Smartex, a graduate company of UPTEC – Science and Technology Park of the University of Porto, has established itself as one of the most promising Portuguese technology startups in the smart textile industry, combining innovation, international growth and a strong capacity to attract investment.

Founded by a team with in-depth technical expertise and strategic vision, Smartex was established with a clear purpose: to reduce defects in textile production through advanced automated monitoring systems and artificial intelligence. The solution developed by the company enables real-time identification of faults on production lines, helping brands and factories to improve the quality of the final product, reduce waste and make processes more sustainable.

It was within the UPTEC ecosystem that Smartex found the right environment to transform its idea into applied technology, benefiting from mentoring, networking opportunities and specialist support that accelerated its product development and market entry.

Smartex’s journey quickly crossed borders. A significant milestone in its expansion was the announcement of the creation of a technology centre in Turkey, a strategic move that strengthens the company’s proximity to the world’s leading textile markets. Turkey, as one of Europe’s largest textile production centres, thus emerges as a key hub for the large-scale implementation and validation of Smartex’s industrial solutions.

This international focus underscores the company’s ability to adapt its technology to the specific needs of global markets, establishing itself not merely as a software provider but as a partner in digital transformation for the industry.
Smartex’s growth has also been reflected in its ability to attract significant investment. The startup has raised over 24 million dollars in funding rounds, demonstrating investors’ confidence in the company’s value proposition — technology that reduces defects, costs and waste in the textile production chain.

This substantial investment is a clear sign of Smartex’s potential to make an impact, both in terms of the operational efficiency of industrial supply chains and in strengthening the sustainability of the textile sector, addressing a pressing need in a global market increasingly focused on quality and environmental responsibility.

Smartex is also among the startups supported by the European Commission, demonstrating institutional recognition of its technological contribution and growth potential. Being part of European initiatives supporting technological entrepreneurship places Smartex in a privileged position to accelerate its international ambitions, consolidate partnerships and access new market opportunities

From the laboratory to the factory, and now to an international technology centre, Smartex exemplifies the journey of a startup that combines profound innovation, international strategy and market relevance. Its trajectory — supported from an early stage by UPTEC and driven by global investment and institutional recognition — demonstrates how highly specialised technological solutions can redefine traditional sectors such as textiles.