Fibarcode is a fiber-based, embedded textile labeling technology that enables durable authentication, traceability, and end-of-use data management across the entire product life cycle—while minimizing disruption to recycling processes.
Fibarcode’s core technology—an engineered optical structure integrated directly into textile fibers—serves as a unique, indelible identifier that can be woven or knitted into fabrics using standard manufacturing processes.
Over 200 customer discovery interviews (conducted during and after the NSF I-Corps program) revealed critical pain points in the apparel resale and recycling ecosystem:
- Manual identification bottlenecks
Resale programs rely on trained experts to characterize incoming items, slowing throughput and increasing costs. - High-value items lost in sorting
Facilities like Goodwill report moderate- to high-value garments routinely sold at low per-weight prices due to insufficient item information and sorter experience. - Labeling failures
A recent Fashion for Good report found that >30% of post-consumer items lack readable labels, and >40% of existing labels are inaccurate.
Without reliable item-level data, brands and sorters cannot automatically access critical information such as authenticity, original MSRP, and material composition. Fibarcode solves this by embedding machine-readable, durable identifiers directly into the fabric itself—enabling fast, accurate identification from manufacture through post-consumer sorting and recycling.
Core Team
- Dr. Iezzi – Founder
>10 years in textile R&D, including durability testing for Gore-Tex and launching physical traceability solutions at Parkdale Mills (largest U.S. spun yarn manufacturer). - Dr. Mars Harvey – CTO
Textile designer and knitting/weaving expert with a recent PhD in Fiber and Polymer Science. Former product development roles at outdoor gear manufacturers (Diamond Brand). Leads integration of Fibarcode into existing textile processes. - Molly Renaud – Lead Data Scientist
>7 years applying AI/ML to corporate data management; previously led campaigns that identified $76M in savings for a Fortune 100 company.
Supported by a growing advisory network, including Dr. Julie Willoughby (former Director of Manufacturing Innovation at Nike).
Fibarcode is executing through strategic partnerships and a focused initial market strategy.
Current Partnerships & Traction
- GS1 US
Collaboration with the global standards organization behind UPCs. - Outdoor gear manufacturer
Joint pilot to improve resale and recycling efficiency. - CFDA/Swarovski RE:Generation Innovation Fund
Selected as finalist, expanding exposure in luxury fashion. - Raw material suppliers & toll manufacturers
Relationships in place for rapid scaling.
Target Market & Pricing
Initial focus: 159 performance/outdoor apparel brands with existing resale programs (~100M items/year, ~$1.2B market).
- Product
~1 meter of Fibarcode per item (2–3% composition). - Initial pricing
COGS ~$0.25/item → sold at $0.30/item (comparable to traditional labels). - Long-term target (2029)
COGS $0.05/item → revenue $0.10/item. - Additional revenue
Scanning hardware ($500–$1,000/unit) + software subscription $50/SKU/year.
Fibarcode’s complete solution (embedded label + scanner + software) creates multiple value streams:
- Increased garment value
Brand partner estimates $20 average uplift per item through enhanced circular storytelling and direct consumer engagement. - ESG reporting enablement
Accurate quantification of items flowing to resale, repair, and recycling. - Upstream manufacturer incentive
Fabric mills can integrate Fibarcode and sell higher-value pre-labeled rolls, eliminating downstream labeling steps.
Direct customers are fabric and garment manufacturers serving major brands; solution sold B2B directly to manufacturers and their brand partners.
Investment Ask
Fibarcode is raising a $500,000 pre-seed round in Fall 2026 to complement ~$2.3M in non-dilutive funding already secured.
Use of Proceeds
| Priority | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Sales & Marketing Team | Build dedicated go-to-market capabilities and negotiate co-branding opportunities with major brands. |
| Intellectual Property Protection | File non-provisional patents (1 licensed from UM/MIT, 2 provisionals already filed), trademarks, and trade secrets. |
Low-capex model enabled by toll-manufacturing partnerships minimizes upfront costs. Combined with recent NSF STTR Fast Track award (first ever to a Tennessee company) and conditional runway through 2028, this round will drive customer acquisition, early revenue, and IP value creation.
Current TRL 4: Manufacturing process demonstrated, fiber successfully integrated into woven fabrics, and proprietary scanning system prototyped with functional software interface.
Key Achievements
- Demonstrated live scanning at Advanced Functional Fabrics of America summit.
- Three patent applications filed/licensed (UM + MIT).
- Transitioning to continuous manufacturing at ORNL’s Carbon Fiber Technology Facility to reduce costs.
- Bio-based fiber development funded by $75K FIBR-Tech grant (customer-driven for lower embodied carbon).
First commercial pilot targeted for completion by Q2 2026.
Fibarcode has secured ~$2.3M in non-dilutive funding:
| Source | Amount | Type |
|---|---|---|
| NSF STTR Fast Track | $1.555M | Grant |
| DOE Innovation Crossroads (ORNL) | ~$500K | Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship |
| NC Textile Innovation Engine FIBR-Tech | $75K | Grant (with UT Knoxville) |
| LaunchTN SBIR Prep Microgrant | $1.5K | Grant |
| UT Spark Cleantech Accelerator | $5K | Prototyping Grant |
| NC State Wilson College Pitch to the Pack | $1K | Award |
| Michigan DEGLE Circular/Harvest Grants | $48K | Grant |
| U-M Graham Sustainability Catalyst | $10K | Grant |
| U-M College of Engineering ETR | $10K | Award |
| MEDC Advanced Materials MTRAC | $50K | Grant |
| Ann Arbor SPARK Accelerator | $15K | Grant |
