The full name of the program? Textil.Accelerator of the Center for Entrepreneurship at Reutlingen University. In short: Stoff im Kopf. Because all participants >>> definitely have that. Everyone in their own way. The range of start-up projects that are launched at each edition is correspondingly broad. From the computer-controlled loom // Jacques Loom to pressure-point clothing // trykk to the world’s first parcel backpack // Pikapak, the range on offer for the seventh edition included all imaginable innovative ideas with which various problems can be solved.
The Stoff im Kopf accelerator program offers the opportunity to benefit from an extensive support network and to develop business ideas to market maturity. The Textil.Accelerator mentors (e.g. Sandra Völz FCC Karrierefabrik, GREENSTYLE founder Mirjam Smend, and many more >>>) support the teams with industry know-how and with the development of the network. The program partners provide coworking spaces and laboratories.
DemoDay #7 // the grand finale of Stoff im Kopf #7
On DemoDay (June 16), 16 start-up teams and solopreneurs showed what they had worked on and learned over the past few weeks at the InnoPort Reutlingen. After three hours and 16 three-minute pitches, the jury (including Judith Behmer // The Magic Thread gUG, Sebastian Schulz-Dobrick // Achahha >>>, Mirjam Smend // GREENSTYLE, Sandra Volz // FCC-Karrierefabrik) decided which seven teams received a prize. Of course they were all excellent!
In the “Sustainability” category, GREENSTYLE has set an award: a portrait and inclusion in the Brand Directory. The award was presented by Mirjam, who was also on the jury as a mentor:
Congratulations, Atelier Courage!
Susanne Hütter, Halina Hahn and Anna Jakobs founded a social tailoring workshop that produces prototypes and small collections locally and ecologically for fashion startups in Cologne and the surrounding area. Women who are disadvantaged on the labor market should be given fair and secure employment here. The focus of the productions is on yoga/streetwear, underwear and swimwear – the three Cologne entrepreneurs bring these textile skills with them.
We are already big fans of Atelier Courage and look forward to everything that is to come. Stay tuned!
Other award winners are Branini, Pikapak, Kiigo, T-Boo, Robotextile and Anima Vintage.
And now the program is entering its 8th round. Who’s in?
We are looking for passionate founders who want to take their textile entrepreneurial careers to the next level in a four-month intensive program. For this you need:
- an innovative business idea in the textile sector
- the dream of founding your own start-up in the field of FAIR / FASHION / SMART (or to reach the next level with start-ups that have already been founded)
Next steps for the application:
Selection pitch: July 25, 2023 at 4 p.m. 3-minute pitches in front of the jury. The best talents for the Textil.Accelerator are selected by experts from the partner companies.
Schedule for the In Mind #8 teams:
Kick-off in Reutlingen: September 21, 2023 from 1 p.m
Online: 4-month program including personal coaching, mentoring, labs, co-working, textile network, workshops, master classes, lectures
Excursions to partner companies in the region
Intermediate sprint (online): November 16, 2023 at 3 p.m
DemoDay in Reutlingen: January 26, 2024 from 2 p.m
Apply here until July 16, 2023 for the 4-month qualification program Stoff im Kopf #8 >>>
In cooperation with Südwesttextil e.V. Funded as part of the state campaign Start-up BW.
