Insider Brief
- Softwear Automation raises $20M Series B1 to scale Sewbot autonomous sewing systems, targeting modernization of the $1.1T apparel manufacturing industry.
- Funding led by Bestseller’s Invest FWD with participation from existing investors, and CFO Thomas Børglum Jensen joining Softwear’s board to advance sustainable, demand-driven production.
- Capital will expand product lines, enter new markets, and scale manufacturing capacity, aiming to reduce waste, cut lead times, and bring production closer to consumers.
Softwear Automation has raised $20 million in a Series B1 funding round to accelerate the rollout of its autonomous sewing technology, Sewbot, the companies announced. The round was led by Danish fashion company Bestseller through its innovation and investment platform, Invest FWD, with participation from existing backers including CTW Venture Partners, SRI Capital, and MacDonald Ventures.
According to the company, the Atlanta-based robotics firm is targeting one of the most labor-intensive sectors of global manufacturing: sewn goods. Its Sewbot system uses robotics, machine vision, and artificial intelligence to automate t-shirt production, reducing waste, shortening delivery times, and lowering costs. By enabling production closer to consumers, the technology also offers potential environmental benefits through reduced transportation emissions.
Bestseller, whose brands include Jack & Jones, Vero Moda, and Only, views the investment as part of its broader push to modernize its supply chain and improve sustainability. Thomas Børglum Jensen, Bestseller’s CFO, will join Softwear Automation’s board as part of the partnership. The companies plan to explore how Sewbot can support more flexible, demand-driven manufacturing, a shift that could reduce overproduction—a persistent challenge in the fashion industry.
According to Softwear Automation, the fresh capital will be used to expand into new product categories and markets, increase research and development, and scale up manufacturing capacity to meet rising interest from apparel makers. The company has positioned Sewbot as a solution to industry pressures for faster turnaround times, transparency, and lower environmental impact.
For Bestseller, the move aligns with its commitment to advancing sustainable practices across its value chain. The company indicated it has been pursuing technologies that can reduce its environmental footprint while increasing responsiveness to shifting consumer demand. The partnership with Softwear Automation offers a potential path toward localized, on-demand production—a model that could cut lead times and reduce excess inventory.
“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, localized, and more sustainable apparel manufacturing,” said Palaniswamy “Raj” Rajan, Chairman and CEO of Softwear Automation.
