Unspun has new funding to help scale its Walmart-approved 3D weaving technology, Vega, in Europe.
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On Monday, the Oakland, Calif.-based fashion tech firm announced $32 million in an oversubscribed Series B funding round to rapidly scale the technology. The round was led by DCVC, with participation from Lowercarbon Capital, E12, Decathlon and SOSV. With this funding, Unspun plans to scale its operations through licensing its technology to established manufacturing partners in Europe.
Vega addresses several of the fashion industry’s challenges including on-demand production , nearshoring and overconsumption.
The high-performing jacquard machines takes thousands of yarns and weaves them into garments in minutes, allowing for almost zero-waste, on-demand manufacturing. The machines can create woven garments using almost any yarn. Additionally, because 3D weaving shortens supply chains and lead times, brands and manufacturers can plug these machines into existing supply chains for localized and automated production.
The current generation of the machines is focused on producing high quality outputs for bottoms. They also create bags and hats. Unspun said future generations of the machines will expand into performance categories, outerwear, shoes, tops, and dresses.
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With circularity in mind, Unspun is also developing products and manufacturing techniques that allow for garments to be unspun back into yarns, and re-woven into new products.
“Unspun offers a tremendous economic and logistical unlock for the fashion industry by eliminating costly overproduction and radically shortening the supply chain. We think it’s good business to align profits and climate impact and are excited to help Unspun revolutionize the way clothing is made,” said Milo Werner, general partners at DCVC, who will join Unspun’s Board of Directors.
Unspun introduced Vega in 2023 as the world’s first 3D weaving technology for apparel, following the close of a $14 million Series A. Eckhaus Latta became the first brand to use Vega last fall at New York Fashion Week. In March, the company launched a pilot project with Walmart to produce 3D woven workwear pants. The project aims to localize parts of Walmart’s manufacturing and promote a higher level of supply chain traceability in North America.
“Overproduction has long been a taboo in fashion. It is now recognized by top-tier climate-funds as a key issue to urgently solve for the industry,” said Walden Lam, Unspun CEO. “We are overwhelmed with the enthusiasm, and excited to be partnering with DCVC, Lowercarbon, SOSV climate, Decathlon and many commercial partners to urgently scale Vega to localize apparel manufacturing across North America and Europe.”
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