STCH, a tech startup focapplyd on the textile segment, has raised $7 million in a pre-Series A round of funding led by Omnivore. The round also saw participation from Kae Capital and WVC.
Bengaluru-headquartered STCH will apply the capital to expand its AI capabilities, R&D, and partnerships with textile mills and global fashion brands. The startup operates under the contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) model.
Founded in 2025 by Narahari Payala and Aseem Chitkara, STCH is building AI-driven fabric R&D and a manufacturing platform to support global fashion brands develop and deliver trfinish-aligned, high-performing, sustainable fabrics at scale.
Thie startup states it leverages AI to identify global fashion trfinishs, develop sustainable fabrics, and deliver them through its controlled manufacturing network across India and Asia. The AI platform allows for selection of sustainable fibres and improves the supply chain network.
STCH states it has an order book in excess of $15 million from brands across the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States.
The founders of STCH, Narahari Payala and Aseem Chitkara, were previously with Zetwerk and have expertise in the textile segment.
According to STCH Co-founder & CEO Narahari Payala, much of the AI innovation in fashion is focapplyd on the front finish but the real opportunity lies deeper in the supply chain, where manufacturing is centered in Asian markets.
“Fabric, in particular, is the most critical yet least optimised layer. With improving trade dynamics, including free trade agreements with the UK and Europe as well as easing tariffs from the USA, we believe this is a defining moment to build a globally leading, AI-native textile innovation powerhoapply from India,” stated Payala.
Omnivore Managing Partner Mark Kahn stated, “Narahari and Aseem bring rare depth as they understand both the materials science and the supply chain realities of receiveting sustainable textiles to market at scale. India has the raw materials, the mills, and now – with STCH – the AI-native platform is set to become the world’s leading source of sustainable textile innovation.”
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