Press

New York, NY – Sept 23, 2025 – The New York Fashion Innovation Center (NYFIC), a statewide initiative supported by Governor Kathy Hochul and Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology, and innovation (NYSTAR) today announced the recipients of Round Two of its $10,000 grant program. The awards support farmers, researchers, manufacturers, and designers who are building a more sustainable, resilient, and locally connected textile ecosystem in New York State.

Following the success of its inaugural round earlier this year, which funded eight projects across regenerative home décor, wool dyeing innovation, and regional knitwear manufacturing, NYFIC’s second round continues to accelerate innovation and collaboration across the state’s fashion and interiors industries.

The Round Two Grantees are:

• Michael Battaglia, Lignix (Troy, NY) – Refining a novel, low-impact degumming process for hemp and flax fibers to enable high-quality, New York–grown bast fibers to enter the textile market at scale.

• Laura Foos, Uqnatu (Brooklyn, NY) – Creating a capsule collection of handmade felt garments from New York wool, developed with regional farms and presented in a showroom during New York Fashion Week to highlight local fiber supply chains.

• Rabbit Goody, Thistle Hill Weavers (Cherry Valley, NY) – Introducing a collection of finely woven drapery crafted from New York wool and alpaca for the luxury interiors market, creating new applications and value for regional fibers.

• Daniel Kelleher, Adirondack Field (Lake Placid, NY) – Expanding its line of Climate Beneficial™ New York–grown and –knit apparel with new women’s farm-to-fashion sweaters and ponchos.

• Lynn Mordas, Dashing Star Farm (Millerton, NY) – Launching Project Sheepskin, a design challenge with Marist and Parsons students to turn tanned pelts into sustainable apparel and home goods.

• Karuna Scheinfeld and Mae Fatto, Four Objects (Brooklyn, NY) – Developing a fully New York–sourced and produced carryall bag with Hudson Valley tannery Pergamena, as the foundation for a future capsule collection of New York–made leather accessories.

• Tom Stringham, Genesee Valley Woolworks (East Bethany, NY) – Developing and launching a core-spun rug yarn line using 100% New York wool, with naturally dyed options and DIY kits to open new markets for underutilized fiber.

• Melissa Ventosa Martin, Old Stone Trade (Manhattan, NY) – Producing a fully traceable New York capsule collection with garments handmade from NY-grown fibers in partnership with regional farms, mills, and artisans.

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Through the NYFIC, ESD is supporting the early ideas and small businesses that form the foundation of a stronger textile supply chain. The Round Two grantees represent how targeted investments can spark creativity, test new models, and open the door to sustainable growth and the industry’s expansion across New York State.”

Ken Simons, Director of NYFIC, said, “The diversity of projects in this round reflects the many ways New Yorkers are shaping a sustainable textile future. By connecting agriculture, science, manufacturing, and design, these grantees are not only advancing innovation but also building the stronger ecosystem our state needs to thrive.”

In addition to funding, grantees will receive access to:

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

• Resources and connections to local mills, farms, and designers to support project implementation, along with sourcing assistance through the Northeast Fiber Exchange (NEFX).

• Virtual three-month business accelerator focused on customer discovery, business planning, go-to-market strategy, and brand positioning.

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

• Access to the NYFIC Lab at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, targeted to open December 2025, for fiber and textile prototyping, testing, and development.

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

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

For more information, visit nyfic.org and follow us on Linkedln. 

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

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.NYFIC’s grant program supports researchers, farmers, manufacturers, and designers working to advance sustainable and locally made textiles. The grants catalyze new ideas, encourage collaboration, and strengthen the circular supply chain across the state. This first group of winners reflects the diversity and creativity of New York’s fashion and interior design industries.