Refiberd Wins Trailblazer 2025 With AI-Powered Textile Recycling
Textile recycling startup Refiberd has won the Global Fashion Agenda's second Trailblazer Programme award.
Presented by GFA and PDS Ventures at the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen this week, Refiberd was shortlisted under the " closed-loop pathways " category and recognized for the potential systemic impact of its "pioneering technology."
"At this year's summit, we are challenging the industry to address its greatest obstacles and implement proven catalysts for change. Refiberd exemplifies how technological innovation can help bridge longstanding structural gaps in the fashion system," Federica Marchionni , CEO of the GFA, said. "Their solution reflects the spirit of the Trailblazer Programme, and the theme of ‘ Barriers and Bridges ' by turning challenge into opportunity."
The Trailblazer Programme -a talent search supporting early-stage innovators accelerating industry-wide advancements- will award Refiberd the with up to $200,000 in cash, plus commercial and operational backing from Positive Materials , pending completion of financial and legal due diligence and committee approvals.
"Refiberd embodies the spirit of visionary entrepreneurship-developing breakthrough technology with the potential to transform the fashion industry," said Pallak Seth , founder and executive vice chairman at PDS Limited. "The funding support provided through this award will be instrumental in scaling its innovations and driving forward circular textile recycling across the supply chain."
The Portugal -based R&D hub operating under the aegis of PDS Group will work to help scale the winning solution. Which, for Refiberd, comes following the jury's "recognition of the need for more accurate material data across the supply chain," co-founder and CEO Sarika Bajaj said.
"Having our technology recognized by so many influential members of the fashion and textile industry is incredible validation for our team," she said. "This opportunity comes at a critical growth point for Refiberd; we are thrilled to work toward scaling our technology with [this] support."
The startup shines hyperspectral imaging on textiles to capture each material's unique spectral "fingerprint," and AI decodes these fingerprints to determine the exact fiber mix and any contaminants. This enables accurate sorting for recycling, authenticating resold garments-and verifying material data in digital product passports.
Since launching in 2020, Refiberd has amassed awards from the likes of SXSW Pitch, Fashion for Good and the H&M Foundation -not to mention raising $3.4 million in funding-all within three years.
In April, eBay named Refiberd as its Circular Fashion Innovator of the Year. The online marketplace's venture capital arm awarded the Cupertino , Calif.-based startup with a $300,000 investment to support scaling.
Meanwhile, the award saw interest nearly double against the inaugural effort, having received over 200 applications from more than 40 countries across six continents. This "incredible momentum," per PDS, is reflective of the partners' commitment to "empower founders" to reimagine fashion's future.
"Action is taken when we support entrepreneurs to convert their ideas into feasible business-and what better way to do it than through collective intelligence at the Trailblazer program," said jury member Yuly Fuentes-Medel, program director for textiles, climate grand challenges, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "Innovation cannot stop; people and the planet count on us."
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