#ITMA 2027

2026-05-21

Last chance to apply: ITMA 2027 Start-Up Valley closes tomorrow

Applications for the Start-Up Valley at ITMA 2027 close tomorrow. The initiative connects emerging textile technology companies with manufacturers, brands and investors from across the global textile industry. © 2026 ITMA 2027

Applications for the Start-Up Valley at ITMA 2027 close tomorrow, offering young technology companies the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of several successful participants from the 2023 edition. The initiative, organised under the CEMATEX Start-Up Grant programme, has already helped a number of textile start-ups accelerate their transition from early-stage concepts to industrial partnerships, funding rounds and commercial deployment.

At ITMA 2023, 15 start-ups were selected to present their technologies to manufacturers, brands, investors and technology partners from across the global textile value chain. Several of these companies have since achieved significant commercial and industrial progress.

Among them is COLOURizd, developer of the QuantumCOLOUR™ dyeing technology. Following its participation at ITMA 2023, the company expanded mill trials, secured new partnerships and accelerated industrial-scale evaluations. According to CEO Jennifer Thompson, the exhibition created direct access to decision-makers and resulted in more than 300 relevant industry contacts.

Another participant, sewts, secured a €7 million Series A financing round shortly after the exhibition. The Munich-based company develops AI-supported robotic systems for textile handling processes in industrial laundries, targeting one of the last largely manual areas within automated laundry operations.

Meanwhile, Swiss traceability specialist Haelixa continued scaling its DNA-based fibre tracing technology and secured additional funding in early 2026. The company also achieved industrial integration through cooperation with Barmag, now part of the Rieter Group, embedding traceability directly into fibre production processes.

The examples underline how Start-Up Valley has evolved beyond a pure showcase format into a platform supporting industrial validation, investment and market entry for emerging textile technologies.

For ITMA 2027, 20 selected start-ups will receive a subsidised exhibition package including pavilion exposure, international visibility and direct access to global textile industry stakeholders.

The programme targets companies working in areas such as advanced materials, automation, digitalisation and sustainability.

Apply for Start-Up Valley at ITMA 2027

ITMA 2027: Exhibitors can now apply for ITMA 2027 stand space

Stand space application is now open for ITMA 2027. The 7-day exhibition will be held at Messegelaende Hannover, Germany from 16 to 22 September 2027. Featuring the theme Co-creating the Future of Textiles, the exhibition is expected to bring together global leaders and innovators to shape the industry’s future.

Hanover gears up to welcome ITMA participants after three decades

The city of Hanover is eagerly waiting to welcome participants of the world’s largest textile and garment technology exhibition - ITMA 2027. The exhibition will be held from 16 to 22 September 2027. It is expected to gross 200,000 square metres, occupying 13 exhibition halls at the Messegelaende Hannover.

Mario Jorge Machado re-elected President of EURATEX

The EURATEX General Assembly has re-elected Mario Jorge Machado as President of EURATEX, renewing its confidence in his leadership at a crucial moment for the European textile and clothing industry. The sector is facing rising costs, global competitive pressure and an increasingly challenging transition towards sustainability and digitalisation.

ITM 2026 makes happy participants with its international and qualified visitor profile

ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition, one of the most prestigious meeting points of the textile machinery sector, attracted attention in its first three days, particularly with its diverse international visitor numbers. Industry professionals from all over the world had the opportunity to closely examine the latest technology machines and solutions displayed in operation. Thousands of visitors from approximately 100 countries, primarily Egypt, Pakistan, India, Uzbekistan, Syria, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, met at the Tüyap Fair and Congress Center for new investment and cooperation opportunities.

KARL MAYER presents a textile TEXTRONIC® innovation at ITM 2026

With highly efficient machines and continuous textile innovations, KARL MAYER underscores its role as a reliable partner for discerning top-tier customers. Just in time for ITM 2026 in Istanbul, the industry leader is introducing a true innovation: an eyelash lace with its characteristic fringed look – combined with a previously unattainable 4-way stretch. While the established fabric could until now only be produced as rigid version or with one-dimensional stretch, the new elasticity in both dimensions expands the possibilities for cross-band panel fabrics.