For many startups, coming up with a brilliant fashion tech idea is the easy part, the challenge is in trying to successfully turn a great idea into a viable and commercial product. Luckily for some, help comes in the shape of The Centre for Fashion Enterprise (CFE).
Delivering bespoke support to designers, the Centre for Fashion Enterprise (CFE) is a pioneering strategic business development initiative that incubates, supports and develops leading emerging designer labels in the luxury and high end fashion sectors.
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Supported by UAL, Olswang and European Union (European Regional Development Fund), the CFE programme that caught our attention was their FashTech Pioneer programme. Located within the University of the Arts London, the programme has been designed to offer fashion tech brands a wide range of business support and skills that allow them to develop their next prototype. By merging innovation across fashion, fashion tech and business, the CFE provides help in securing access to funding and collaboration opportunities,
To their advantage, the London based fashion business incubator has been in cahoots with iconic names such as Erdem, Peter Pilotto, Mary Katrantzou, Marques Almeida, Thomas Tait and Craig Green. They are designers known throughout the fashion industry for their innovation, creativity and desirability.
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On CFE, Gilded Lab, a jewellery brand recently chosen to be part of the FashTech Pioneer program, shared, “CFE Fashtech is the only programme of its kind that offers proven business support in both the fashion and tech industries. We look forward to accessing this vaulted business expertise to set the right foundations for launching a successful business.”
We are excited that the CFE exists and that it offers beneficial programmes for startup brands. Since their launch in 2003, they have successfully provided not only facilities, but also a great networking environment for aspiring entrepreneurs and emerging fashion businesses who are keen to be exposed to key players in the fashion and fashion tech industries. As a place where progressive solutions in business can take place, the CFE continues to offer startups the opportunity to be recognized and supported by leading industry partners, retailers and investors- which I am sure is a great feather in the cap of many wide eyed entrepreneurs.
On that note, if you are interested in applying for their latest Accelerate Programme please take note of the following:
Application deadline: 11:59pm, Wednesday 12th October 2016
Interview Dates: Monday 24th & Tuesday 25th October 2016
Scheduled to commence: December 2016 / January 2017