Shrestha Kukreja: We are witnessing soaring demand for high-performance engineered textiles

Whizzo is a venture-backed, full-stack startup specialising in materials science-driven manufacturing of engineered fashion and technical textiles. Their expertise lies in developing and executing innovative textile blends tailored for diverse applications, including automotive, agriculture, packaging, medical textiles, and engineered fashion. With deep expertise in woven, non-woven, and composite technologies, the robust manufacturing capabilities and technical proficiency set them apart in the industry. Shrestha Kukreja, Founder & CEO, Whizzo, in this interview with Divya Shetty, highlights his company’s offerings and the soaring technical textile segment.

Could you take us through Whizzo’s operations.

Whizzo operates much like a CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization) in the pharmaceutical industry, offering comprehensive, end-to-end solutions. Our process spans from early-stage innovation—including idea generation, screening, and testing—to product development and large-scale manufacturing, ensuring smooth commercialization. We work closely with customers, throughout the entire journey, from conceptualization and refinement to the execution of specialized textile blends. Ultimately, our goal is to evolve Whizzo into an IP-based manufacturing powerhouse.

Among your various applications in technical textiles, which one has seen the most remarkable growth lately? And how is Whizzo gearing up to meet this rising demand ?

We are witnessing soaring demand for high-performance engineered textiles that prioritise sustainability, traceability, and transparency. Innovations addressing aesthetics, functionality, and fit are also at the forefront, alongside a growing interest in nylon-based blends. These versatile materials are being utilised across diverse industries, from fashion and packaging to industrial and agricultural applications. Our nylon blends have already been embraced by fashion brands for athleisure, agro-commodity companies for packaging solutions, and the industrial sector for material handling equipment.

With raw material sourcing being a major challenge for the technical textile industry in India, how does Whizzo navigate this? Where do you source your materials from, and what steps do you take to ensure a smooth and reliable supply chain?

Man-made fibres (MMF) form the backbone of the technical textiles industry, and with government initiatives like PLI and Make in India, India’s MMF supply chain has advanced rapidly. Leveraging Whizzo’s expertise in materials science, we are able to develop precisely engineered blend designs for a wide range of applications, further driving innovation and growth in the sector.

Balancing cost and quality is crucial in high-performance technical textiles. How does Whizzo manage production costs while staying competitive without compromising on quality?

Balancing affordability and performance is a significant challenge in technical textiles. To achieve this, we ensure an optimised supply chain that enables us to offer competitive pricing. By strategically hedging raw material costs, we have streamlined procurement, allowing us to maintain cost efficiency without compromising on quality.

R&D plays a crucial role in innovation. Could you give us a glimpse into the research and development efforts at Whizzo that are enhancing the performance and durability of your technical textiles?

At Whizzo, our in-house design lab specialises in developing innovative fashion-engineered textiles. Customers can explore a tech-backed digital repository featuring a diverse range of blends and collections. Once a blend is selected, they receive a precise order timeline, dramatically reducing the traditional time-to-market from 18–24 months to just one day.

Global brands often encounter a significant challenge when expanding their product lines. They seek a partner who collaborates closely from concept to final formulation, refining each iteration until the ideal blend is achieved. Beyond development, they want a long-term partnership that extends through commercial production. Given the rapid evolution of the textile industry, they also require a consistent, reliable partner to support them throughout the lifecycle of their product portfolio.

Your company also operates in the fashion textiles segment. How is this industry performing in India, and how are international markets responding to your products?

India holds a strategic advantage when it comes to engineered fashion textiles, or Clothtech. With a fully integrated supply chain for natural fibres and rapid advancements in man-made fibres, the country is emerging as a global leader in textile innovation. Amid the ongoing crisis in Bangladesh and the shift away from China, demand for India-based textile products is set to rise significantly in international markets.

Finding skilled labour can be a challenge, especially in technical textiles. What has been your experience in securing the right talent in India, and how do you address workforce challenges?

India’s skilled workforce has evolved significantly, allowing us to access top talent within the country. Additionally, we have expanded our team globally, strategically hiring professionals across different regions and near the markets we serve to enhance our reach and expertise.

What are your short-term and long-term plans for the future?

In the near future, the company aims to enhance its global supply and science capabilities in countries such as Bangladesh, China, Vietnam, and Indonesia, while expanding its customer base across the EU, LATAM, and US markets. The company has raised $4.2 million in seed funding led by Lightspeed, with participation from BEENEXT, which is fuelling our investments in materials science and proprietary blend development. We also plan to establish a cutting-edge design lab focused on engineered fashion textiles.

Whizzo is partnering with major institutional clients to co-create innovative blends for their portfolios, becoming the exclusive supply chain partner for these product lines. Looking ahead, the company is deeply committed to sustainability. At its core, sustainability is about preserving our ability to use finite resources indefinitely. At Whizzo, we focus not only on reducing waste but also on Reuse, Recycling, and Upcycling, all while promoting a circular economy. By integrating products with perpetual lifecycles and responsible sourcing, we align with the true essence of sustainability.

As a materials science-driven manufacturer, Whizzo expertly balances the “Fire and Ice” of performance and sustainability, delivering top-quality products without compromising cost efficiency. A key project in progress is the development of high-finesse, low-water-consumption denim. Using an advanced laser treatment process, this innovation reduces water usage by 95 per cent compared to traditional denim manufacturing and eliminates chemical-intensive processes like bleaching, oxidation, and enzyme treatments. Beyond its environmental benefits, this breakthrough also improves the finesse and finishing of the final product, setting a new industry standard.