Innovative UK-based SMEs looking to explore the sustainable fashion opportunities in India can apply to attend the Global Business Innovation Programme to Delhi and Mumbai taking place from March 28 to April 1, 2022.

The mission, led by Innovate UK and delivered by Innovative UK Edge, aims to help businesses expand international presence within India and create innovative partnerships in sustainable fashion.

The deadline for applications is January 25, 2022. Only 15 places are available for this programme and one (senior or CEO decision maker) delegate per company is permitted to attend. To be eligible, the company should be a small or medium sized business (up to 500 employees), be registered in the UK and be a high-growth innovative business with ambitions for global growth.

The programme has three phases: to help businesses to get ready for the market, visit the market and then exploit opportunities.

It is designed to provide valuable insights and gain detailed market knowledge, introductions and cultural benefits to enable companies to effectively access and exploit a market with new collaborations and partnerships, which businesses would find challenging to obtain themselves

This Global Business Innovation Programme visit focuses on India’s thriving sustainable fashion sector. India is an international superpower in textile and garment manufacturing, with the industry predicted to be the sixth largest in the world by 2022, worth over £44bn.

This initiative is particularly relevant for businesses focused on exploiting the opportunities for fashion collaborations within India on Net Zero Plus, including:

• Digitisation to address sustainability: Transition to a Digitised & Circular Fashion Industry e.g.  AI, NFT / Blockchain, 3D Automation
• Sustainability supply chain and end-of-life solutions: e.g. Reducing landfill waste, pollution, water reduction, transparency, upcycling and textile recycling
• Regenerative materials: Fibres and clothing issued from regenerative farming
• Inspiration from tradition: Zero waste practices, craft

With India being the fourth largest supplier of textile and apparel products to the UK, there is an opportunity for the UK fashion industry to work with India to lead the development of ethical and sustainability practices, and help address environmental challenges to benefit the economy for both nations.

To enter you will need to outline how your business is addressing sustainable challenges in fashion and how your business will benefit from taking part in the programme. You need to fill in an application form and upload a video pitch.

FIND OUT MORE AND APPLY

For more information, please contact event.enquiries1@innovateukedge.ukri.org