manufacturing partnerships across key global markets.
Funding to Build AI-Driven Fabric Innovation
With the new capital, STCH plans to:
- Advance its AI technology for fabric development
- Establish a dedicated fabric R&D laboratory
- Strengthen partnerships with textile manufacturers
- Expand operations across India, Asia, and global markets
The move comes as demand grows for sustainable and tech-enabled textile solutions.
AI in Fashion: Shifting Focus to Supply Chain Innovation
Narahari Payala, Co-founder and CEO, highlighted that most AI innovation in fashion has focused on customer-facing areas like design and shopping.
However, STCH is targeting a largely untapped opportunity:
- Fabric development
- Textile manufacturing
- Supply chain optimization
He emphasized that fabric remains one of the most critical yet under-optimized layers in the fashion value chain, especially in Asia, where much of global manufacturing takes place.
Building a Global Textile Innovation Platform from India
STCH aims to leverage:
- India’s strong textile ecosystem
- Global trade opportunities with the UK, Europe, and the US
- AI-driven design and manufacturing capabilities
This positions the company to build a globally competitive, AI-native textile innovation platform.
Investor Perspective
Mark Kahn noted that the founding team combines deep expertise in materials science and supply chain execution, a rare combination in the textile industry.
He added that India already has the infrastructure—raw materials and manufacturing capacity—and platforms like STCH can unlock scalable, sustainable textile innovation.
AI-Powered Textile Platform & Capabilities
Founded in 2025 by Narahari Payala and Aseem Chitkara, STCH is building an AI-powered platform for fabric research and manufacturing.
Key Capabilities:
- Tracks global fashion trends using AI
- Designs sustainable and high-quality fabrics
- Connects brands with manufacturing networks across India and Asia
- Enables eco-friendly material selection and supply chain optimization
The platform helps brands produce scalable, sustainable, and trend-driven textiles.
Early Traction & Global Demand
STCH has already demonstrated strong market traction:
- Secured $15 million+ in orders
- Clients across the UK, Europe, and the United States
This highlights growing demand for AI-enabled textile solutions and sustainable fabric sourcing.
Market Outlook: AI Transforming Textile Manufacturing
The global textile and fashion industry is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by:
- Sustainability requirements
- Supply chain efficiency needs
- Adoption of AI and automation
Startups like STCH are leading this shift by bringing intelligence and scalability to fabric development and manufacturing.
Ruchi Kumar is the associate editor at Entrepreneur News Network and TVW News India, where she leads editorial strategy, brand storytelling, and startup ecosystem coverage. With a strong focus on innovation, business, and marketing insights, he curates impactful narratives that spotlight India’s evolving entrepreneurial landscape. She has written extensively on fintech, AI and emerging startups.