We transform business challenges into bold, breakthrough solutions for the creative industries using design + technology

DTech Lab has announced Annalisa Nundahl as the winner of the fifth annual PETE Prize for Entrepreneurs. Nundahl is the founder of Iron Step, a footwear business concept that offers a "recovery slide" designed for industrial workers experiencing foot pain and discomfort caused by protective footwear. "Built for the shift after the shift," the slide is crafted to provide relief outside working hours while maintaining durability and comfort. "The concept really started through observation and experience," Nundahl said. "After nearly 15 years working in industrial and workwear sales, I became very aware of how physically demanding these jobs are and how little attention is given to recovery after long shifts. This project feels personal to me, and I'm excited by the opportunity to turn an idea into something real that could genuinely improve someone's day-to-day life."

For the second consecutive year, students from FIT and H-FARM College near Venice, Italy, joined together in a unique collaborative study abroad opportunity exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence and fashion. The students spent an intensive two weeks - half in Venice and half in New York City - visiting arts and culture sites, learning about the two cities, and preparing for final team presentations. The curriculum, created by FIT's DTech Lab and H-FARM, was designed to give the next generation of creatives a chance to enrich their education by experiencing the fashion industry across continents while incorporating AI in real time. This year, six FIT students joined six Italian students from H-FARM. The theme of the New York component this year was "Reimagining the Fashion Value Chain: Human-Centered AI, Artisanship, and Genius Loci." The students emerged from the program with an understanding of how AI is transforming the fashion industry, bridging the gap between tradition and innovation. "This was a remarkable opportunity to bring really talented, smart, ambitious, young, fresh minds together to create and explore the new dimensions of technology, but within the context of traditional artisanal practice," said Michael Ferraro, executive director of the DTech Lab.