In this episode of the Tech4Good South West podcast, host Arielle Tye speaks with Weronika Stelma, co-founder and CEO of Weaving Change, a social enterprise focused on sustainable fashion.

They discuss the launch of their app, Swerve, which aims to help users digitise their wardrobes and make sustainable fashion choices. Weronica shares her journey from a chemistry background to creating a tech startup, the challenges of funding, and the ethical considerations of using AI in fashion. The conversation highlights the importance of using technology for social good and the future of digital fashion.

Takeaways

• Weaving Change focuses on making sustainable fashion accessible.
• The Swerve app allows users to digitize their wardrobes.
• Only 10% of clothes in wardrobes are regularly worn.
• Funding is crucial for startups in the social enterprise space.
• Aura is an outfit recommendation algorithm based on personal style.
• Ethical considerations in AI development are essential.
• Digital fashion is the future of the industry.
• Understanding the impact of technology on the environment is vital.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Tech for Good South West

01:45 Sustainable Fashion and Weaving Change

05:05 The Journey of Weaving Change

09:00 Funding and Business Model

11:20 Developing the Aura Algorithm

15:41 Ethical Considerations in AI and Fashion

21:29 Future Plans for Weaving Change

24:24 Defining Tech for Good