While yarn production has long been fully automated, the time may now have come for RMG (ready-made garment) production.

A pioneer in this field is Softwear Automation, a technology innovator which has developed a fully autonomous sewing solution: they are making robots that can sew clothes – called ‘Sewbots’.

Softwear Automation has just announced the successful close of its $20 million Series B1 funding round. The round was led by a strategic investment from BESTSELLER, the Danish fashion company behind brands such as JACK & JONES, VERO MODA, and ONLY. The investment was made through Invest FWD, BESTSELLER's dedicated innovation and investment platform. Current investors also participated in the financing.

From BESTSELLER, CFO Thomas Børglum Jensen states:

As part of the collaboration between Softwear Automation and BESTSELLER, CFO Thomas Børglum Jensen, on behalf of BESTSELLER, joins the board of Softwear Automation.

“This partnership with BESTSELLER and the support from Invest FWD are not just a vote of confidence in our technology — they are a powerful catalyst for the future of on-demand and localised apparel manufacturing,” said Palaniswamy "Raj" Rajan, Chairman and CEO of Softwear Automation.

The funding round aims to accelerate the completion of the robotics technology dedicated to t-shirt production, initiate the scaling of production capacity, and strengthen R&D.

The investment from BESTSELLER's innovation and investment platform, Invest FWD, follows a series of other investments made by BESTSELLER in recent years. In total, BESTSELLER has invested more than DKK 200 million in innovative companies that aim to create the materials of the future and contribute to breakthroughs that can assist in the transformation of the fashion industry.

A significant criterion for the investments is that they not only meet BESTSELLER's needs but also help push the entire fashion industry forward.

"When it comes to transforming the fashion industry, it is necessary with a diversified focus. The fashion industry is still linear, so it is crucial for us to also invest in innovative recycling technologies that can transform the clothes we wear today into new garments for the next generation. We have been doing this for several years, and we will intensify these efforts going forward," says Dorte Rye Olsen, Head of Sustainability at BESTSELLER.
While the fashion industry continues to face challenging conditions, BESTSELLER has succeeded in delivering results that point toward progress in its 2024–2025 financial year. These results create the foundation for accelerating the company’s development and transformation. This happens in the year in which BESTSELLER celebrates its 50th anniversary.
As part of BESTSELLER’s ongoing actions towards integrating textile-to-textile recycled polyester within its supply chain, their leading women’s brand ONLY has transformed a jersey-programme of basic tops to recycled polyester made from textile waste.
The investment from BESTSELLER follows a substantial grant from the EU, ensuring that German innovator matterr is now ready to advance plans on their upcoming factory in a bid to scale polyester recycling. The strategic partnership with matterr is part of BESTSELLER's ongoing investments in the development of future materials.
BESTSELLER is currently in the midst of significant investments across the business – from sustainability initiatives to digitalisation and new market activities in a number of countries where the company aims to expand. To support this development, Line Andrea Fandrup is joining as CFO.
American company Softwear Automation, specialised in automated garment production, secures USD 20 million in a funding round led by the family-owned fashion company BESTSELLER.
Logistics Centre West (LCW) is among the projects nominated at the BREEAM Awards – an annual celebration recognising outstanding achievements in sustainable building design.
With the launch of its first Supply Chain Due Diligence Report, BESTSELLER aims to provide even greater transparency into its sourcing practices and the management of human rights, environmental, and product safety risks.
As the first of its kind within BESTSELLER, the company is incentivising employees for sustainability goals, effective from 2025. The new initiative aims to motivate and accelerate the commitment to collectively transform the industry and bring fashion forward.