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Foundry Powered by IFA Paris, a Paris-based fashion technology innovation lab, and IBM, leaders in digital innovation, announce the launch of the Future Innovation Award. The two organisations strengthen their ongoing partnership to pioneer fashion technology in France by looking to support startups and entrepreneurs that demonstrate high potential to disrupt the fashion industry.
The recipient of the award will secure a place on the newly launched Startup Program based at Foundry, a 6-month intensive incubator program to help launch new fashion technology businesses. In addition, they will receive personal coaching from the IBM Studios Paris team, dedicated co-working and makerspace facilities just for their startup, and the opportunity to have their solution piloted with some of the fashion industry’s biggest brands. This highvalue prize is fully sponsored by Foundry and IBM and is aiming to open new doors for emerging startups which would normally be harder for an entrepreneur alone.
“Digital transformation and innovation become more and more important in the world of fashion, by contributing especially to the improvement of the user experience of clients and associates. IBM makes a point of supporting promising startups and brilliant students who will participate in the acceleration of this transformation by bringing up disruptive ideas.” – Arnaud Pelletier, Director of IBM Studios Paris
“It’s important that the barriers for market entry are lowered as much as possible for truly innovative fashion technology startups and we are really excited to be working with IBM to help achieve this goal. By doing so, we can unleash ambitious talent and show the industry the possibilities for positive change.” – Peter Jeun Ho Tsang, Director of Foundry Powered by IFA Paris
Foundry opened its doors late 2019 and is the first of its kind in the fashion capital. The fashion technology innovation lab comprises of co-working spaces, a tech demo room and an experimental makerspace equipped with cutting edge technical equipment. The call for applications is now open and the deadline for submission is February 29th, 2020, on the Foundry website at foundryftlab.com. The next cohort of the Startup Program will commence March 2020.
Foundry Powered by IFA Paris
18 – 24 Quai de la Marne, 75019 Paris
+33(0)1 47 70 37 77
Press contact: Vongai Ruzive – [email protected]
Notes to Editors:
Award Title: Fashion Innovation Award
How to apply: Application form completion at www.foundryftlab.com
Application deadline: February 29th, 2020
Startup Program Commences: March 2020
Location: 18 – 24 Quai de la Marne, 75019 Paris
About Foundry Powered by IFA Paris | foundryftlab.com | @foundryftlab
Foundry is Paris’ first fashion technology innovation lab based at IFA Paris in the 19th district. Dedicated to bridging the gap between academia and industry, Foundry is driving the shift to solve complex industry problems shaping the future of fashion. We provide fixed and roaming co-working desks for our program members, a fully equipped makerpsace, event demo space and most importantly access to a network of individuals in areas from fashion, technology through to entrepreneurship. Our mission is to pioneer fashion technology in Paris and beyond.
About IFA Paris | ifaparis.com | @ifaparis
IFA Paris is a fashion school that offers students around the world a vast range of unique and tailored courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level. We give students the choice to study in three of the most globally influential fashion hubs – Paris, Shanghai and now in Istanbul that sets us apart from other fashion schools. IFA Paris is a rare example of one of the truly international schools in its sector. Our value lies in our exposure to the world and the interaction that allows the 50 nationalities constituting its student and teacher body to share in the projects and daily life taking place within our schools.
About IBM | ibm.com | @ibm
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