Future Fashion Factory

Name

Future Fashion Factory

Legal name

Future Fashion Factory

Website

https://futurefashionfactory.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Textile Research Services

NAICS

Fiber, Yarn, and Thread Mills (31311)

SIC

Knitting Mills (2250), Knit Outerwear Mills (2253)

akta.pro primary industry

Knitwear & Sweaters Manufacturers (CRAAAAAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Fashion & Textile Arts (Sewing, Patternmaking, Knitting, Crochet) (EDAAAGAK)

Keywords

• Textile innovation research
• Sustainable fashion research
• Colour science technology
• Circular textile practices
• Academic fashion partnerships

Headquarters

HQ city

Leeds

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Research Funding and Grants: Future Fashion Factory is funded through co-investment and research grants, primarily from The Clothworkers' Company and the University of Leeds. The £21.1 million co-investment establishes and supports ongoing research activities.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Future Fashion Factory is a research and innovation initiative operating within the Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour (LITAC) at the University of Leeds. It conducts collaborative research and development projects in textile science, colour technology, and sustainable fashion, working with industry, NGOs, and academic partners. The program operates an Industry Network, runs funded R&D projects, organizes showcase events, publishes research reports, and delivers continuing professional education for textile and fashion industry professionals.

Product overview

Future Fashion Factory is a research and innovation program within the Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour (LITAC) at the University of Leeds, focused on advancing sustainable fashion and textile technology. The program operates as a collaborative initiative rather than a commercial product company, organizing annual showcase events (2021-2024), maintaining an industry partner network, conducting funded R&D projects, and publishing research reports on topics including Brexit/COVID-19 impact, sustainable practices, and innovation funding. The program is backed by The Clothworkers' Company and connects academic expertise with industry needs in textile science, colour technology, and fashion innovation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Collaborative R&D Projects Funded collaborative research projects addressing innovation in textile science, colour technology, manufacturing processes, chemical treatments, digital tools, and sustainable/circular practices. Targeted at fashion brands, textile manufacturers, NGOs, and academic institutions seeking research partnerships.
• Continuing Professional Education Professional education programs delivering upskilling and training in textiles, colour science, and fashion innovation for industry professionals and mid-market companies seeking to enhance workforce capabilities.

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of LeedscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for LITAC and Future Fashion Factory. Co-invested £21.1 million alongside The Clothworkers' Company. LITAC operates as a cross-faculty research institute within the School of Design, connecting expert staff and postgraduate researchers across the university.
• Future Fashion Factory Industry Network PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVarious fashion and textile industry companies engaged through the Future Fashion Factory Industry Network for collaborative research and innovation projects.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Shima Seiki: Leading manufacturer of computerised knitting and weaving machines, including 3D weaving technology. Comparable as a technology provider in the knitting and 3D weaving space that FFF's Innovation Centre interacts with for textile manufacturing innovation.

Direct peers

• Hohenstein Institute: German textile research and testing institute with broad industry partnerships. Comparable as a long-standing independent textile research body offering testing, R&D, and innovation services across textile science and applications.
• Swedish School of Textiles (University of Borås): Nordic academic textile research institute with strong industry partnerships and facilities for textile innovation. Directly comparable as a research-intensive textile institute working on advanced materials, knitting/weaving, and sustainable textile processes.
• North Carolina State University - College of Textiles: Major US academic textile research and education institution. Comparable as a university-embedded textile research centre with industry partnerships, advanced facilities, and a focus on textile materials innovation and colour science.
• Royal College of Art - School of Material: Leading UK art and design university with a textiles and materials research programme. Comparable as a UK academic institution driving textile and fashion materials innovation, industry engagement, and postgraduate research output.
• Centre for Sustainable Fashion (London College of Fashion, UAL): UK academic research centre focused on sustainable fashion practice and research. Shares Future Fashion Factory's explicit focus on sustainability, circular economy, and industry-academic collaboration in fashion and textiles.
• Manchester Fashion Institute (Manchester Metropolitan University): UK-based academic research and teaching institute focused on fashion, textiles, and apparel innovation. Directly comparable to Future Fashion Factory as a university-embedded fashion/textile research entity serving industry partnerships and producing research outputs.
• HKRITA (Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel): Government-funded textile research institute focused on sustainability and innovation. Directly comparable as a dedicated textile R&D institute funded by institutional capital, serving fashion and textile industry partnerships.

Others

• Textile Exchange: Global non-profit focused on sustainable fibre and materials adoption in the textile industry. Comparable as an ecosystem player driving sustainability standards and research, but operates as standards/policy body rather than a research institute.
• Fashion for Good: Global sustainable fashion innovation platform backed by major brands. Adjacent peer as it channels industry funding toward textile innovation and sustainability, overlapping with FFF's mission and industry network function.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/future-fashion-factory

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Future Fashion Factory