Summary
- Profile Type
- Business Offer
- POD Reference
- BOTR20240814005
- Term of Validity
- 14 August 2024 - 14 August 2025
- Company's Country
- Turkey
- Type of partnership
- Commercial agreement
- Targeted Countries
- All countries
Contact the EEN partner nearest to you for more information.
Find my local partner
General information
- Short Summary
- A Turkish startup is producing copper-infused antibacterial smart underwear for women. The underwear provides a protective solution against odor formation, irritation, and genital infections, which affect one in two women. The company also has a branch in Kosovo and is seeking distribution partners in the Balkan countries, as well as in the EU and CIS countries.
- Full Description
-
In 2023, a smart textile startup established in Izmir with the support of the Turkish state investment fund introduced a solution for common genital issues in women through copper-infused antibacterial underwear. One in two women will experience genital infections at some point in their lives, and almost every woman faces issues such as genital odor and irritation. The underwear developed as an effective solution to these problems is made with patented copper-infused fabrics that provide full protection against microbes, eliminating the primary cause of these issues, which is inadequate hygiene.
The products are not different from standard underwear and are marketed as textile products. The fabrics used in these products have undergone hypoallergenic testing and have been proven harmless. The underwear can be washed and reused multiple times, with accredited lab results showing that its effectiveness does not diminish even after 100 washes. It is a brand that has established its own customer base in Turkey and maintains a strong reputation for customer retention. - Advantages and Innovations
-
Antibacterial smart textile technologies are becoming increasingly important. The antibacterial smart textile products currently available on the market are generally focused on items like home textiles, wound bandages, and socks.
However, there is a significant gap in the market for the issue addressed by this company's copper-infused products. Despite the prevalence of genital issues among women, they have not been able to access sustainable solutions. These products offer a simple and effective solution to these common problems by functionalizing everyday items like underwear. They offer women the opportunity to replace their daily underwear with this brand's products, thereby protecting themselves from microbes and preventing these issues from arising in the first place. Additionally, they provide prevention of odor and irritation through breathable, moisture-wicking smart fabrics.
There are silver-infused products on the market as alternatives, but they do not offer the same benefits as our products in terms of cost-effectiveness and safety. Different forms of silver can cause toxic effects on the skin, but the technology used in the company's products has been tested and has lower toxicity than even baby powder. Additionally, silver-infused products are generally more expensive solutions.
The fact that the company's products are indistinguishable from standard underwear makes them easy to market. One of the main advantages is that customers can make a small change in their daily lives and avoid significant issues. The ability to reuse these products repeatedly is another key factor for customers.
The company has essentially functionalized standard underwear by using copper-infused fiber technology. However, compared to the lack of protection offered by standard underwear, the company's products take a significant step forward. - Stage of Development
- Already on the market
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Not relevant
- IPR status
- No IPR applied
Partner Sought
- Expected Role of a Partner
- Partners should ideally have previous experience working with a female customer base and have strong connections with sales outlets frequently visited by women. They should have excellent connections with large retail chains, stores selling women’s products, or owners of specialized women's clinics in their country. Partners will be expected to develop the sales of the Turkish startup’s products in their country, collaborate with the company in identifying trends and opportunities, contribute to future innovation and product development processes, and provide market intelligence.
- Type and Size of Partner
- Other
- SME 11-49
- SME 50 - 249
- Type of partnership
- Commercial agreement
Dissemination
- Technology keywords
- 06001022 - Medical Textiles
- Market keywords
- 05007007 - Other medical/health related (not elsewhere classified)
- 09004003 - Textiles (synthetic and natural)
- Targeted countries
- All countries