A conversation with Karin Fleck, who established Vienna Textile Lab as a pioneer in applying biotechnology to create sustainable alternatives for textile dyeing.

After spending ten years in the oil and energy industry, Fleck redirected her professional focus toward tackling a critical issue facing the fashion sector: the ecological and human health impacts associated with conventional synthetic dyes.

The interview explores Fleck's transition from overseeing major industrial operations to launching an enterprise centered on developing pigments derived from living microorganisms. Vienna Textile Lab provides a commercially scalable, non-toxic, and environmentally sound substitute for the synthetic dyes currently dominating the market.

The discussion also addresses how Women TechEU has assisted emerging deep-tech companies and the value of building networks across the sector to advance sustainable transformation.

Key Points

  • Reasons for moving away from oil and energy toward sustainable textile development
  • Methods for converting cultivated microorganisms into functional pigments suitable for textiles
  • Domains where bio-derived pigments create the greatest positive environmental and social outcomes
  • Present landscape of uptake in manufacturing and outstanding obstacles
  • Main reservations manufacturers express when assessing new pigment options

About Women TechEU

Women TechEU is a European Union initiative designed to back female entrepreneurs developing deep-tech ventures across Europe. Operating as part of a broader consortium, the program aims to advance equitable innovation by investing in women-founded companies, particularly in underrepresented deep-tech domains and less-developed European regions. The initiative rests on the conviction that varied perspectives strengthen technological advancement and seeks to equip female deep-tech founders with expanded possibilities, resources, and backing to establish globally competitive enterprises.

Running from 2026 through 2028, the scheme will conduct four separate application windows. Following a thorough assessment, 160 companies will be chosen as beneficiaries. Chosen participants receive €75k in non-dilutive funding along with customized support encompassing mentoring, educational programming, specialist consultation, networking facilitation, and assistance in accessing complementary EIC programs and resources.

This initiative is funded by the European Union. The perspectives and conclusions presented reflect those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the European Union or the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). The European Union and the implementing authority assume no responsibility for the content.

Source: EU-Startups