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Grow and Scale Your Fashion Business and Apply to the Fashion Zone Fall Cohort!

Do you want to grow and scale your fashion business? The Fashion Zone is excited to be opening applications for our Fall 2021 Cohort for startups, designers, brands, and businesses who are looking to build and grow their brands!
August 12, 2021

Calling all entrepreneurs and wantrepreneurs in the fashion industry! Do you want to grow and scale your fashion business? Having incubated over 200 fashion startups, we are excited to open applications for our Fall 2021 Cohort!

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Who are we, the FZ?

As Canada's fastest growing incubator for fashion-inspired businesses, we support those who are committed to pushing the boundaries of their own ventures and the industry. 

We support creators with wisdom, mentorship, and community to explore, innovate and thrive in the fashion ecosystem while accelerating the likelihood of success for new companies and social ventures. 

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Who are you, and is FZ right for you?

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If any of the following apply to you, Fashion Zone might be the next big step forward for your fashion business.

  • I aspire to bring something new and unexpected to the fashion industry
  • I am a Canadian company looking to grow/scale my business
  • I am a product / service / technology / social impact
  • I have a business plan
  • I have a sample / prototype of my idea
  • I may have some sales and traction
    • If you are in the market with monthly recurring revenues of 4 figures, and is demonstrating growth month over month, you could be eligible for our Accelerator

If this sounds like you, consider joining the Fashion Zone Fall 2021 Cohort!

Memberships and Benefits

Program

Description

Benefits

Incubator

Our flagship Incubator program is geared for fashion start-ups between ideation and commercialization who are seeking support in pushing their products into the market.

As a member of Fashion Zone, you’ll gain access to not just our beautiful physical spaces (pending provincial re-opening guidelines), but to our incredible set of online tools as well. 

From access to other entrepreneurs and advisors to beautiful office space and workshops to health and wellness programs, you’ll enjoy a range of benefits in a supportive environment and in-house services! 

In-House Services

Online Resources

  • Access to the Fashion Zone Start-up Toolkit - our database of useful business tools and presentations of Fashion Zone workshops
  • Access to trends research and forecasting tools from WGSN
  • Access to online business support services (i.e., Dealprep - an online knowledge database for legal resources)
  • See full online resources list (opens in new window) 

Industry Perks

  • Professional services (sales, financial, legal, and marketing services)
  • Prototyping and manufacturing facilities
  • News and online learning (LinkedIn Learning, Business of Fashion membership)
  • See full industry perks list (opens in new window) 

Accelerator

Our new Accelerator program is for fashion businesses already in the market, with monthly recurring revenues (MRRs) over 4 figures that are demonstratively growing, this is an four month accelerator aimed at increasing your company’s growth.

 

In addition to all the benefits of our Incubator program, you will get exclusive access to:

  • Up to 10 hours with a dedicated EIR (Entrepreneur in Residence) network focused on sales optimization, scaling and pitching to investors. 
  • Weekly guided roundtable discussions with experts and peers.
  • Shopify for Startups program 
  • Dedicated workshops on how to drive sales and prepare for investment
  • At the end of the cohort, participants will have the opportunity to present their progress or pitch to their peers, mentors and seed/early-stage investors and they can choose to stay in the Fashion Zone as a regular member. 

Application Process

If you’re feeling inspired by what we offer, then you’ve passed the first test. To complete your application, please complete the following steps:

  1. Apply online. Applications close 11:59pm, August 29, 2021.  
    1. First you will be asked to complete a profile. 
    2. After you complete your profile, you can start an application. 
    3. You will be filtered into the accelerator or incubator stream based on your response to the MRR & revenue questions. You will only see MMR or revenue questions if you selected MVP in market or later stage for product development stage (so don’t worry if you don’t see those :D). 
  2. Screening - your application will be reviewed in an initial screening process. Only successfully screened applicants will be invited for an interview with the Admissions team. 
  3. Interview - come in for a pitch and conversation where our Admissions team gets to know you and your business.
  4. Offer - You receive a formal invitation to the Fashion Zone program by September 2021.
  5. Onboarding - Attend an Onboarding session to complete your application, learn about our full program, and meet fellow onboarding members of the Fashion Zone family.
  6. Your start date in the Fashion Zone would be the week of September 20th, 2021. 

Any questions about your application or the process can be directed to fashionzone@torontomu.ca