Empowering Change: NYFTLab Unveils Its 2025 Cohort of Women-Led Fashion Tech Startups

Table of Contents

1. Key Highlights
2. Introduction
3. The Role of Women in Fashion Tech
4. Meet the 2025 NYFTLab Cohort
5. The NYFTLab Program: A Catalyst for Success
6. Addressing Industry Challenges: Personalization, Circular Economy, and AI
7. Looking Forward: Implications for the Fashion Industry
8. Conclusion
9. FAQ

Key Highlights

• Innovative Selection: The New York Fashion Tech Lab (NYFTLab) has announced its 2025 cohort featuring six female-led startups revolutionizing the fashion technology landscape.
• Focus Areas: This year's startups are addressing crucial industry challenges such as personalization, AI-driven analytics, circular economy practices, and sustainability.
• Alumni Impact: NYFTLab’s past participants have achieved significant success, providing a strong foundation for this year's chosen startups.

Introduction

As we stand at the intersection of fashion and technology, the stakes have never been higher for innovation. In an era where environmental sustainability and consumer personalization are not just niceties but necessities, the New York Fashion Tech Lab (NYFTLab) has emerged as a crucial player shaping the future of the industry. In March 2025, NYFTLab announced its latest cohort of startups—each a beacon of creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, led by women who are redefining what's possible in fashion tech.

Founded in 2014 by Springboard Enterprises, NYFTLab champions female entrepreneurs aiming to spearhead change within the fashion sector. Each year, the Lab selects a new group of innovative participants to go through an intensive 12-week program that connects them with industry leaders and empowers them to tackle pressing challenges in the retail space.

The Role of Women in Fashion Tech

Historically, the fashion industry has been influenced by a predominately male leadership structure, particularly in technological innovation. However, the past few years have illustrated an expansive shift toward female leadership, especially in tech-focused roles. Women have consistently been at the forefront of developing sustainable practices, improving customer relations, and fostering innovation through technology.

The NYFTLab offers a unique platform for women entrepreneurs to enter this competitive field, acknowledging that diversity leads to better outcomes in business. As Jackie Trebilcock, Managing Director of NYFTLab, notes, "Each year, the selected companies reflect the industry's most pressing priorities, and 2025 is no different. These innovations are more than just trends; they represent real, practical applications that drive efficiency, deepen consumer engagement, and enhance loyalty, all while addressing sustainability for our future."

Meet the 2025 NYFTLab Cohort

The 2025 cohort consists of six groundbreaking companies, each tackling different facets of the fashion industry. Here’s a closer look at these startups:

1. Slip: Founded by Tash Grossman, Slip is a digital receipt platform that aims to enhance post-purchase experiences for consumers by creating personalized engagement across various channels. In an era where e-commerce interactions can often feel disconnected, Slip seeks to bridge this gap by making digital receipts not just practical but also personalized.

2. LiquiDonate: Disney Petit leads LiquiDonate, a platform connecting retailers with unsellable inventory for charitable donations. By donating unsold products, brands can reduce waste while giving back to their communities, streamlining logistics, and providing valuable reporting insights regarding their inventory.

3. Vody: Under the leadership of Stephanie Horbaczewski, Vody utilizes multimodal large language models to translate complex inventory data into consumer-friendly language. This focuses on improving conversion rates without the need for costly migrations, offering retailers a smarter solution for understanding their inventory.

4. Athena Studio: Founded by Heidi Van Dyck, Athena Studio offers real-time visibility for tracking product development workflows across various files and teams. This innovation significantly improves communication and efficiency within the product development lifecycle, ensuring that brands maintain high standards.

5. Spangle AI: Co-led by Karen Moon and Yufeng Gou, Spangle AI provides self-optimizing landing pages powered by AI. This technology aims to drive conversion rates and maximize return on ad spend, overcoming some of the most challenging barriers in online retail.

6. KSI Vision: Guided by Sofia Lemes, KSI Vision leverages existing security camera networks to provide retailers with AI-powered in-store analytics. This innovation offers real-time insights into customer behavior, indirectly enhancing store layouts and product displays based on consumer interaction patterns.

The NYFTLab Program: A Catalyst for Success

The NYFTLab’s incubator program is designed to provide early-stage startups with the mentorship and resources needed to thrive in a competitive environment. Throughout the 12 weeks, startups benefit from tailored advice, networking opportunities with retail leaders, and access to workshops focusing on critical business areas such as funding, marketing, and technology integration.

Numerous NYFTLab alumni have gone on to achieve remarkable milestones, further solidifying the Lab’s reputation as a game-changer in the realm of fashion tech. For example, Obsess, a standout participant in the 2017 cohort, was acquired by Infinite Reality for its innovative approach to creating immersive retail experiences. Similarly, 2024 cohort member Raspberry AI recently secured $24 million in Series A funding, a testament to the Lab's success in fostering growth.

Cheryl Liu, CEO of Raspberry AI, noted, "The NYFTLab immediately partnered us with four incredible brands/retailers, which would have taken us months to sell into. Every week, we presented to an enterprise brand or had a conversation with a mentor who had been in the industry for 10-20 years."

Addressing Industry Challenges: Personalization, Circular Economy, and AI

The selected startups tackle pressing challenges faced by retailers today. The emphasis on personalization, for instance, addresses consumer demand for tailored experiences that align with personal preferences. Data-driven insights provided by technologies like AI enhance customer engagement, driving brand loyalty.

Moreover, the rise of the circular economy has created essential dialogues around sustainability. By integrating these practices, such as those spearheaded by LiquiDonate, brands are not only addressing societal expectations but also reducing the ecological footprint of their operations.

As industry stakeholders increasingly recognize the inseparability of fashion and sustainability, startups like these are paving the way for ethical innovations. “The innovations coming out of NYFTLab are vital for the evolution of the industry,” states Trebilcock. “The future of fashion relies on these new ideas that not only spark enthusiasm but also address real-world concerns.”

Looking Forward: Implications for the Fashion Industry

The launch of the 2025 cohort signifies more than just the introduction of new startups; it represents a paradigm shift in how fashion and technology are intertwined. As digital transformations within the industry accelerate, the marriage of innovative solutions with sustainable practices will be crucial.

Industry experts predict that the trends set by the NYFTLab's 2025 cohort could significantly influence retail strategies not only in the U.S. but on a global scale. As consumer expectations shift towards more personalized, sustainable options, brands that are quick to adapt will undoubtedly reap the rewards.

Additionally, the continued support of large retail partners—including AEO Inc., Gap Inc., and lululemon—demonstrates the importance of collaboration in driving innovation. By providing startups with access to established industry networks, NYFTLab ensures that new ventures can scale rapidly and effectively.

Conclusion

The NYFTLab’s 2025 cohort reaffirms the pivotal role of women entrepreneurs in shaping the future of fashion technology. Through an unwavering commitment to innovation, sustainability, and collaboration, these startups are not only addressing industry challenges but are also setting new standards for what is possible in retail.

As the program embarks on its 12th year, its impact on the fashion world promises to be profound, heralding an era where creativity meets technology in a way that is both responsible and revolutionary.

FAQ

What is NYFTLab?

NYFTLab, or New York Fashion Tech Lab, is an initiative founded in 2014 by Springboard Enterprises that supports women-led startups in the fashion and retail tech sectors. The Lab selects an annual cohort of innovative companies for an intensive program that provides mentorship, resources, and connections within the industry.

Who are the participants in the 2025 cohort?

The 2025 cohort consists of six startups: Slip, LiquiDonate, Vody, Athena Studio, Spangle AI, and KSI Vision. Each of these companies is led by women and focuses on different aspects of innovation in fashion technology.

What are some challenges the cohort aims to tackle?

Startups in the 2025 cohort are focused on solving issues such as personalization in retail, optimizing inventory management through AI, implementing sustainability practices, and enhancing customer experiences through technology.

How can startups benefit from participating in NYFTLab?

Startups gain access to industry connections, mentorship from established leaders, resources tailored towards their business needs, and opportunities to present their innovations to potential investors and partners.

Why is women-led leadership important in the fashion tech sector?

The representation of women in leadership roles drives diversity of thought and fosters innovative approaches to business challenges, reflective of varied consumer bases and values centered around inclusivity and sustainability.

How has NYFTLab alumni impacted the fashion industry?

NYFTLab alumni have achieved significant success, including acquisitions and funding rounds, which demonstrate the effectiveness of the Lab’s program in helping early-stage startups scale their operations and make meaningful contributions to the industry.