Innovation plays an increasingly vital role across all areas of business, fashion included.
Innovation Village Retail has returned for the 103rd edition of Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags, once again in collaboration with Retail Hub.
Created to redefine the game's rules, the dedicated innovation village welcomes a new generation of startups offering solutions ranging from Artificial Intelligence to circular economy models, all with the possibility of real-world integration in business and retail.
This is an opportunity for startups to meet with long-established footwear and leather goods players.
The nine selected young companies from seven countries worldwide will be preparing for the latest edition of the Startup Competition. Each will present its project live at the trade fair in front of an audience and a carefully selected panel of expert judges.
- FRESH FEET
India’s first shoe-tech company focused on foot health and the environment. Its patented Dual Size Technology doubles the lifespan of children’s shoes and reduces annual waste by 50 percent, while also cutting CO2 emissions. Customers can find the perfect fit for their feet regardless of standard sizing, overcoming the limitations of existing measurement systems, which no longer meet the needs of a globalised market. - IRISPHERA
Online fashion retail faces two major challenges: high return rates and unsustainable shopping habits. Using advanced artificial intelligence and computer vision, Irisphera delivers personalised style recommendations, helping each user find the right garment for their body type. It also helps retailers lower their return-related expenses. The solution not only optimises inventory management and reduces costs, but also aligns with global sustainability goals by minimising waste and CO₂ emissions. - MANNY AI
AI-driven collaborative supply chain planning for footwear brands and manufacturers, aimed at shifting from high-volume production to a responsive, on-demand model.
The platform connects brands, manufacturers and material suppliers in real time, assigning orders based on actual material availability, production capacity and supplier expertise. - REVIVO
A fully outsourced repair service for fashion brands, specialising in clothing, footwear and leather goods. Through a tech-driven B2B platform, it connects brands, customers and artisans, managing logistics, quality control and data reporting. This allows brands to launch scalable, white-label repair services within days. - SENTIO
A cutting-edge AI platform that transforms existing in-store security cameras into powerful tools for understanding customer behaviour and optimising sales performance. It analyses how customers move, where they pause and how they interact with products and staff, representing a valuable tool for analysing sales processes, staff training and optimising store layouts. - SIZEWIZE
An award-winning AI-based foot scanning solution via mobile devices, designed to ensure the perfect shoe fit. It enhances the customer experience by increasing confidence in choosing the right size when shopping online, while helping brands and retailers meet their commercial and sustainability targets. - TETICUM
An intelligent virtual assistant that helps users quickly find the right product within large and complex catalogues. The experience mirrors that of speaking to a knowledgeable in-store assistant: personal, fast and effective. It simplifies the purchasing journey, helping to reduce bounce rates and cart abandonment while boosting customer satisfaction and conversions. - WEEV
A cloud-based SaaS platform that connects brands and suppliers through digital asset libraries, digital twins and material specification data, as well as sustainability and ESG documentation management and sharing.
It offers highly accessible, intuitive data and file search, with API integration options for ERP, PLM or 3D asset systems within companies. - ZEROW
A B2B marketplace dedicated to the reuse of surplus leather and fabrics from the fashion and textile industries. It connects brands, manufacturers and suppliers with unused high-quality materials to designers, retailers and businesses in the circular fashion space who are seeking sustainable sourcing options.
ZeroW transforms surplus stock into new creative and commercial opportunities, while also supporting both environmental and economic goals.
The next edition of Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags will be held in Riva del Garda from the 14th to the 17th of June 2025.
