Trailblazer 2024
The Programme is seeking early-stage innovators who are working to accelerate the transformation of the fashion and textile industry with planet positive solutions that align with GFA’s Fashion CEO Agenda priorities.
As part of the Trailblazer Programme, one winning company will receive an equity investment of up to $200,000* in addition to commercial and operational support to help bring the innovation to scale.
*specific amount to invest is contingent upon the winning company’s stage and status
In Collaboration with
Shortlisted Trailblazers 2024
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- Clearly articulates how the solution will contribute to creating a net positive industry.
- Provide a detailed plan for scaling the solution.
- Demonstrates the solution’s level of novelty and innovation within the fashion industry.
The Hurd Co.
Shortlisted Trailblazer 2024
The Hurd Co makes it possible to make clothing from agricultural waste with agrilose®: a 100% agriwaste-based feedstock pulp that the apparel industry uses to make fabrics like viscose/rayon and lyocell, which are normally made from trees. In addition to being tree-free, The Hurd Co’s patented technology is a zero emission process that uses 50% less water and 90% less energy than conventional pulping processes. Agrilose is a one-to-one replacement for tree pulp and will be available at a cost-competitive price, making it an easy substitute for manufacturers and an easy choice for brands.
Syntetica
Shortlisted Trailblazer 2024
Syntetica has developed a breakthrough chemical process to recycle nylon rich textiles to produce decarbonised circular materials for the textile industry. Founded by Marco Bertone, ex-head of growth of the fashion marketplace The Bradery & Selency, and Louis Monsigny, one of Europe’s leading chemical experts with a PhD in molecular catalysis and a decade of research in plastic depolymerisation. Syntetica is finalising commercial contracts with industry leading fashion brands as it seeks to reach a pre-industrial stage over the next 18 months.
Sparxell
Shortlisted Trailblazer 2024
Sparxell creates the next generation of colours and effects. They are doing so by pioneering the world’s first plant-based performant colourants inspired by nature.
Their technology platform empowers brands to meet evolving regulations and consumer trends towards sustainable colourants. The innovative products deliver colour vibrancy and effects usually obtained from metals, minerals and dyes often combined with plastics.
They transform industries like cosmetics, fashion, packaging, and more, combining biodegradability, non-toxicity and low carbon footprint with the best optical performance.
silana
Shortlisted Trailblazer 2024
silana built the first sewing robot globally & the solution to fashion’s overproduction problem. Clothing made in Europe at lower prices than China.
With silana they are on a mission to nearshore the production of 1 bn. clothing pieces annually. With the backing of established textile investors, first paying customers and a strong pipeline for our US market entry, silana will establish itself as the leading FashionTech player, reducing CO2 emissions / T-shirt of > 38%.
Their sewing robots can produce simple T-shirts, in different styles and sizes – fabric independent – without overproduction or precarious working conditions.
PACT
Shortlisted Trailblazer 2024
PACT is on a mission to create the most beautiful, high-performing, and climate-responsible material at scale for fashion and beyond. We collaborate with innovative fashion brands and pioneers to accelerate the systemic change desired within the industry. Inspired by generations of leather artisans and master craftspeople, we are beginning with an advanced material: Oval. Oval is a supple material made from collagen sourced from industrial by-products. It’s a highly scalable material that offers designers unparalleled flexibility whilst minimising environmental impacts across the entire production process.
DyeRecycle
Shortlisted Trailblazer 2024
DyeRecycle is a colour and fibre innovation company with a mission to pioneer chemical circularity and fiber circularity within the textile industry. Our integrated solution tackles the complexities of recycling diverse textile waste, lacking sustainable technology for fibre decolorization and synthetic dye recycling. DyeRecycle decolorizes textile waste fibers and repurposes extracted dyes, creating recycled synthetic dyes. With a commitment to achieving net-zero environmental impact, we aim to significantly textile industry’s dependence on virgin materials — without sacrificing performance or creativity.
Bloom Labs
Shortlisted Trailblazer 2024
Bloom Labs is accelerating the transition towards a circular economy. Bloom can take up to 15 billion lbs of annually produced fibrous protein waste and convert them into fibers (rPoly, wool, cashmere, silk) and bioplastics using existing melt-spinning infrastructure. By utilizing pre-consumer fibrous waste streams, we combine the incredible aesthetic properties of natural fibers such as – handfeel, breathability and thermal regulation – with the functional and mechanical properties of a polyester. Bloom fibers are using 100% bio-based ingredients and have traceability certifications.
Biophilica
Shortlisted Trailblazer 2024
Treekind® by Biophilica is a unique leather alternative free of polyurethane and PVC. It is made with lignocellulose – specifically urban leaves, stems, and stalks from parks and gardens as well as similar inedible agricultural feedstocks. Treekind® is recyclable and only uses compostable inputs. The result is a material that has very low recourse footprint. Treekind® uses 0.1% of the water used in equivalent leather processing, with zero toxic chemicals in its formulation. Treekind® is a truly sustainable solution for brands and designerslooking for an alternative to both conventional leather and synthetic PU and PVC materials.
Programme Activities
Eight shortlisted innovations will be enrolled in a group of Trailblazers, receiving feedback and investment pitch training from industry experts and PDS representatives.
Each shortlisted innovator will then pitch for a potential investment, with the winning Trailblazer being revealed at GFA’s Global Fashion Summit: Copenhagen Edition 2024 – the leading international forum for sustainability in fashion, on 22-23 May at the Copenhagen Concert Hall.
All shortlisted Trailblazers will also have the opportunity to showcase their businesses within an exhibit at the Summit to connect with other key industry stakeholders and potential investors.
The Trailblazer Programme corresponds with the theme of the upcoming Global Fashion Summit – ‘Unlocking The Next Level’.
Jury Members
Applicants will be reviewed and shortlisted by an esteemed Jury including representatives from GFA, PDS Ventures, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Ralph Lauren Corporation, Fashion For Good and H&M Group.
Jason Berns
Jason Berns
Head of Product & Manufacturing Innovation, Ralph Lauren Corporation
Jason Berns is the Head of Product & Manufacturing Innovation at Ralph Lauren Corporation. Berns leads a team that identifies unique, consumer-focused opportunities in key product areas. Notably, this includes the launch of the world’s first scalable apparel serialization and authentication programme – Digital Product IDs – which has been implemented on hundreds of millions of items globally. At Ralph Lauren, Berns has led the implementation of 3D design and development, the creation of a recycled, waterless version of the iconic polo shirt, and marquee, innovative technologies for the U.S. Olympic team uniforms – such as Intelligent Insulation, a first-to-market fabric that adapts to cooler temperatures by expanding and creating a layer of insulation. He has also supported Ralph Lauren’s investment in NFW, a leading sustainable material science startup. With his leadership, the Company has used NFW’s CLARUS® and MIRUM® technologies in its products. In August 2020, Berns was appointed to serve as an NFW Board Member. Through his work at Ralph Lauren, he continues to drive initiatives in recycling technologies and on-demand manufacturing to support a circular economy. Prior to joining Ralph Lauren in 2016, Berns led the open innovation team at Under Armour Inc. He has also spent part of his career at Salomon Sports, Arc’teryx Equipment, and Fisher Price. He holds a Bachelor of Science Industrial Design from the University of Cincinnati. In addition to serving on NFW’s Board, he is an advisor at Sway Ventures.
Jonas Eder-Hansen
Jonas Eder-Hansen
Chief Operating Officer, Global Fashion Agenda
Jonas Eder-Hansen is the Chief Operating Officer at Global Fashion Agenda (GFA). Jonas is responsible for designing and implementing policies that drive GFA and its stakeholders to reach a net positive fashion industry. Jonas oversees GFA’s operations, public affairs and educational activities, including Global Fashion Summit - the leading international forum for sustainability in fashion. With more than ten years of tenure at GFA, Jonas has deep insights in driving industry change. Recently, Jonas spearheaded GFA’s increased strategic focus on engaging policymakers to accelerate the fashion industry’s urgent transition to a circular economy. Since 2017 Jonas sits on the Board of Directors of Sustainable Apparel Coalition representing affiliate members of the industry-wide multi-stakeholder initiative. Jonas was formerly Development Director for Danish Fashion Institute. Prior to that, he was Research Director at Copenhagen Business School’s Centre for Sustainability.
Dr. Yuly Fuentes Medel
Dr. Yuly Fuentes Medel
Program Director for Textiles, Climate Grand Challenges, Massachusetts Insitute of Technology
Dr. Yuly Fuentes-Medel is a catalyst of creative ideas and ecosystem builder and pioneer in the intersection of Fashion, Technology, Climate change and business. Now working as Program Director of Climate Grand Challenges & Fabric Innovation lab at the Massachusetts Institute of technology and Founder of the Footwear Collective, a non profit network of companies dedicated to solve systemic change with circular solution powered by EarthDNA Inc. As founder of Value of Science LLC she created DESCIENCE, a global collective of designers, scientists & technologists, connecting the world of science and Design as one. She was selected as Human of the year by motherhood Magazine in 2018 and received the 2015 Boston Business Magazine “Woman to Watch” Award. She graduated with a PhD in biomedical sciences from the University of Massachusetts Medical School and Postdoctoral trained at the MIT Sloan School in Technology Innovation & entrepreneurship (TIE). She currently serves as emeritus President of the board of the Chile-Massachusetts Alliance to support international exchange of investment, technological business, talent and social impact. She is a past board member of FIT Lab and a current board member of Aji Challenge, a chilean accelerator that fosters the success of technological companies in global markets. As a member of Women Entrepreneurs in Science and Technology (WEST), she received a Volunteer Giving back award. She is also an advisor to MIT Delta students’ start ups and venture Partner to Closed Loop Partners. During her time as a Ph.D. student, she helped pioneer the International workshop called “Small Brains Big Ideas”. So far, this initiative has successfully trained almost a hundred Latin-American students. Trained as a biochemist at University of Concepcion in her native Chile, she is constantly in search of opportunities to support young talent and technologies to make an impact in global markets.
Yael Gairola
Yael Gairola
Non-Executive Director, PDS Limited and Senior Advisor, PDS Ventures
Erik Karlsson
Erik Karlsson
Head of H&M Group Ventures
Erik Karlsson is Head of H&M Group Ventures, the venture investment arm of the H&M Group. H&M Group Ventures is a strategic investor in the fashion and retail industries and has companies such as Klarna, Sheertex, Instabee and Colorifix in the portfolio. Before taking on responsibility for the team and portfolio, Karlsson was heading up investments in sustainable practices for H&M Group Ventures. Prior to becoming an investor, he held various positions in H&M Group’s Sustainability Department. Before joining H&M Group, he worked as a sustainability consultant in the oil & gas and shipping industries. Karlsson holds a MSc in Environmental Engineering and is looking to transform the industry through investing in innovative technologies that will drive positive impact.
Georgia Parker
Georgia Parker
Innovation Director, Fashion for Good
Georgia Parker is the Innovation Director at Fashion for Good, the global initiative that convenes stakeholders in a pre-competitive space to support and embed breakthrough technologies into the fashion supply chain. She focuses on orchestrating multi stakeholder projects and pilots across the supply chain as well as running the Innovation Programme. Previously she worked at adidas in their Brand Sustainability team and was also part of the Ellen MacArthur Fellowship Programme. She has a background in business having started her career at Deloitte.
Terms & Conditions
Why should I apply for the programme?
The Trailblazer Programme offers valuable feedback, funding opportunities and industry recognition. The winner receives an equity investment and recognition at the Global Fashion Summit. All shortlisted candidates will receive a ticket to exhibit their solutions at the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen in May.
By submitting your application, you commit to taking part in the Summit if you emerge as the winner. Global Fashion Agenda commits to provide the winner with funding to cover travel and accommodation during the Summit days (21-24 May).
What does the programme entail?
The programme begins with an open call, followed by a selection process where shortlisted applicants will participate in a workshop, present their solutions to a jury, and potentially showcase their solutions at the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen.
By submitting your application, you commit to taking part in the workshops and presenting your solution to the jury if you are shortlisted.
How is the Trailblazer programme related to the Global Fashion Summit?
The winner of the Trailblazer Programme will receive recognition on stage at the Global Fashion Summit. Additionally, there will be a dedicated Trailblazer Programme exhibition stand at the Summit venue where the shortlisted innovators can showcase their innovative solutions to a wide audience.
How is the Trailblazer programme related to PDS Ventures?
PDS Ventures is the investment partner of the Trailblazer Programme. The 2024 winner of the Trailblazer Programme will receive an equity investment from PDS Ventures. Furthermore, all shortlisted companies of the Trailblazer Programme will have the opportunity to work with PDS Ventures via their manufacturing and sourcing platform, Positive Materials.
Where is this programme taking place?
The Trailblazer Programme will be conducted entirely online. However, for shortlisted innovators who opt to showcase their solutions at the Global Fashion Summit, attendance in person at the Summit in Copenhagen on May 21-23 is required.
Global Fashion Agenda will not cover any expenses related to participating in the Summit for the shortlisted applicants, except providing one ticket to the Summit for each innovator.
What is expected from the winners?
We expect the winner to diligently execute their idea according to the proposed plan, maintaining a commitment to fostering a net positive impact. Additionally, progress reports on fund utilisation must be provided to GFA and PDS Ventures at the 6-month and 12-month intervals.
If you progress to the next stage as one of the shortlisted innovations, please be aware that your availability is required for a pitching workshop scheduled on 16 April, 4-5 pm CEST, and a potential pitch day on 6 May (TBC). Furthermore, your availability to travel to and attend Global Fashion Summit: Copenhagen Edition 2024 on 21-23 May 2024 is essential.
Who can apply?
Individuals or groups with solutions aimed at creating a net-positive impact in the fashion industry are encouraged to apply. Companies must meet specific criteria, including being under 5 years old, maximum of 10 employees, and generating less than 2 million EUR in turnover per year. Solutions must align with GFA’s Fashion CEO Agenda priorities, and applications must be in English.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline for submissions is 5 April, 2024.
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I am already affiliated with GFA through the Innovation Forum – Can I still apply?
If you are already represented in the GFA Innovation Forum, you are still eligible to apply for the Trailblazer programme, provided you meet the criteria, as stated under “Who can apply?”. However, please note that only solutions in the seed stage/early stage will be considered for participation.
I am currently enrolled in another accelerator programme – Can I still apply?
If you are currently enrolled in another accelerator programme, you are still welcome to apply for the Trailblazer Programme. However, please ensure that you have sole ownership of all rights associated with your solution.
What is a successful application?
A successful application for the Trailblazer Programme is one that:
What does the selection process look like?
GFA, PDS Ventures, and an independent jury will shortlist promising candidates, who will then pitch their solutions in front of the jury board for the final review. The winner will be announced and recognised at the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen.
When will I get feedback on my application?
Applicants selected for the first round will receive feedback in early April. All applicants will receive feedback mid-April.
