Qatar-based fashion and design business incubator Scale7 has unveiled the first Accelerator Program in the country for the fashion and design industry.
The 10-week intensive Acceleration Program which is organized in line with Scale7’s vision to be a catalyst for reshaping fashion & design technology in the region, and beyond will run from April 6 to June 22, 2021.
The initiative is expected to empower participating startups in their “scale-up phase” to accelerate their growth and further develop their products and services within the context of the latest industry dynamics.
Scale7, an initiative by Qatar Development Bank (QDB) and Qatar Museums-backed innovation and entrepreneurship startup hub M7 shortlisted 13 innovative startups from over 30 applications through a thorough & meticulous selection process. 6 startups were chosen for the Accelerator Program after being judged by a panel from the entrepreneurial ecosystem along with fashion and design specialists and experts who reviewed presentations made by the shortlisted startups on a virtual selection day.
The program is expected to provide specialized mentoring & guidance and deliver business development activities, enabling participating startups to grow locally & expand globally, all while boosting sales & building a robust customer base. The focus of the program will be on fundraising and international development.
On the launch of the Accelerator Program, Mr. Abdulaziz Bin Nasser Al-Khalifa, Chief Executive Officer of QDB, said, “Despite these unprecedented times and the current challenges faced globally, the Accelerator Program has been launched to facilitate ambitious entrepreneurs overcome the inevitable challenges of running a startup and to fulfill their ambitions to become independent, successful businesses. This program will offer a suitable innovative environment for promising startups in the fashion and technology sector to explore ways to boost their growth. We are convinced that by joining this program, our local entrepreneurs will be able to scale higher and compete globally, subsequently paving the way for future Scale7 waves.
Participants of the Accelerator Program will receive professional one-on-one mentoring & guidance sessions with industry specialists as well as partners from world-class professionals and global leaders in fashion technology. They are also offered co-working space at Scale7 along with financial support for their nascent businesses along with excellent networking opportunities.
