Start it Fashion

Grow your fashion network
Grow your creative business

Applications for 2025 are open!

Deadline to apply: February 25th | 23h59

Bring your creative vision to life in the city of fashion

Start it Fashion is a program designed to launch pre-startups, advanced startups and scale-ups navigate the fashion industry.

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The power of Start it Fashion

Take from our Alumni

I've never grown so much as I have in this last year in the first fashion accelerator program. It was amazing to see all the interest and support from the community in what we have achieved, and who we have become!

Shayli Harrison - MUTANI

Start it Fashion provided not just business guidance and support, but a hashtag#network of like-minded individuals who understand the wild ride of entrepreneurship.

Sara Kovic - OKRET

Why apply?

Expand your network, business, skills, and market reach with personalized coaching and bootstrapping support, all with no strings attached.

Navigate the fashion industry

Discover the innovation surrounding creative businesses in Antwerp.

4 fashion training days

Hands-on exercise with one or more experts on 4 different topics:Trendsetting in Fashion, Marketing strategy & personal branding, Pricing &Trendsetting in the fashion industry

3 expert talk days

3 times during the year, gain the opportunity of one-on-one sessions with 8 different experts in Flanders DC, accountancy, storytelling, and growth and sales, etc

Quality mentorship & Inspiring workspace

Get tailored business coaching to help you grow & enjoy 12 months of coworking space in our inspiring Antwerp hub.

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A unique one-year program, navigating the fashion industry:

43 hours of personalised coaching, spread across 12 months (16 more than the standard program)
6 workshops specifically focused on fashion & creation on top of regular training offer
Networking evenings exclusively focused on fashion startups, organised by the City of Antwerp & Start it @KBC
A fashion SIG (Special Interest Group) focusing on themes such as hardware development, sustainability & SAAS platforms

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Fashion in Antwerp

A specialised program added on top of the existing Start it @KBC accelerator program, tailored to the specific needs of fashion startups.

Powered by the City of Antwerp

Application process

Online Infosession12.02.2025Discover how to accelerate your fashion business. Get your questions answered by experts and our program manager.

Live Infosession | Fahion Unleashed19.02.2025Join us at AMUZ, 19:30–midnight, for a lively info session, fashion showcases, and networking.

Application Deadline25.02.2025Applications are open!

Pitch day19.03.2025Pitch your startup in 3 minutes to a jury in Antwerp. Prove your creativity and scalability.

Start your 1-year journey02 & 03.04.2025After the selection and pitch days, we start your journey with 2 full-days Bootcamp

Fashion bootcamp29.04.2025Specific day tailored to adress our fashion program milestones

Full one-year program

01 Bootcamp29th of AprilThe new cohort is invited to a mandatory bootcamp to take part in workshops, mentor mayhem, partner introductions, and get to know the Start it @KBC team better.

02 AccelerateDuring the first 6 months of acceleration we focus on challenging you on what you really need, introduce you to experts and mentors who can help you, and follow up closely on your progress.

03 Pulse sessionWe wrap up the accelerate phase with a check-in by fellow entrepreneurs. Your progress will be assessed on key metrics, including business (OKRs, progress) and commitment to the program.

04 GrowAfter the Pulse Session, it’s on to the following 6 months of the program! You will expand your network and work with our team to continue growing your business. We’re here for you!

05 Optional OKR sessionsOKRs meetings is mandatory in the first 6 months. In the last 6 months (Grow Phase) monthly OKR can be facilitated between peers, they are voluntary and the business coach will not join.

06 GraduateAfter 12 months, it’s time to spread your wings and fly out into the world. As a Start @KBC community member for life, you can still count on our network and get a reduced rate on co-working space.