In a major step towards a more sustainable textile and fashion industry, NEST (New Entrepreneurship for a Sustainable Textile industry) has opened applications for its 2024 bootcamp. This national initiative, started by Borås INK, eXpression Umeå, Xplot in Lund and Sting in Stockholm, aims to transform the industry from overproduction to on-demand, from linear to circular, and from hidden to transparent. 

Now in its third edition, NEST's catapult programme offers unique opportunities for entrepreneurs. The programme includes a bootcamp, business development lab, networking, and ends with a pitch final where the winner is rewarded with a SEK 75,000 scholarship from TEKO and funding up to SEK 300,000. 

Annelie Rådhall, NEST Programme Manager, underlines the programme's focus on innovation in everything from new materials to reducing returns: 

We are looking for entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas who want to make an impact in the textile and fashion industry. This can be anything from creating new innovative materials to reducing the number of returns. Transparency is an area that will receive a lot of focus in the future through the EU's upcoming laws on digital product passports. "Of course, tech and AI are extremely exciting to see what solutions they can create for the industry," says Mr K. K.. Annelie Rådhall, Programme Manager for NEST. 

NEST 2024 will be held at the Textile Fashion Center in Borås on 14-15 March, with lectures and demonstrations of innovative developments. The partnership between startups and industry is a central part of NEST, as evidenced by Kappahl's collaboration with RecoMended, the winner of the 2022 pitch final. 

Applications for the boot camp close on 18 February 2024. Read more and apply here