Global Fashion Agenda and PDS Ventures seek early-stage green innovators for new Trailblazer Programme
Global Fashion Agenda (GFA), a non-profit organisation focused on the transition to a net positive fashion industry, has collaborated with PDS Ventures, to launch a new Trailblazer Programme.
The initiative seeks to identify fashion’s most promising early-stage innovators and support them on their journey to scale.
As part of this, PDS Ventures will award one participant an investment of up to $200,000.
The winner will also receive commercial and operational support from PDS Group’s Positive Materials - a textile company and strategic research partner supporting the development and acceleration of low impact textile innovation through collaboration between early-stage startups, supply chain partners and brands.
Further scaling opportunities will be gained through access to PDS Limited’s global supply chain.
GFA and PDS Ventures are presenting an open call for solution providers addressing different challenges across the fashion value chain to apply for the programme.
Applicants will be reviewed and shortlisted by a jury including representatives from GFA, PDS Ventures, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Ralph Lauren Corporation, Fashion For Good and H&M Group.
Eight shortlisted innovations will be enrolled in a group of Trailblazers, receiving feedback and investment pitch training from industry experts and PDS representatives.
Each shortlisted innovator will then pitch for a potential investment, with the winning Trailblazer being revealed at GFA’s Global Fashion Summit: Copenhagen Edition 2024 - a forum for sustainability in fashion, on 22nd-23rd May at the Copenhagen Concert Hall.
All those shortlisted will also have the opportunity to showcase their businesses within an exhibit at the Summit to connect with other key industry stakeholders and potential investors.
The Trailblazer Programme corresponds with the theme of the upcoming Global Fashion Summit - ‘Unlocking The Next Level’. Inspired by a milestone, 2024 marks 15 years since the inaugural Global Fashion Summit was hosted in 2009.
Federica Marchionni, CEO, Global Fashion Agenda, says: “Innovation is a fundamental component to transforming the current fashion system to one that benefits people and the planet.”
”Yet, to truly achieve impact at scale, innovation and investment go hand-in-hand. In a time of significant economic challenges, it is more important than ever that the fashion ecosystem prioritises investment in early-stage solutions so that we can bring them to fruition and make them last.”
”Through this programme and the support from PDS Ventures, GFA is striving to help innovation thrive.”
Pallak Seth, Founder and Executive Vice Chairman, PDS Limited, says: “We are incredibly proud to partner with the Global Fashion Agenda to establish the Trailblazer Programme.”
“There has never been a more urgent time than now for true industry support for climate first innovators with, not only financial investment but most crucially, mentoring and support to unlock the scaling potential of early-stage innovators.”
“We are committed to supporting young pioneering businesses and have had the privilege of working with some of the most exciting startups from their earliest days accelerating their mission to make a positive impact in the fashion industry.”
You can apply to participate in the programme here. Applications close on 31st March.
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