London-based startup ZERØTEC has raised £642,000 in pre-seed funding to tackle one of fashion’s biggest sustainability challenges: fabric waste. Every year, more than 60 billion metres of fabric—worth over $300 billion—are discarded before garments ever reach consumers. ZERØTEC aims to change that by using artificial intelligence to optimise pattern design and fabric cutting, helping brands save up to 15% on material costs while dramatically reducing waste.
The funding round was led by Bethnal Green Ventures, joined by SFC Capital, SCE Freiraum Ventures, Cranfield University Seed Fund, and angel investor Benjamin Manwaring. The investment will accelerate product development, team expansion, and pilot programs with global fashion brands striving for greater efficiency and sustainability.
AI-Powered Pattern Optimisation
Founded in 2025 by Nicholas Betts, a former sustainability consultant, ZERØTEC focuses on eliminating waste at the design stage, rather than after production. “We’re on a mission to solve one of fashion’s most critical problems with patented AI solutions that deliver real material benefits,” Betts said. “Our platform helps brands embrace sustainability, cut costs, and bring transparency to the true impact of our clothes.”
Unlike existing CAD and design software from LECTRA, Gerber Technologies, OPTITEX, CLO3D, or AutoCAD, ZERØTEC’s proprietary system rethinks the entire process around waste prevention. By reshaping patterns before cutting begins, the platform ensures that every square metre of fabric is used as efficiently as possible.
Industry Response and Future Plans
The platform has already caught the attention of over 250 fashion brands, including several Fortune 500 companies, signaling a shift toward smarter and more sustainable production methods.
Paul Miller OBE of Bethnal Green Ventures praised the startup’s disruptive approach: “ZERØTEC turns the problem of waste in the fashion industry on its head. By designing out waste from the start, they’re building something truly revolutionary.”
Looking ahead, ZERØTEC plans to expand across Europe and the MENA region, enhance its R&D capabilities, and strengthen partnerships with global manufacturers. The company’s long-term goal is to help the industry eliminate 500 million kilograms of carbon emissions and onboard 50,000 users worldwide.
As the pressure for sustainability mounts, ZERØTEC’s innovation could redefine how garments are made — proving that AI-driven design is the next frontier for circular fashion.
