The H&M Foundation and our core partners are working closely with the winners throughout the year to give them the tools and network they need to accelerate their development, to scale and ultimately transform the industry.
The accelerator programme consists of:
- Business and Technology Readiness
- Innivation Readiness
- Industry Access & Investor Readiness
Business & Technology Readiness
Accenture provides business and technology readiness, while also giving access to a large network of experts. As a global professional services firm, Accenture has extensive experience in bringing innovations to market at speed. They help the winners to articulate their innovation’s multidimensional value, which is particularly valuable for early-stage start-ups.
Innovation Readiness
KTH Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), one of Europe’s leading technical and engineering universities, offers science and technology legacy, a framework for innovation development and guidance in key commercialisation areas.
KTH Innovation, the university’s innovation department, provides vast experience in technology commercialisation and innovation development through well-packaged frameworks, workshops and guidance. They are particular good at early-stage innovation development, and has supported over 3,000 ideas since its start in 2007 with help from their KTH Innovation Readiness Level™ model.
Industry Access & Investor Readiness
The Mills Fabrica bridge the gap between innovators and industry players through their incubator programme, impact fund and innovation spaces. They also provide the winners with investment readiness and peer portfolio synergies as well as industry exposure, ecosystem network and collaboration opportunities.
Learn more at themillsfabrica.com
“Sustainability is the new digital – it will create the most powerful force of change in our generation, transforming how we live and work, and driving new value and growth.”
– Josefine Olsson, Europe Lead Future Tech, Technology Strategy & Advisory at Accenture
“The GCA Impact Accelerator is one of the best in the fashion industry thanks to its comprehensive approach and focus on key capabilities required to successfully scale-up a business, ranging from funding, team building and culture, leadership, and fashion industry expert sessions.”
– Amit Gautam, TextileGenesis, GCA winner 2020
“Beyond financial support, investors should also play an active role in support portfolio companies, provide strategic advisory and connections with the industry, while taking a thought-leadership position to empower stakeholders in integrating sustainable practices in their businesses and catalyse collaborations.”
– Vanessa Cheung, founder of The Mills
The role of H&M Foundation
The H&M Foundation uses our strong fashion heritage to position winning teams within the industry ecosystem. Besides the financial grant, we offer access to industry networks, as well as visibility and recognition. Coaching and support are central to the GCA Impact Accelerator and winners receive valuable tools to fill their toolboxes with, to ensure they are ready for the next step on their journey.
Please note that neither H&M Foundation nor H&M Group will take any shareholder equity or intellectual property rights in the innovations, as the idea is to benefit the entire industry.
A universe of brilliant minds
Winners of the Global Change Award learn a lot from each other and develop strong connections throughout our one-year GCA Impact Accelerator programme. Each year this network of ambitious and motivated entrepreneurs has grown and today consists of more than 100 brilliant minds. The alumni exchange tips, connections and support each other, and also join in with parts of the GCA Impact Accelerator.
Our extended network – a true ecosystem
Along with our core partners Accenture, KTH and The Mills Fabrica, we collaborate with an everchanging ecosystem of partners and peers to build a strong accelerator programme. Our partners generously share their expertise and are an invaluable sounding board to the winners. They also offer industry access, mentorship and know-how to equip the winners with the best possible steppingstone to market realisation.
