Ruta N and the District Participate for the First Time in Nextech, Medellín’s New Technology and Innovation Fair for the Fashion Industry

Visitors will be able to explore fashion trends using artificial intelligence, learn about the relationship between technology and the textile industry, and explore locations through augmented reality.

Ruta N and the District are participating for the first time in Nextech, the new machinery, technology, and innovation fair for the fashion and textile industry organized by Inexmoda at Plaza Mayor from September 22 to 24. Through this participation, Medellín’s science, technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment capabilities are being brought closer to the challenges and opportunities of the fashion system, while creating new opportunities for connections between the two ecosystems.

Nextech provides a space to generate business opportunities, knowledge, and international exposure for the city and its business community. The fair will feature a total of 100 exhibitors, including 10 entrepreneurs supported by Ruta del Emprendimiento, a program of the Medellín Mayor’s Office that strengthens technology-based business initiatives.

“From the Medellín Mayor’s Office, and as the District of Science, Technology and Innovation, we celebrate the first edition of Nextech, a space that generates business opportunities, knowledge, and international exposure for the city and its business community. In this first edition, we want our entrepreneurs to build connections with national and international markets, gain knowledge, and take their businesses to the next level,” said Andrea Montoya, Acting Secretary of Economic Development of Medellín.

During the fair, Ruta N has an interactive experience in the White Pavilion where visitors can explore artificial intelligence tools to forecast future fashion trends, learn about data on the relationship between fashion and technology, and explore iconic locations through augmented reality. Ruta N is also participating in the Knowledge Hub with two talks: one about a FutuMed program development that transforms agro-industrial waste into fabrics, dressings, and hydrogels applicable to fashion and cosmeceuticals, and another about smart capital opportunities for the sector.

“This is the first time Nextech has been held. This machinery, innovation, and technology fair revolves around fashion and the textile industry. Clearly, Ruta N had to be part of this space, with immersive experiences in virtual reality and artificial intelligence, as well as spaces where we will discuss opportunities to develop projects for the industry and investment,” said Carolina Londoño, Executive Director of Ruta N.

This participation will connect 100 entrepreneurs, investors, and corporate representatives linked to Ruta N’s Medellín Next and Medellín Venture Capital programs with business opportunities, new markets, strategic partnerships, and investment. The fair represents a new space for bringing together those with the knowledge, technology, capital, and business capabilities needed to address the sector’s challenges.

Through its participation in Nextech, Ruta N and the District continue to connect different ecosystem stakeholders and facilitate new opportunities for knowledge and innovation to contribute to Medellín’s economic and social development. The city currently has 741 active technology-based companies, generating more than 17,000 jobs and exceeding COP 2.47 trillion in sales, according to StartIA, Ruta N’s platform for mapping and connecting these ecosystem stakeholders.

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