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Our services | Join an accelerator program | Circular Textile Accelerator – by CIC

Circular Textile Innovation Accelerator program

After extensive research the Circular Innovation Collective has identified the most urgent innovation gaps to create a circular textile chain. As a result we are scouting Startups and SME – B2B as well as B2C – national or international that are working on high value innovative circular solutions in Refuse, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse and Repair.  

The solution can be presented by a startup or SME. It has validated the problem-solution fit and (on the way to validating) product-market fit, and is ready to prepare for scaling and investment with the right partners. This program is part of the Circular Innovation Collective.

WHAT YOU GET

TRAINING

  • A half day online kick-off (8 March ‘23) event to get to know each other, the partners & the circular textile gaps in the MRA (Amsterdam Metropolitan Region).

  • A 4-day bootcamp in Amsterdam (20-23 March ‘23), The Netherlands, including workshops on systems change, strategic partnerships, impact measurement & pitching and different opportunities to network with selected partners in the (circular) fashion industry. Find more about the bootcamp below the drop-down.

  • 7 live half-day group training sessions (online), including masterclasses on strategy, team growth, material use in the circular economy, due diligence, talking with investors & sales.

  • 1-on-1 mentorship by an experienced entrepreneur/expert matched to your needs.

  • 1-on-1 monthly sparring sessions from Impact Hub Amsterdam and the connected partners.

  • Due diligence and coaching of Bankers without Boundaries to support in financial/investment needs.

 

BOOTCAMP

  • Between 20 & 23 March 2023 we will come together with all the selected innovations and partners in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

  • The program exists of a combination of masterclasses, field trips & networking moments.

  • During the workshops we discuss topics as systems change, strategic partnerships, impact measurement & pitching with experts from Impact Hub Amsterdam, Metabolic and the Municipality of Amsterdam.

  • Sessions on the current state and opportunities of the textile industry in the MRA.

  • Different opportunities to network with selected partners in the (circular) textile industry during the dinners, boat trips and pitch moments.

  • We will close the bootcamp with a pitch event, in which you get the opportunity to pitch your innovation to a curated network of (potential) strategic partners.

  • In between enough time to have fun and get inspired by the cohort of like-minded entrepreneurs.

NETWORK

  • Peer-to-peer learning in a small group of like-minded entrepreneurs.
  • Expert advice from the partners: Metabolic, Bankers without Boundaries and Impact Hub Amsterdam.
  • Multiple networking events where we introduce you to our network of strategic partners and potential clients. 
  • A closing Demo Day at Impact Hub’s Fashion Ecosystem Day to pitch to our selected network of impact investors & strategic partners. 
  • Impact Hub access to a global network of over 24.500 impact makers and monthly community events. 
  • Access to the network of program partners as Metabolic, Bankers without Boundaries & the Municipality of Amsterdam.

 

THE RESULT

  • Being ready for investment, growth, and impact.
  • Detailed insights into the current textiles value chain in MRA (Amsterdam Metropolitan Region).
  • Having a detailed funding/investment plan and connections to potential financiers.
  • New and strengthened partnerships in your value chain, such as suppliers and launching customers.
  • An improved impact narrative and presentation & pitching skills.
  • Insight into your role in the transition to a circular textiles value chain and measuring your impact.
  • The experience of pitching your company and needs to our wide network of impact investors and strategic partners.

CHALLENGE AREAS

There is a growing community of local services for repair, customisation, and upcycling within the city of Amsterdam. However, there are key barriers that have been identified by local stakeholders in scaling these services and engaging citizens:

●  Lack of highly-skilled workforce and craftspeople – there is a need for more training programmes / educational exchanges to bring new craft and skills into the MRA

●  Lack of knowledge of citizens as to the steps they can take to care, maintain, repair, customise or upcycle their existing clothing

●  Circular services provided within the city are not easily accessible and affordable for all citizens

●  Lack of competitive salaries for repair, refashioning and upcycling

●  The current market forces or financial incentives limit the local employment opportunities for repair and refurbishment.It is cheaper to buy new than to repair.

Emotional durability is linked both to extending a product’s lifetime but also to the trust and investment that citizens make in the products that they purchase. With the increasing awareness of microplastic pollution, citizens are looking for clothing that delivers on durability, performance and tackles the more systemic issues of microfibre release and biodegradability. Current material alternatives are limited, and there is a lot of opportunity for next generation plant-based and bio fabricated materials. As we align citizens’ values more closely with natural material cycles, they will become increasingly aware of how materials are taken and returned to the biosphere. Addressing the trade-offs between function, aesthetics and sustainability in citizen purchasing decisions will be key.

With the rapidly changing market of fashion trends and alternatives, sustainability claims are being pushed into the consumer space. Frameworks and tools are needed to navigate these claims made by brands, and bring citizens transparent and accurate information about the impact of their products, building trust and integrity in their purchasing choices. These tools should also be used to support the broader network of SMEs and microbusinesses in collecting data and measurements to support the marketing of their circular business models, thereby strengthening local community buy-in for service provision by smaller businesses.

Local textiles industries will depend upon the weaving together of craft history with craft future – the cross-pollination of local and international culture, makers and designers into new unique identities.4 These practices of sharing culture and craft will contribute to citizens feeling they have unique pieces of clothing that embody workers’ time, skill and story. This is also a high potential opportunity for beginning to integrate nature-positive practices that also link the consumer to place-based identity and impact. Some key areas that could support the transition to a more diverse and inclusive fashion industry include:

●  Helping brands and manufacturers tell the full story of their products and services

●  Tools for effective exchange of practical customisation and skills between local and international stakeholders

●  Linking regenerative raw material producers to designers

●  Including citizens in product and service customisation (on-demand) to reflect individualities and local craft

PARTICIPATION FEE

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EUR 1,500

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The value of the programme is estimated at well over € 25.000, which is provided for by the programme partners. You will only be charged a small participation fee when you are selected for the programme.

Timeline

ONLINE KICK-OFF
March 8
Half day
March 20-24
Full days
BOOTCAMP IN AMSTERDAM
March 20-24
Full days
ONLINE LIVE MASTERCLASSES
Half Days
12 April
19 April
10 May
Half Days
17 May
24 May
31 May
ONLINE LIVE MASTERCLASSES
Half Days
17 May
24 May
31 May
PARTNERSHIP NETWORK EVENT
April 26
Half day
June 21
Full day
DEMO DAY // FASHION ECOSYSTEM DAY
June 21
Full day
COACHING WITH MENTOR AND PROGRAM MANAGER
Online, flexibel