What Smartex.ai does

Smartex.ai is a Porto-based AI and computer vision company that builds real-time quality-control systems for circular knitting mills. Its flagship Smartex CORE product combines proprietary hardware (cameras and sensors) with in-house developed computer vision and machine learning models to detect textile defects as fabric is being knitted, triggering automatic machine stops (Golden Stops) to prevent waste. The company has expanded the platform with Smartex FACT (factory management and automatic roll grading) and Smartex LOOP (supply chain traceability for brand-side sustainability reporting), positioning the system as connective tissue across the textile value chain.

The company operates an enterprise SaaS-plus-hardware model, charging quote-based annual subscriptions bundled with proprietary hardware, supplemented by integration services for ERP and MES systems via its open API. Revenue is generated through direct enterprise sales to textile manufacturers and OEM embedding agreements with circular knitting machinery makers (Terrot, Unitex, Vahdet, Norsel), enabling distribution of Smartex CORE pre-integrated into new machines. Named customers include Polopiqué, Familitex, A. Sampaio, and Yeşim Group, with brand-side co-development work involving Kering, PVH, and Pangaia via Fashion for Good.

Smartex has raised more than $40 million in funding, including a $24.7 million Series A led by Lightspeed Venture Partners in November 2022, with backing from H&M Group, Amazon, DCVC, Tony Fadell's Build Collective, and several deep-tech and textile-focused funds. The company has also secured substantial non-dilutive EU grant funding across Horizon 2020, Portugal Recovery Plan, and multiple textile digitalization programs. Following the March 2023 acquisition of Turkish AI startup Tuvis, Smartex opened a technology center in Istanbul, expanding its footprint into Turkey as a major textile hub. The company employs more than 140 people and has deployed 1,000+ devices across 100+ factories globally.

Name

Smartex.ai

Legal name

Smartex Europe, Unipessoal, Lda.

Website

https://smartex.ai

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Smartex.ai is a Porto-based AI and computer vision company that builds real-time defect-detection and traceability systems for circular knitting mills, sold as enterprise SaaS plus proprietary hardware and distributed through direct sales and OEM partnerships with machinery manufacturers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial AI Quality Control Systems

NAICS

Knit Fabric Mills (31324), Apparel Knitting Mills (3151), Narrow Fabric Mills and Schiffli Machine Embroidery (313220), Narrow Fabric Mills and Schiffli Machine Embroidery (31322)

SIC

Knitting Mills (2250), Broadwoven Fabric Mills, Man Made Fiber & Silk (2221)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Vision & Quality Inspection (HDAAAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wearable Computers (Industrial Smart Glasses/Wrist/Arm-Mount) (HDACALAH), Machine Vision & Industrial Imaging Systems (IMAHAHAE), Smart & Conductive E-Textiles (Heated Textiles/Sensors/EMI Shielding/Antistatic) (IMAOADAM)

Keywords

• Textile quality inspection
• AI defect detection
• Computer vision manufacturing
• Circular knitting machines
• Fabric quality control

Headquarters

HQ city

Porto

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. SaaS Subscription: Online software as a service (SaaS) subscription model with hardware components. The system is sold as a retrofit solution for existing textile machines, with ongoing software subscription fees for AI-powered defect detection and analytics.
2. Hardware Sales: Proprietary hardware (cameras, sensors, tablets) sold as part of the integrated defect detection system.
3. Integration Services: Professional services for ERP and MES system integrations, implementation, and technical support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Smartex.ai develops and sells AI-driven computer vision systems for real-time textile defect detection during circular knitting machine production. The company sells an integrated hardware-plus-software solution (Smartex CORE) that is retrofitted to existing open-width and tubular knitting machines, combined with a digital factory management platform (Smartex FACT) and a supply chain traceability solution (Smartex LOOP). The offering is targeted at textile manufacturers and fashion brands seeking automated quality control, waste reduction, and supply chain transparency.

Product overview

Smartex.ai offers a unified platform architecture called the Smartex System, consisting of three core interconnected products: Smartex CORE (AI-powered real-time defect detection hardware/software system for circular knitting machines), Smartex FACT (digital factory management and analytics platform), and Smartex LOOP (supply chain traceability and roll tracking solution). The system combines custom hardware with AI-driven software to provide end-to-end quality control, production optimization, and transparency across the textile manufacturing process.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Smartex CORE: AI-driven system for real-time defect detection during open-width and tubular Circular Knitting Machine production.
• Smartex FACT
• Smartex LOOP

Products and services

• Smartex CORE AI-driven system that enables real-time defect detection during open-width and tubular circular knitting machine production. Uses computer vision, machine learning, and AI to identify fabric defects as they occur and trigger machine stops (Golden Stops) to prevent waste. The system is machine-agnostic and can be retrofitted into any existing circular knitting machine. It includes proprietary European-manufactured cameras, sensors, and tablets as the hardware component combined with in-house developed AI software.
• Smartex FACT Digital factory management platform providing automated performance insights, real-time visibility into production, Automatic Roll Grading based on AI-detected defects, and instant production notifications. Includes Digital Factory Page, My Machines Page, My Rolls Page, and Real-time Notifications accessible via desktop or smartphone. Grade-A rolls receive Fast Track label for immediate shipping.
• Smartex LOOP Supply chain traceability solution that tracks textile rolls through the production process, ensures no roll swaps occur, and provides quality records for supply chain communication between suppliers and brands. Supports sustainability claims verification for EU CSRD and Digital Product Passport compliance.
• Smartex API Secure API enabling bidirectional integrations with customers' ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) for two-way data exchange. Enables factories to send production orders and fabric type data to Smartex and receive machine stoppage data and fault types from Smartex. Supports ten information system integrations for several customers with more planned.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduces defect rate from typical 5% to near 0%
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• TerrotcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerGerman circular knitting machine manufacturer integrating Smartex CORE AI systems into new machines. Exhibited together at ITMA 2023.
• UnitexmajorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerTextile machinery manufacturer exhibiting Smartex technology integration at industry events.
• VahdetmajorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerTurkish textile machinery manufacturer partnered with Smartex for AI-enabled production.
• NorselmajorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerMachinery manufacturer exhibiting Smartex integration at ITMA 2023.
• Kering Group (Gucci, Balenciaga)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor luxury fashion group working with Smartex on traceability and quality verification projects. Supported by Fashion for Good.
• PVH (Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor fashion group collaborating on supply chain quality and traceability initiatives with Smartex.
• PangaiamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainable fashion brand working with Smartex on traceability solutions.
• AWS / Amazon Web ServicesmajorTechnology or IntegrationSelected for Compute for Climate Fellowship providing up to $1.5 million in AWS credits for climate tech startups.
• Tintex TextilesmajorTechnology or IntegrationPortuguese textile company participating in the Modern Textile Factory committee and industry initiatives.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smartex-ai
• Xx.com/Smartex_AI
• Facebookfacebook.com/smartexai

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds6 records

Investors14 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Smartex.ai