Today, Thursday the 18th, the call for project submissions for thesecond edition of Atelier by ISEM has opened. The fashion industry’s first vertical accelerator will select eight startups looking to grow their businesses with the support ofAristocrazy,Boboli,Camper,El Corte Inglés,El Ganso,Tendam,Mango, andMayoral—the eight major brands that have joined the project this year.
Atelier by ISEM aims to connect solutions from tech startups with the needs of companies in the fashion industry. To this end, it invites startups with an innovative approach that use disruptive technologies to submit projects offering clear solutions to market challenges. The goal is simple: startups test their projects in the real world, and companies find innovative solutions to their problems.
“The purpose of Atelier by ISEM is to ensure that the fashion world continues to grow with the dynamism that defines it. The magic that Atelier achieved in its first edition was creating an environment in which everyone involved—advocates, startups, and counselors—was able to grow. In fact, four of the six projects secured agreements to continue. “Here at the University of Navarra, we are proud to be able to offer this trustworthy environment for building relationships,” said Carmen Azpurgua, associate director ofthe ISEM Fashion Business School.
But who wins here?
“It’s a very well-designed ecosystem,” notes Gonzalo Haffner, VP of Business Development at Nextail, a participant in the first edition of Atelier. “Everyone wins here, and for startups, it’s a unique opportunity to gain training, networking, and visibility in a safe environment.”
At Accenture, we are delighted to once again participate as a lead counselor in the Atelier by ISEM program. “Just as we did in the previous edition, we will make our Innovation Architecture and disruptive methodology available to all participants, which will help the Advocate Companies and the eight mentored startups increase the effectiveness of their approach to innovation and accelerate their implementation and integration,” said Coro Saldaña, leader of the Fashion practice for Accenture Spain, Portugal, and Israel.
“Large companies need the agility and fresh perspective of startups. Some of the Advocate Companies recognized during the first edition that it would have taken them years to develop some of these projects,” says David Luquin, Managing Director for Entrepreneurship and Education at the University of Navarra and head of the Atelier by ISEM project.
What's New This Year: Fitbit and Business Case
The major new developments in the second edition are, first, the launch of a pilot study to track entrepreneurs’ health and lifestyles, and, second, the commitment that all projects—regardless of their success—will be documented with a business case that will enable the dissemination of knowledge in future editions.
“The goals of the health study,” explained David Luquin, “are to provide tools to the program’s mentors and the entrepreneurs themselves to prevent health problems and burnout. To that end, the entrepreneurs will be equipped with Fitbit wristbands to monitor changes in their schedules, sleep (quantity and quality), physical activity, and heart health.”
Key dates of the call
- October 18. Call for applications opens
- November 23. Deadline for submitting projects
- December 7. Announcement of the 12 finalists
- December 20. The 12 finalists present their projects, and the jury selects the 8 candidates
- January 14–July 4. Acceleration Program
Download the Brochure for the Second Edition of Atelier by Isem
More photos from the launch of the second edition of Atelier by Isem
