Trailblazer Programme 2025 for Early-Stage Innovators (up to $200,000)

Applications are open for the Trailblazer Programme 2025 for Early-Stage Innovators. The initiative seeks to identify fashion’s most promising early-stage innovators and support them on their journey to scale.

Global Fashion Agenda and PDS Ventures are presenting an open call for solutions across the entire supply chain, addressing at least one of the following priorities:

• Working With Nature – To prioritise and invest in nature-driven solutions across the entire fashion supply chain.
• Closed-Loop Pathways – To invest in innovations that foster a circular economy, minimise reliance on finite resources, and ensure waste is reduced, reused, and recycled.
• Tech-Powered Transformation – To harness technological innovations that enhance visibility, efficiency, and accountability in the fashion supply chain, reducing environmental impact and optimising resources.

Programme Activities

The Programme is seeking early-stage innovators who are working to accelerate the transformation of the fashion and textile industry towards net-positivity. Nine solutions will be enrolled in the Trailblazer Programme, receiving feedback and investment pitch training from industry experts and PDS representatives. The nine shortlisted innovators will then pitch for a potential investment to an esteemed jury, with the winning Trailblazer being revealed at GFA’s Global Fashion Summit 2025 Copenhagen Edition – the leading international forum for sustainability in fashion, on 3-5 June 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 – ‘Barriers and Bridges’.

Benefits of Trailblazer Programme

• The one winning company will receive an equity investment of up to $200,000 (specific amount to invest is contingent upon the winning company’s stage and status) in addition to commercial and operational support from PDS and PDS Group’s Positive Materials to help bring the innovation to scale. The winner will be announced to an exclusive audience during the Global Fashion Summit.

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Eligibility for Trailblazer Programme

• Open to early-stage innovators across all facets of the fashion supply chain.
• 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, having fewer than 10 employees, and generating less than 2 million EUR in turnover per year.
• Solutions should further address one or more of the three solution priorities Working with Nature, Closed-loop Pathways and Tech-enabled Transformation.
• Applications must be in English.

Application

If you progress to the next stage as one of the shortlisted innovations, be aware that your availability is required for a pitching workshop on May 5, 2025 followed by a pitching day to the jury. Furthermore, your availability to travel to and attend Global Fashion Summit: Copenhagen Edition 2025 on 4-5 June 2025 is essential.

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