The Times Australia
News From Asia

.

The Mills Fabrica Celebrates Five Years of Accelerating Techstyle and Agrifood Innovations

Investing up to USD 3M per startup – and in search for more

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 9 May 2023 - The Mills Fabrica celebrates five years of accelerating innovations, development, and adoption in the categories of techstyle (the intersection between technology and lifestyle) and agrifood tech.

Fabrica Lab_2.jpg

The Mills Fabrica itself was grown out of Nan Fung Group's textile legacy in Hong Kong, with a mission to catalyze innovations for sustainability, environmental and social impact. Today, The Mills Fabrica is made up of a venture capital fund, startup incubator, Impact Retail Store Fabrica X, labs, offices, and event spaces across Hong Kong and London.

The Mills Fabrica focuses on supporting and investing in innovations within the textile and apparel, and agrifood industries as both are significant contributors to climate change, emitting up to 44% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The Mills Fabrica invests up to USD 3M per startup over the past five years, and will continue to do so.

Its presence and connections in Hong Kong and London means that The Mills Fabrica is uniquely able to add value for those who are looking to tap into the potential of Asia, as well as bringing Asian companies onto the global arena through its capital, connections, and expertise.

Supported more than 35 techstyle and agrifood tech startups through its investment and incubation program

Since its inception in 2018, The Mills Fabrica has supported 35 of such innovations as part of its investment and incubation program. It invested in startups and fund investments across the world (US, Europe, Asia), where over 50% of The Mills Fabrica investees receive successful subsequent fundraising.

With an aim to make positive impact across the value chains of the textile and apparel, and agrifood industries, The Mills Fabrica has invested up to USD 3M per global techstyle startup over the past five years such as Renewcell, Circ, Colorifix, and unspun; and into agrifood tech startups such as Michroma, Geltor, The Supplant Company, amongst others.

Aside from capital, The Mills Fabrica has also provided support for startups by utilizing its team of global industry experts and connections to manufacturers, retailers, and other like-minded investors.

Caption

Launches Impact Report to advocate for measurable planet-positive investment standards

To mark five years of setting up a venture capital fund that strives to make planet-positive changes, The Mills Fabrica launches its inaugural Impact Report outlining its investment strategy, to raise awareness, and celebrate innovations in the techstyle and agrifood industries. With the launch of the report, The Mills Fabrica aims to take a first step in consolidating standards on measuring how investments can bring in positive environmental and social impact.

The Mills Fabrica's Impact Report advocates for using the nine planetary boundaries as outlined by the Stockholm Resilience Center (climate change, biosphere integrity, land-system change, freshwater use, biogeochemical flows, ocean acidification, novel entities, atmospheric aerosol loading, and stratospheric ozone depletion) and the IRIS+ framework, the generally accepted system for measuring, managing, and optimizing investment and support — to generate genuine planet-positive changes.

It leads by example by evaluating case studies from its portfolio companies, breaking down key impact metrics according to the nine planetary boundaries and IRIS+ framework – to showcase how its investments translated to positive environmental and social impact. Taking one of the portfolio companies Circ as an example, its pioneered chemical recycling technology that can recycle polycotton — what the majority of clothes are made of — into reusable fibers, has recycled 41 tonnes of materials, which is equivalent of 66 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e). It also launched a collection with Zara in April 2023 to bring sustainable fashion to the masses.

In search of talented innovators worldwide: Ticket size up to USD 3M for direct investments

The Mills Fabrica will be ramping up its efforts in supporting sustainable and disruptive innovations in the techstyle and agrifood tech space, with a ticket size of up to USD 3M for direct investments. It also looks to continue to partner with mission-aligned venture capital funds to accelerate planet-positive impact.

It's also calling out for partners from all sectors and around the world who are keen on joining in on this mission.

"The Mills Fabrica is proud to support such visionaries with our capital, connections, and expertise to bring their ideas to the market and into the homes of masses. We are humbled by the achievement we reached in the past five years, and grateful for the support of our ecosystem partners as we work towards our mission of accelerating innovations for sustainability, environmental and social impact." Cintia Nunes, General Manager and Head of Asia, The Mills Fabrica.

"Riding on this strong momentum, we are now calling for talented entrepreneurs with ambitions to change the world for the better in the techstyle and agrifood tech categories to join us. With your vision and unique expertise, we can together work towards achieving real planet-positive changes."

Hong Kong Open Day to showcase space and lab offerings to the public

As part of a series of events celebrating its five year anniversary, The Mills Fabrica will be hosting its first-ever Open Day at its Hong Kong headquarters to showcase its community and expand the awareness for sustainable fashion and agrifood tech industry.

On May 19-20, 2023, startups, entrepreneurs, individual designers, corporates, students and education institutes are welcome to tour and experience Fabrica Lab, The Mills Fabrica's office spaces, facilities, community offerings and more.

Fabrica Lab Workshops will be open to the public to provide hands-on experiences of The Mills Fabrica's cutting edge equipment – from sewing, laser cutting and embroidery machines, to 3D printing and body scanners.

Through the experience, entrepreneurs and prospective incubatees can discover ways in which The Mills Fabrica can foster educational exchanges, business development, and connections with like-minded people who are looking to push the frontier of a more sustainable world through tech.

Hashtag: #TheMillsFabrica

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About The Mills Fabrica

The Mills Fabrica is a go-to solutions platform accelerating techstyle and agrifood tech innovations for sustainability. Officially launched in Hong Kong in December 2018, The Mills is a landmark revitalization project by the Nan Fung Group, transforming their old textile factories into a new heritage, experiential retail, and innovation centre. With its venture capital fund, business incubator, spaces in Hong Kong and London, and ecosystem-building initiatives, The Mills Fabrica aims to create success stories of collaborations between innovators, entrepreneurs, and corporates, that together, will drive positive change for future generations.

Times Magazine

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Times Features

Tricia Paoluccio designer to the stars

The Case for Nuturing Creativity in the Classroom, and in our Lives I am an actress and an artist who has had the privilege of sharing my work across many countries, touring my ...

Duke of Dural to Get Rooftop Bar as New Owners Invest in Venue Upgrade

The Duke of Dural, in Sydney’s north-west, is set for a major uplift under new ownership, following its acquisition by hospitality group Good Beer Company this week. Led by resp...

Prefab’s Second Life: Why Australia’s Backyard Boom Needs a Circular Makeover

The humble granny flat is being reimagined not just as a fix for housing shortages, but as a cornerstone of circular, factory-built architecture. But are our systems ready to s...

Melbourne’s Burglary Boom: Break-Ins Surge Nearly 25%

Victorian homeowners are being warned to act now, as rising break-ins and falling arrest rates paint a worrying picture for suburban safety. Melbourne residents are facing an ...

Exploring the Curriculum at a Modern Junior School in Melbourne

Key Highlights The curriculum at junior schools emphasises whole-person development, catering to children’s physical, emotional, and intellectual needs. It ensures early year...

Distressed by all the bad news? Here’s how to stay informed but still look after yourself

If you’re feeling like the news is particularly bad at the moment, you’re not alone. But many of us can’t look away – and don’t want to. Engaging with news can help us make ...