Date: 1 December 2025
Location: Prato, Italy
Host organisation: Lottozero
The W4TEX National Ideathon in Italy was held in Prato at Lottozero as part of the Erasmus+ project W4TEX – Women for a Sustainable Textile Future. The event brought together women entrepreneurs, students, young professionals, and aspiring founders active in the fashion and textile sector to collaboratively address key sustainability and innovation challenges.
The ideathon followed a participatory format combining networking, knowledge exchange, and hands-on teamwork. Participants worked in multidisciplinary teams on real business challenges presented by three Italian female entrepreneurs from the sustainable fashion ecosystem.
Guest speakers and challenges
- Giuliana Borzillo, co-founder of ID.EIGHT (sustainable footwear):
ID.EIGHT is a footwear brand that transforms waste from the food industry into sneakers made with recycled and bio-based materials, combining design, circularity, and responsible production.
Challenge: How can the sustainability of a product be communicated engagingly and transparently? - Gaia Segattini, founder of Gaia Segattini Knotwear (ethical knitwear and Società Benefit):
Gaia Segattini Knotwear is a Società Benefit that produces knitwear using surplus yarns and a local, transparent supply chain, placing people, craftsmanship, and community at the centre of its business model.
Challenge: How can a digital fashion brand evolve in a context where social media is becoming less effective? - Pamela Burani, founder of Nonplussed (vegan and sustainable fashion):
Nonplussed is a vegan fashion brand rooted in the Prato textile district, working with certified organic and recycled materials through a fully local and cruelty-free supply chain focused on timeless design.
Challenge: How can an internal academy be structured within a company, and how can people be motivated to participate?
Participants formed small groups and selected one of the three challenges and developed strategic and creative proposals grounded in sustainability, communication, and organisational innovation. While developing their ideas they were able to mix and consult with the female entrepreneurs and other participants who are well established in the fashion and textile field. The ideathon concluded with team presentations and collective discussion.
The winning team was selected by a panel of five judges, including two hosting representatives from Lottozero and the three participating female entrepreneurs to represent Italy at the W4TEX Transnational Ideathon in Larissa, Greece, where they will collaborate with participants from other partner countries in an international training and networking event.
The National Ideathon in Prato demonstrated the value of female-led entrepreneurship, local textile knowledge, and collaborative learning in driving sustainable transformation within the fashion and textile sector, reinforcing Prato’s role as a key hub for innovation and responsible fashion.