New York Fashion Tech Lab Unveils 2025 Cohort: Women-Led Tech Innovations Shaping the Future of Fashion and Retail

Table of Contents

1. Key Highlights
2. Introduction
3. Celebrating Women's Leadership in Technology
4. Addressing Industry Challenges with Innovation
5. The NYFTLab Experience: An Immersive 12-Week Program
6. Implications for the Future of Fashion and Retail
7. FAQ

Key Highlights

• The New York Fashion Tech Lab (NYFTLab) has announced its 2025 cohort, comprising six women-led start-ups focused on revolutionizing the fashion and retail sectors.
• The participating companies were selected based on their innovative technologies addressing key industry challenges, including sustainability, personalized consumer experience, and product development efficiency.
• The program offers a 12-week immersive experience, culminating in a showcase event scheduled for June 17, 2025, at HSBC at The Spiral in Hudson Yards.

Introduction

Amidst the dynamic backdrop of the global fashion industry, women-led start-ups are stepping into the spotlight, driving innovation and sustainable practices. As substantial strides are made towards inclusivity and technology integration, the New York Fashion Tech Lab (NYFTLab) has unveiled its 2025 cohort—an impressive lineup of six women-led tech companies set to reshape the retail landscape. Their participation comes at a crucial juncture, as the fashion industry increasingly seeks solutions to pressing challenges such as sustainability and consumer engagement.

The NYFTLab, now in its 12th year, continues its mission to bolster women-led B2B technology ventures that are making waves in the fashion and retail sectors. This year's cohort reflects the industry's evolving priorities while demonstrating the significant impact of female entrepreneurs in reshaping market dynamics.

Celebrating Women's Leadership in Technology

For over a decade, the NYFTLab has focused on nurturing women-led companies, providing them with invaluable resources to accelerate their growth. Among this year’s selected innovators are founder-executives from various global locations, including London, Los Angeles, Luxembourg, New York, San Francisco, and Uruguay. This diverse geographical representation underscores the international appeal and necessity for innovation in the fashion sector.

The 2025 Cohort Overview

The six start-ups selected for the 2025 cohort are:

1. Slip: Founded by Tash Grossman, Slip is a digital receipt platform that enhances post-purchase experiences through personalized, omnichannel solutions. This addresses a significant pain point in customer journey management post-purchase.

2. LiquiDonate: Under the leadership of CEO Disney Petit, LiquiDonate focuses on matching donations for unsellable returns and overstock inventory. This start-up not only fosters social responsibility but also tackles logistical inefficiencies in the fashion sector.

3. Vody: Stephanie Horbaczewski, the CEO, leverages multimodal large language models to enrich inventory data, making it more consumer-friendly. This innovation highlights the intersection of artificial intelligence and fashion retail.

4. Athena Studio: Led by CEO Heidi Van Dyck, Athena Studio offers real-time visibility into product development, streamlining processes across teams and platforms.

5. Spangle AI: Co-led by Karen Moon and Yufeng Gou, Spangle AI provides an AI-driven platform that optimizes shopping experiences, helping retailers to capture more revenue through enhanced consumer interaction.

6. KSI Vision: Spearheaded by Sofia Lemes, this company offers in-store retail analytics utilizing existing security cameras while integrating AI and computer vision, shedding light on customer behaviors and preferences.

Each of these companies exemplifies how technology can be harnessed to advance efficiency and sustainability in retail, crucial aspects that resonate with modern consumers.

Addressing Industry Challenges with Innovation

According to Jackie Trebilcock, managing director at NYFTLab, the cohort's focus on circular economy practices, product development, personalization, and sustainability reflects the industry's current priorities. With increasing consumer demand for brands that practice sustainability and social responsibility, the innovations from these start-ups could represent a significant shift in how fashion businesses operate.

Key Industry Trends

• Sustainability and Circular Economy: Many fashion brands are feeling the pressure to adopt sustainable practices, driven by a more environmentally conscious consumer base. Start-ups like LiquiDonate and Vody are key players, enabling brands to manage overstock and enhance product viability while giving back to the community.

• Customer Personalization: As data analytics becomes more sophisticated, so do consumer expectations. Using AI and language models to personalize the shopping experience can deepen consumer engagement and foster brand loyalty.

• Real-Time Data Analytics: Understanding consumer behavior in real-time can leverage insights for better decision-making. Start-ups like KSI Vision illustrate the effective use of existing infrastructure to capture analytics without significant new spending.

The NYFTLab Experience: An Immersive 12-Week Program

The 2025 cohort will participate in an intensive 12-week program that commenced in mid-March 2025 and is set to conclude in June. Each participating company benefits from mentorship, access to valuable industry contacts, and critical business resources tailored to their unique needs.

A Closing Showcase

The culminative showcase event on June 17 at the annual NYFTLab Cohort Showcase/Demo Day represents a significant opportunity for these start-ups to pitch their innovations to potential investors and partners. Gathering key players from the fashion industry, this event will spotlight the transformative ideas brought forth by the cohort, driving further investment and partnership opportunities.

Implications for the Future of Fashion and Retail

The advancements made by these women-led start-ups extend beyond mere business success. Their contributions signify a larger narrative around women in leadership roles within the tech and fashion sectors. The innovative solutions proposed by this cohort tackle some of the industry's most daunting challenges while reinforcing the importance of diversity and inclusion within entrepreneurship.

Building Sustainable Futures

As the fashion industry evolves to meet sustainability and technological demands, initiatives like the NYFTLab are critical. These programs not only empower women entrepreneurs but also promote an inclusive environment vital for fostering creativity and innovation. By coupling technology with fashion, this year's cohort intends to carve out a more sustainable future for retail—one that responds adeptly to the demands of modern consumers.

FAQ

What is the New York Fashion Tech Lab (NYFTLab)?

The NYFTLab is an organization focused on nurturing women-led B2B technology start-ups to innovate and transform the fashion and retail industries. It connects these businesses with resources, mentorship, and partners.

Who are the 2025 cohort companies?

The 2025 cohort comprises six start-ups: Slip, LiquiDonate, Vody, Athena Studio, Spangle AI, and KSI Vision, each focusing on diverse aspects of technology within fashion and retail.

When does the NYFTLab program take place?

The program is a 12-week immersion that runs from mid-March to mid-June 2025, culminating in a showcase event on June 17.

What topics are the cohort companies addressing?

The 2025 cohort focuses on critical areas such as sustainability in the fashion industry, personalized customer experiences, optimized product development, and utilizing AI for customer insights.

How does participation in the NYFTLab benefit these start-ups?

Participation provides access to mentorship, networking opportunities, and resources essential for business growth and product development, enabling them to better navigate the competitive landscape of fashion tech.

The NYFTLab not only represents a beacon of hope for women in technology but also drives the future narrative of fashion—one where innovation and sustainability can harmoniously coexist.