[pageLogInLogOut]

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

VF Corporation’s new incubator launches innovation competition

VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC), a global leader in branded lifestyle apparel, footwear, and accessories, today announced that its Venture Foundry incubator is launching an Entrepreneur In Residence (EIR) Innovation Challenge to identify and validate high-growth opportunities that furthers VF’s purpose of powering sustainable and active lifestyles for the betterment of people and the planet. To apply and learn more about the EIR Innovation Challenge, please visit: https://bit.ly/2StMWYt.

VF Venture Foundry invites Entrepreneurs to develop new commercial applications tailored to consumer needs and market opportunities in the apparel industry

The EIR Innovation Challenge is looking for smart, creative, and resilient entrepreneurs to help build the future of active and sustainable living by solving the challenges related to:

  • Overcoming Obstacles to the Outdoors
  • Preserving Unstructured Play in Nature
  • Enable Sustainable Movement
  • Personalizing the Process

U.S. based founders and entrepreneurially minded leaders from diverse backgrounds who have the creativity and curiosity to ignite change and disrupt industries are encouraged to apply.

“We’re excited to invite entrepreneurs into the collaborative environment we’ve built around Venture Foundry,” said Kent Bassett, VP and Head of Venture Foundry. “Venture Platforms along with Venture Foundry was created to help build new, disruptive businesses in high-growth spaces with the ability to rapidly experiment and validate new market opportunities. We want to continue to incubate and invest in new, leading-edge, consumer-led ideas that will serve both our brand portfolio and new markets that we find worthwhile.”





The newly created Entrepreneur-in-Residence role will have access to the resources needed in building an early stage startup business, but with the backing of VF’s larger infrastructure to develop and commercialize new business models, marketplaces, platforms, and ecosystems. All Innovation Challenge proposals should center around new forms of consumer engagement that deliver against or outside of VF’s current portfolio of brands.

The EIR Innovation Challenge follows the recent announcement of the launch of Venture Platforms, an innovation capability that will focus on identifying, developing, and investing in new, future-focused opportunities for VF and its portfolio of brands.

Built with the backing of the world’s most iconic brands, Venture Foundry is a new incubator under Venture Platforms focusing on new or evolving business models, platforms, experiences, and services. VF Venture Foundry is interested in ideas and approaches that meet broad-scale consumer needs, advance fast-growing technologies, and create new and innovative business models. To learn more about Venture Platforms, check out Venture Foundry here:

https://www.vfc.com/our-company/venture-foundry



More News from TEXDATA International

#ITM 2026

ITM 2026: The new geography of textile production

New production hubs are emerging across North Africa and Central Asia, while Türkiye is accelerating its transformation toward higher-value, technology-driven and more sustainable textile manufacturing.

#Research & Development

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

#Knitting & Hosiery

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

#Associations

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

More News on Textiles & Apparel / Garment

#Textile processing

YKK receives two ISPO Textrends awards for innovative fastening solutions

YKK Corporation is pleased to announce that its 3D Printed Snap Cap was named Best Product in the Accessories category of the ISPO Textrends, while Revived Replacement Elements for VISLON® AquaGuard® was named an ISPO Textrends Selection in the same category.

#Denim

Inside the Making connects denim and sportswear supply chains at Ecomondo 2026

Six European companies are joining forces at Ecomondo 2026 in Rimini to demonstrate how different stages of denim and sportswear production are interconnected. The new initiative, Inside the Making, highlights the importance of cooperation across the textile supply chain in addressing sustainability challenges, from reducing resource consumption to improving transparency and the reliability of environmental claims.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

MarediModa highlights transparency and traceability with InsideOut by C.L.A.S.S.

The InsideOut by C.L.A.S.S. exhibition at MarediModa 2026 in Cannes focused on transparency, traceability and the measurable values behind fashion products. Its Decalogue of Values aims to make environmental, social and production-related information more accessible throughout the textile supply chain.

#Denim

Catalyst Club connects fashion industry leaders and emerging talent at Kingpins Amsterdam

Following its debut in Florence, Catalyst Club hosted its second networking event during the Kingpins Show in Amsterdam, bringing together international fashion and denim industry representatives to exchange ideas, share experiences and explore new opportunities for collaboration.

Latest News

#Raw Materials

Global cotton consumption to exceed production in 2026/27 as Asian demand remains resilient

Global cotton consumption is projected to exceed production in the 2026/27 season as output declines across several major producing countries while demand remains relatively stable, according to the November edition of Cotton This Month, published by the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC).

#Recycled Fibers

C&A and Zalando join Altag® Fiber Club to accelerate adoption of agricultural waste-based fibres

Fashion for Good and AltMat announced today that C&A and Zalando have joined the Altag® Fiber Club as its first brand signatories, marking a critical commercial milestone in the journey to mainstream adoption of next-generation fibres derived from agricultural waste.

#Textile chemistry

PFAS restrictions drive innovation in waterproof breathable fabrics

Innovation in waterproof breathable fabrics and apparel is being driven by legislation restricting the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) as manufacturers develop alternative membranes and finishes for use in outdoor apparel, according to “Waterproof breathable fabrics: changing legislation is driving innovation”, a 50-page report from the global business information company Textiles Intelligence.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

ReHubs calls on industry experts to shape Textiles Recycling Expo 2027 conference programme

ReHubs is proud to continue its collaboration with Textiles Recycling Expo as the Structural Partner for the third consecutive year, reinforcing its commitment to bringing together the organisations, expertise and solutions needed to scale textile-to-textile recycling across Europe.

TOP