NEST — a chance for entrepreneurs who want to create a sustainable textile & fashion industry
Image borrowed from NEST.
NEST was started in 2021 by Borås INK, eXpression Umeå, XPlot in Lund and The Sting in Stockholm and combines expertise in tech and textiles to create a platform that promotes growth companies. These companies will be able to offer new solutions that contribute to the necessary changes in the textile industry. xPlot are members of Future by Lund and part of the network Fashion @LU.
The program is now entering its third edition and offers participants the opportunity to participate in bootcamps, business development labs, networking and much more. It ends with a pitch final where the most promising startup can win a scholarship of SEK 75,000 from TEKO, as well as additional funding opportunities up to SEK 300,000 and support from the organizers and their network.
- This is a unique opportunity for anyone who carries a business idea that concerns the textile & fashion industry, says Lars Mattiasson, business coach from XPlot and associate at Future by Lund. The textile value chain is long and there is room for everyone, whether you work in the industry or not. The fashion industry needs to learn from other industries to change and I see great opportunities for change by crossing knowledge from areas such as gaming, AI, new materials, production and recycling.
NEST bootcamp 2024 takes place in Textile Fashion Center in Borås on 14 and 15 March, with lectures and demonstrations of the latest research and innovations. It also includes a special dinner for networking between participants, partners, politicians and other key players.
NEST is supported by the University of Textiles in Borås, Science Park Borås and TEKO and partners include Textilia, the Association of Swedish Fashion Brands, and companies such as Sandqvist, Södra, OnceMore®, Gina Tricot and KappAhl. These partners not only contribute in bootcamp and dinners, but are also part of the jury in the pitch finals.
A key objective of NEST is to facilitate collaborations between startups and established companies to accelerate the transition to a sustainable industry. An example of this is KappAhl's recent collaboration with Recomended, winner of the NEST 2022 pitch finals.
If you have any questions contact Lars Mattiasson on XPlot or 0766 109573
Deadline for applications is February 18, 2024