Cambridge University launches free fashion tech innovation programme
The University of Cambridge’s Institute for Sustainability Leadership is
calling on fashion start-ups and entrepreneurs based in England to apply
for its ‘Innovators for Sustainable Fashion’ free accelerator programme.
The six-week virtual accelerator programme, which will take 2 – 3 hours
per week, has been designed to bring together a select cohort of innovators
to help fast track their sustainability solutions, with expert contributors
from the United Nations, the University of Cambridge and experts from the
fashion, investment and tech sectors.
The initiative 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.
The university is looking for early-stage start-ups and entrepreneurs
with innovations in sustainable fashion, particularly in the areas of:
Material innovation and biotech – such as fibre innovation, enzymology and
molecular biology; Manufacturing and processing – supply chain
transparency, blockchain technology, water and chemical use, waste
reduction and energy efficiency; Packaging and delivery – innovation in
packaging materials, shipping and logistics, and waste reduction; and
People-centred solutions – to improve health and safety for people in the
garment production, consumer education on sustainable consumption, and
post-consumer solutions.
Free virtual accelerator programme to fast track tech innovation for a
sustainable fashion industry calls for applications
Applicants must be based in England, and be available to attend the full
six-week virtual programme, with the online sessions delivered every
Wednesday from September 9 to October 14.
Participants will explore the social and environmental challenges facing
the fashion industry, as well as learn from leading innovators driving
change in the industry, while building their own business pitch with
insight on business planning, marketing and storytelling.
In addition, there will be sessions from investors on the do’s and
don’ts for accessing start-up funding, and information on how to build a
network with other innovators in sustainable fashion.
The innovation showroom contributors include Jessi Baker, founder and
chief executive of Provenance, Yudi Ding, founder of Hide Biotech, Ayca
Field, co-founder of SoluBlue, Jim Ajioka, chief scientific officer at
Colorifix, Hasna Kourda, co-founder of Save Your Wardrobe, and Sacha
Newell, founder and chief executive of My Wardrobe HQ.
While contributors to the course programme will feature: Michael
Stanley-Jones
co-secretary, UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion, United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP); Matthew Drinkwater, head of the Fashion
Innovation Agency, London College of Fashion, UAL; Wendy Yu, founder and
chief executive of Yu Holdings; Shaunie Brett, sustainability consultant,
Sussed Consulting; and Marina Atarova, manager at Farfetch Dream Assembly
Accelerator and founder of FashHack.
Prospective applicants have until August 26 to apply via the
universities website.
Image: from Pexels