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$120,000 in grants will support new materials, products, supply chains, and educational programs across New York State. Program Supported by Empire State Development’s NYSTAR Division to Advance Sustainable Textile Innovation and Strengthen New York’s End-to-End Supply Chain

New York, NY – September 18, 2026 – The New York Fashion Innovation Center (NYFIC), a statewide initiative supported by Governor Kathy Hochul and funded through Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR), today announced the recipients of the fourth round of its grant program. Twelve grantees will each receive up to $10,000 to advance projects spanning agriculture, material innovation, circular design, product development, education, and workforce development.

The projects reflect the breadth of New York’s growing sustainable textile ecosystem. Grantees will develop new uses for wool, flax, hemp, mycelium, algae-cellulose, agricultural byproducts, and reclaimed textiles while strengthening connections among farms, researchers, manufacturers, designers, students, and communities across the state.

The Round Four Grantees are:

• Adrienne Carlile, Flax Fiber Farm (Cochecton, NY) – Adapting existing small-scale mill equipment to spin New York-grown flax and hemp, producing four prototype bast fiber yarns and addressing a critical gap in the regional fiber supply chain.

• Luca Cera, Finiks Forge, Inc. (Brooklyn, NY) – Extracting keratin from wool waste generated by New York farms, mills, and processors to develop regenerated fibers for yarn and other textile applications.

• Li Jiang, Lihong Lao, Syracuse University (Syracuse, NY) – Converting low-grade New York wool into BioWool batting and liners for quilted garments and bags through interdisciplinary design, engineering, and student collaboration.

• Mama Farm LLC (Brookhaven, NY) – Launching an immersive farm-to-fiber program connecting New York fashion and textile students with fiber animals, land stewardship, natural materials, and regional supply chains.

• Julian McCleary, The BAD JUJU Design (Manhattan, NY) – Transforming reclaimed and deadstock textiles from New York waste streams into upcycled apparel and accessories, supported by community sewing workshops and circular fashion education.

• Flora Montes, Bronx Fashion NYC (Bronx, NY) – Expanding Fashion Redefined, a hands-on sustainable fashion and workforce development program introducing Bronx youth to upcycling, ethical design, styling, and creative career pathways.

• Claire Moore, LowLou (Brooklyn, NY) – Expanding the production and commercialization of sauna hats made from New York-grown and processed wool, opening a new market for regional fiber within the growing wellness industry.

• Aradhita Parasrampuria, Cellsense (Brooklyn, NY) – Producing two commercial capsule collections featuring compostable algae-cellulose beads and embellishments as scalable, plastic-free alternatives to conventional sequins and beaded textiles.

• Claire Repsholdt, Hog Farm LLC (Brookhaven, NY) – Building a collaborative Long Island wool supply chain to transform locally raised fiber into artisanal home textiles and reconnect the community with the region’s agricultural and textile heritage.

• Lisa Strubel, Flock & Loom, LLC (Mechanicville, NY) – Launching a limited-edition collection of proprietary patterned blankets made with wool grown and woven in New York, establishing a foundation for a locally sourced home textiles brand.

• Danielle Trofe, MushLume Lighting (Brooklyn, NY) – Developing and testing a mycelium-based acoustic wall system using hemp, New York agricultural byproducts, and regenerative wool for non-toxic, compostable interiors.

• Kristi Wiedemann, Kristi Wiedemann, LLC (Delmar, NY) – Studying New York sheep farms to identify barriers and opportunities for incorporating more of the state's wool into its textile supply chain and for expanding certification of environmental land management practices.

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Under Governor Hochul's leadership, New York is investing in entrepreneurs who are reimagining what's possible with materials grown, developed, and made across our state. These twelve grantees are proving that wool from a Long Island flock or flax from the Catskills can become a finished product designed and manufactured right here — and that's how we turn a good idea into jobs, businesses, and a supply chain that stays in New York.”

Susan Easton, Product & Marketing Director of NYFIC, said, “This round is about turning overlooked materials into opportunity. From low-grade wool and farm byproducts to algae and mycelium, these grantees are creating the products, markets, and connections New York’s textile industry needs to grow.”

Beyond funding, Grantees receive access to:

• Mentorship from NYFIC’s statewide consortium, including Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), SUNY Morrisville, Hudson Valley Textile Project (HVTP), Made X Hudson, and The Field to Fiber Company.

• Resources and sourcing connections to New York farms, mills, designers, and manufacturers, including support through the Northeast Fiber Exchange (NEFX).

• Business development support, including NYFIC’s three-month accelerator focused on customer discovery, business planning, and go-to-market strategy.

• Opportunities to showcase work at NYFIC-hosted events and statewide industry gatherings.

• Access to the NYFIC Lab at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for fiber and textile prototyping, testing, and development, opening to the public in Fall 2026.

NYFIC encourages designers, manufacturers, farmers, and researchers across New York State to stay engaged through future funding opportunities, workshops, and public events.

For more information about NYFIC’s grant program, visit www.nyfic.org/grants.

Media Contact:
Susan Easton
Product & Marketing Director
347-524-5488
susan.easton@nyfic.org

About the New York Fashion Innovation Center
The New York Fashion Innovation Center (NYFIC), a statewide initiative supported by Governor Kathy Hochul, created and funded through Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR), seeks to expand the use of renewable animal, plant, and bio-manufactured fibers in the fashion industry, and bolster a resilient farm-to-fashion ecosystem throughout New York State, fostering innovation and sustainability in the sector.

Through its consortium member organizations—including Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Hudson Valley Textile Project (HVTP), Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) - part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system, Made X Hudson, SUNY Morrisville, and The Field to Fiber Company—NYFIC strengthens the textile ecosystem, champions sustainable practices, and supports the development of a resilient local supply chain. 

For more information, visit nyfic.organd follow us on LinkedIn.

About Empire State Development

Empire State Development is New York's chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state's 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state's world class tourism destinations through I LOVE NY. For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook and X.

About ESD’s Division of Science, Technology, and Innovation (NYSTAR)

Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology, and Innovation – known as NYSTAR – advances technology innovation and commercialization in New York State.

NYSTAR offers programs that assist companies from start-up through maturity, leveraging the state’s unparalleled investment in world-class technology assets and expertise. It provides about $70 million annually in funding to support over 80 centers that provide direct assistance to New York State companies — a network of vital assets for enabling technology — and manufacturing-led growth and job creation. NYSTAR and its partners are proud to contribute to New York’s leadership in the global innovation economy. For more information, visit esd.ny.gov/nystar.