Experience

Aniela Hoitink, serial entrepreneur & innovation leader in sustainable textiles and biomaterials

With over 25 years of experience, Aniela Hoitink turns visionary concepts into scalable, sustainable textile and biomaterial solutions. As founder of NEFFA and MYCOTEX, she developed the world’s first automated biomaterial supply chain and commercialized next-generation mycelium-based textiles. Beyond entrepreneurship, she advises research institutes, mentors innovators, and creates responsive, energy-generating, and bio-based fabrics — helping brands and startups reduce risk and drive sustainable impact.

Serial entrepreneur in textile innovation

• AURITA – CEO & Founder – Help brands and start-ups accelerate growth by transforming complex ideas into scalable, investment-ready solutions through sustainable materials, advanced manufacturing, and commercialization expertise.
• NEFFA – CEO & Founder – Built and scaled NEFFA, the world’s first automated biomaterial supply chain, into an IP-strong, investment-ready venture by combining advanced digital manufacturing, sustainable materials, and strategic funding to deliver scalable, low-impact bio-based product solutions.
• MYCOTEX – CEO/CTO & Founder – Led the development and commercialization of MYCOTEX and PARYCEL — next-generation, mycelium-based biomaterials — by building a scalable supply chain, securing industry partnerships, and positioning MYCOTEX as a global leader in sustainable, tech-driven material innovation.
• SOLAR FIBER – Co-Founder – Co-founded Solar Fiber to develop flexible, energy-generating textiles, leading user-centered prototyping, public engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration to bring solar-harvesting fabrics into fashion, interiors, and architecture for a sustainable future.
• Net Effe Anders – Founder – Pioneered sustainable fashion innovation by integrating biotechnology, smart materials, and ancient techniques into scalable textile systems, bridging cutting-edge research and commercial design through cross-sector partnerships and market-driven solutions.
• The Letterbag – Founder – Led the design, launch, and commercialization of a sustainable, customizable product line, while building brand visibility through styling, PR, and multi-channel sales efforts.

Innovation and material consultant

• MycoMatters – Advisory board member
• Utrecht University – User committee of “Mycelium-based materials for product design”
• VISASQ/COLEMAN – Consultancy work
• Perfect Number – Consultancy work on specialty fabrics (energy using, responsive to environment, etc.)
• uHasselt & Elasta – Concept and development of a demonstrator based on flexible OLED technology incorporated in elastics
• CERN, Campus BIOTECH & HUG (CH) – Empowering patients through application development with integrated response on hospital uniforms
• Silverlight Research – Consultancy work
• IMEC-CMST – Concept and development of a demonstrator based on LED integration directly into fabrics
• Jora Entertainment – EL-wire costume development for kineticFIELD stage / EDC
• Sioen – Concept and development of a lighting system based on integration of LEDs in coated textile (iTEX)
• Solliance, TNO – Concept and development of an OPV demonstrator (solar energy)
• arLEDto – Concept and development of Crystal cave with integrated LEDs

Mentor

• WORTH project – Mentoring innovative projects of the WORTH Partnership Project
• Utrecht University – Supervisor students of Bioinspired Innovation programme
• ROCvA – Mentoring students on crossover collaboration between design / electronics / laboratory

Textile developer for fashion and interior

• Nomadic textiles – research in ancient textile materials for future solutions (Atayal, Maori, etc.)
• MYCOTEX shopper – integration of electronic components in biomaterials research
• Anastomosis – nurturing your skin and improving wellbeing / residence in France
• Atayal eyes – sensing the back / residence in Taiwan – bioplastic and ramie research
• Dynamic skin – creating fabric’s own metabolism / funded by Stimuleringsfonds Creatieve Industrie
• MYCOTEX – growing textile of Mycelium / University Utrecht, Mediamatic, Officina Corpuscoli
• Chameleon mood scarf – adapting to the user’s mood and environment (UV, thermo, phosphor)
• Solar in-between – sustainable and self-regulating curtain with flexible solar panels, heating & LED
• Lighting jacket – integration solution for changeable EL-wire
• Slime mold pattern – researching the slime mold pattern behaviour
• Living wall – emphasizing the importance of seasons (thermo chromic)
• Beta textile – dynamic LED lighting based on arm movements for dance / CRISP
• I CAN stand the rain – developing a collection of rainproof garden textiles
• Monitoring textile – bacteria detection textile for health care (concept)
• Sleeping beauty – a ballet of lights (LED)
• Listeria towel – creating awareness for the Listeria Monocytogenes in tea towels (hydro chromic)
• I WANT contact – exploring how to incorporate wall sockets into their surroundings
• Ivy Xposed – deciding to emphasize the lamp or the plant
• the Letterbag – a personalised concept for an everyday object (glow in the dark)

Fashion and print designer

• Tommy Hilfiger Menswear and Tailored, Gaastra, State of Art: Mille Miglia collection, Hilfiger Denim and Bodywear, Sapph Intimates, Geddes & Gillmore, Vintage Industries, Route 66, Max ’n Djune – Freelance fashion designer
• Tommy Hilfiger – Full-time print & Menswear designer
• Twinlife – Full-time all-round fashion designer (womens, kids and mens)
• The Sting – Full-time fashion designer