Global Fashion Agenda launches Trailblazer program

Environment-focused NGO Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) has partnered with PDS Ventures to locate “promising early-stage innovators who are working to accelerate the transformation of the fashion and textile industry with planet-positive solutions.”

The new campaign, called the Trailblazer Program, seeks to find a winning company that will receive an equity investment of up to $200,000, as well as commercial and operational support, to help bring its innovation to scale.

GFA's broader objective is to accelerate the transition towards a net positive fashion industry together with PDS Ventures, which is the innovation and investment arm of PDS Limited.

Its new initiative says it will identify fashion's “most promising early-stage innovators and support them on their journey to scale.”

The two partners are calling for solution providers that address different challenges across the fashion value chain to apply for the program. Applications close at the end of this month.

Applicants will be reviewed and shortlisted by a jury that will include representatives from GFA, PDS, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Ralph Lauren, Fashion For Good and H&M Group.

Eight pre-selected innovations will be enrolled in a pioneer group and will receive feedback and training on investment proposals from industry experts and PDS representatives.

They will be unveiled at the GFA Global Fashion Summit: Copenhagen 2024 at the end of May and will be able to showcase their businesses in an exhibition at the Summit to connect with other key industry stakeholders and potential investors.

The Program corresponds to the theme of the upcoming Summit: “Unlocking the next level.”

Federica Marchionni, CEO of GFA, said: “Innovation is a fundamental component in transforming the current fashion system into one that benefits people and the planet. However, 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 for the fashion ecosystem to prioritize investing in early-stage solutions so we can make them a reality and make them last.”