Virtual Accelerator programme to empower designers to transform the fashion status quo
The fast fashion industry has far reaching impacts on both people and the planet. It accounts for ten per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, depletes natural resources particularly water, uses harmful chemicals in great quantities and generates vast levels of waste and micro-plastic pollution once in use.
Rapid innovation is needed to revolutionise the fashion industry as we know it. Garment production is one of the world’s largest and most labour-intensive industries with estimates of 75 million people worldwide and mostly women. Crucially, the supply chain funnels more money toward modern slavery than any other industry besides tech.
Today’s designers and fashion brands have the tools, technologies and ingenuity to meet these challenges head on, make positive change and re-imagine currently damaging systems. The CISL Accelerator is looking for early stage start-ups and established fashion SMEs on a mission to do just that.
This free Accelerator programme will bring together a select cohort of designers and fashion start-ups to provide business support to help them scale without compromising their values. It will demonstrate the latest in sustainability innovation for the industry and how to make the most of sustainability credentials to grow a business and enter new markets. Delivered over five weeks of interactive online sessions, with contributors from the United Nations, the University of Cambridge and experts from the fashion, investment and tech sectors.
Applications have now closed.
Who should apply
This programme is part funded by the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund, and is available for free to SMEs based in England, with priority given to those in parts of the East of England.
We’re looking for late and early stage start-ups, as well as established SMEs who wish to build and grow their sustainable fashion business.
Applicants must be based in England and be available to attend the full five week programme. The online sessions will be delivered weekly or bi-weekly from Wednesday 18 November, with a time commitment of between 2-4 hours per week. Total hours: 17.
Format
Five-week online Accelerator programme, 2-4 hours per week. Total hours: 15 + 2 additional hours for 121 mentoring and 2 optional virtual networking events.
Programme overview:
Week one: Introduction and challenges – virtual meet the cohort, introduce your concept and explore the systemic and interdependent sustainability challenges facing the fashion industry.
Week two A: Big picture thinking – understand why the industry must generate social and environmental value in a sustainable way and explore the future of the textile value chain.
Week two B: Innovation showroom –meet six fashion startups that are pioneering zero-waste fashion and disrupting the market with sustainable materials, services, garments and business models.
Week three: Business Labs – two sessions to explore the essentials of small business planning: create a compelling value proposition and learn how to successfully market your brand.
Week four: Business Labs – the first will delve into the power of storytelling and how to win over your audience; the second will offer insights on how to access new, global markets.
Week five: Pitch practice – receive peer-to-peer and industry expert feedback on your concept.
The programme will take place over five weeks, with virtual sessions on Wednesday 18 November (10:00-12:30), Tuesday 24 November (15:00-17:00), Thursday 26 November (10:00-12:00), Tuesday 1 December (10:00-11:30), Thursday 3 December (10:00-11:30), Tuesday 8 December (15:00-16:30), Thursday 10 December (10:00-11:30) and Wednesday 16 December (10:00-12:30).
Sessions are in mornings and afternoons so as to facilitate participation from speakers in different time zones.
Join this programme, designed for innovators in sustainable fashion, and you will:
- Explore the social and environmental challenges facing the fashion industry
- Gain insights from leading innovators and experts driving change in the fashion industry
- Learn about sustainable sourcing and connect with ethical manufacturers
- Develop your pitch, with insight on business planning and marketing
- Learn how to tell your sustainability story and use it to reach your audience
- Build your network with other innovators in sustainable fashion
Contributors
- Yuly Fuentes-Medel, Project Manager for Fiber Technologies at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Founder of Value of Science LLC
- Michael Stanley-Jones, Programme Management Officer for the Ecosystems Integration Branch of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Former UN Environment Secretariat of the UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion
- Cath Tayleur, Senior Programme Manager of Business and Nature, CISL
- Shaunie Brett, Sustainability Consultant, Sussed Consulting
- Sean Ansett, Founder and President, At Stake Advisors
- Bohao Li, Senior Partner for the Luxury Brand Research Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Former Consultant for Creative Economy Program and Curator for International Fashion Showcase by British Council and British Fashion Council
- Lara Pizzato, FashionTech and Sustainability Consultant, Founder of Fueled
- Ishwari Thopte, Business coach, advisor and tutor, London College of Fashion
- Marina Atarova, Founder, #FASHHACK
- Malin Posern, Partner, Passion Capital
- Samata Pattinson, CEO, Red Carpet Green Dress
- Hannah Williamson, Associate, Investment Team, Edge
Innovation showroom contributors
- Yudi Ding, Founder, Hide Biotech
- Jim Ajioka, Chief Scientific Officer, Colorifix
- Tom Wilton, COO and Carla Lin, Growth Executive, Oxwash
- Ryan Mario Yasin, Founder, Petit Pli
- Charlotte Bullock, Business Development Director, Terra Neutra
- Frankie Phillips, Founder and Director, TOBEFRANK