ISEM Fashion Business School, Fashion Business School of the University of Navarra, has presented in Madrid Atelier by ISEM, the first Spanish accelerator of startups that combine fashion and technology. "What is really innovative is the opportunity that startups will have to test their product for four months in one of our patron companies," says David Luquin, director of Atelier by ISEM.

Aristocrazy, Camper, Grupo Cortefiel, El Corte Inglés, El Ganso and Mayoral are the companies that will serve as a real scenario for the accelerated startups. There will be six national or international startups that will be part of the program and will be selected by a jury formed by the patron companies and Accenture, Metapartner of Atelier by ISEM. "They must offer a disruptive technological product that transforms the value chain of fashion companies," says David Luquin. Startups can apply until November 17.

"In Spain we have startups in smart fabrics, shopping experience, web and showrooming, tech devices and retail with good proposals and results, but a high percentage do not consolidate because they lack training in key areas such as digital marketing, corporate communication, finance, HR, CSR, legal...", explains Coro Saldaña, a director at Accenture.

"That's why we provide each startup with a Project Manager, a person with years of experience in the business world," says Coro Saldaña. Several companies specialized in different areas will be in charge of mentoring the startups, which will undergo a previous diagnosis to customize the training. "Atelier by ISEM has defined the most useful areas to offer the accelerated startups the right mentoring," explains David Luquin. Contiac, The Customer Spirit, Move Branding, Theventure.city, Telefónica On The Spot or Samsung are some of the companies in charge of the mentoring.

The program, which will last 10 months, will be held at ISEM's headquarters in Madrid. "We are well aware of the obstacles that entrepreneurs encounter when they want to go to market. For this reason, we believe that the 4-month test in a real company will be a definitive launch of their projects," says Teresa Sádaba, director of ISEM. Spanish fashion companies need to boost their growth and "at ISEM we believe that this boost must go hand in hand with technology", concludes Teresa Sádaba.