The round table will explore ways to create textile and clothing industry start-ups based on innovative technologies, new product concepts and business models in order to maintain manufacturing in Europe.

 Several start-ups from different European countries, including UK, France, Belgium, Hungary, and Spain, will present their business ideas, innovative methods of production, as well as challenges and opportunities for creating and running a manufacturing start-up in Europe.

Panel structure

The panel discussion, moderated by Stephan Verin, International Executive Officer of Up Tex cluster, France, will offer a forward looking approach and possibly more interactivity and exchange of views.

The panel will include Frédéric OPSOMER, Projects BVBA, Belgium; Sébastien Ramel, Fitizzy, France; Rob Jones; Teatum Jones, UK; Melinda Manunta, e-Couture Kft, Hungary; Marcel Olive, Nooem, Spain; and Pierre Frouin, Bioserenity, France.

Opportunities and challenges

The panelists will share their views and experience on the origin of the idea and the developed business case/model; the identification of the challenges and opportunities of the addressed market; and will offer few key lessons for other textile and clothing start-ups the current and future developments.

Another topics discussed will include support from support structures (e.g. incubators, clusters, business angels’ funds, as well as problems faced when launching the start-up (access to finance, respect of EU/national legislation(s), training, etc.).

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