STCH and AITS Raise Funding in Pre-Series A Rounds

AI Textile Startup STCH Secures USD 5.5 Mn in Pre-Series A Round

STCH, an AI-driven startup focused on fabric development and textile manufacturing, has raised USD 5.5 million in a pre-Series A funding round led by Omnivore, with participation from Kae Capital and WVC.

The funds will be used to strengthen its AI capabilities, set up a dedicated fabric research and development lab, expand manufacturing partnerships, and scale delivery across key markets.

Founded in 2025 by former Zetwerk executives Narahari Payala and Aseem Chitkara, STCH operates as a contract development and manufacturing (CDMO) platform for fashion brands. The startup focuses on fabric innovation and sourcing, rather than consumer-facing AI applications.

Its platform uses AI to analyse product images and descriptions to determine fabric specifications such as texture, weight, and finish. It then enables the recreation of similar materials through local manufacturing partners.

STCH said it can take a fabric from concept to production in about 45 days. The company primarily serves brands in the UK and Europe, with manufacturing carried out through partner factories in India and Bangladesh.

Rysen School Parent AITS Secures USD 4 Mn in Pre-Series A Round

Affordable Innovative Techno Services (AITS), the parent company of Rysen School, has raised USD 4 million in a pre-Series A funding round led by Big Capital and Redbrook Fund. The round also saw participation from Udaan co-founder Sujeet Kumar, Ramakant Sharma, and Roman Saini.

The company said it will use the funds to expand Rysen School’s campus network across emerging cities, strengthen its technology-led learning infrastructure, and scale standardised school operating models.

Founded in 2023 by O.P. Godara, Kapil Arya, Dr. Kapil Jain, and Pritesh Meena, AITS focuses on building scalable K–12 education institutions in Tier II and Tier III markets in India. 

Through its Rysen School network, the company combines structured academics with experiential learning and technology-enabled instruction using an asset-light approach.

Since its inception, AITS has set up 15 campuses across nine cities, with more than 10,000 students enrolled. The company aims to expand its reach to 100,000 students over the next three years by adding 100 new campuses.

AITS also plans to develop a centralised learning ecosystem, including smart classrooms, coding labs, blended learning tools, and academic analytics, alongside expanding teacher training and performance tracking systems.