Fashion Startup Incubator in Paris
Launch your fashion business in Paris with our fashion startup incubator Paris program designed for entrepreneurs with big ambition. Join us on a 6 or 12-month journey of intense startup navigation through our Paris fashion incubator, where no two paths will be the same.
In partnership with
Launch your fashion business in Paris. Develop your entrepreneurial and professional skills.
Partner
Next cohorts
January 2026
September 2026
Location
Paris, France
Fees
EUR 3000, 6 months
EUR 5500, 12 months
Startup Program overview
This 6 or 12-month Startup Program is a full-time professional development initiative specifically designed to help kickstart your fashion business. Delivered like a startup incubator, it’s an intense program for entrepreneurs with a big idea wishing to launch a fashion business in Paris with the support of industry gurus. If you’re an entrepreneur with a vision, big ambition, and the hunger to drive change, then we are your best fashion partner in the heart of Paris fashion startup program excellence.
Cohorts begin every 6 months with full-time access to our fashion innovation lab named Foundry Powered by IFA Paris based in the 19th district of Paris. The focus is on you developing your startup idea into a feasible business opportunity, which we support you by laying the foundations of your startup through masterclasses, coaching, networking events, and access to our ecosystem.
Who’s the Startup Program for
Early-stage fashion startups and ambitious fashion entrepreneurs looking to launch in Paris. You must have a business idea to join, that could be to launch a fashion brand, fashion tech startup, or innovative fashion service.
International applicants are welcomed – our English-language program supports those without prototypes yet, committed to market launch within 12 months, needing help with business bases, specialist facilities, proposition definition, team building, client acquisition, partnerships, and investor readiness. Full-time engagement is encouraged at the Foundry Powered by IFA Paris office and lab.
Key information
Program delivery: workshops, mentors, and network
The program is split into two phases designed to take you through a rigorous process in our early stage fashion incubator in Paris:
Phase 1: Discover & Define
The first phase focuses on identifying industry issues, market gaps, real customer pain points, and potential solutions to solve them. There is a huge emphasis on completing field research as quickly and efficiently as possible in order to find the minimum viable category (MVC) and the potential business opportunity. By the end of month 3, you should be ready to ideate the solution.
Phase 2: Develop & Deliver
The second phase focuses on the initial product release for customer feedback to achieve product-market fit. There is a huge emphasis on working in sprints and systematic iterations to reach a prototype ready for the world. Each founder receives key milestones throughout their fashion incubator journey, with accountability to their assigned mentor.
Industry Practice
Startups on the 12-month track can secure internships with companies of their choice. The objective is to validate specific skills and competencies transferable to their entrepreneurial project. For internships in France, the maximum legal period is 6 month. Individuals can request an internship contract (Convention de Stage) through IFA Paris - a unique benefit of our international fashion incubator.
Showcase events
Successful startups are provided with opportunities to showcase their business and products or solutions to the industry. If the startup wishes to participate they must hit all negotiated milestones set by the program team. By the end of month 12, founders are expected to have a market-ready prototype through our fashion incubators support. Read here about previous events:
Application process
Each cohort has up to 15 startups and you may join us as a lone entrepreneur or apply as a team*.
Submission requirements: Completed online application form.
There is an application fee of €50 TTC
*For team applications there should be one lead applicant. Each team member will need to pay a fee to access the program & space.
International applicants must ensure that they are legally able to live and work in Paris. A one-off admin fee is charged to process international paperwork (visas, bank details etc.).
Foundry Powered by IFA Paris is officially recognised as a provider of incubation activity and services for technology-led startups. This means that fashion tech related startups may obtain the necessary paperwork from us to acquire the French Tech Visa (Talent Passport) to develop their project for 4 years in France.
About us
Foundry Powered by IFA Paris is the premier fashion startup incubator fuelling ambitious entrepreneurs. Transform your fashion vision into a market-ready prototype – it’s your launchpad to global success in the heart of a fashion capital. Get in touch and learn more!
About our partner: IFA Paris
IFA Paris, powering our fashion startup incubator Paris, offers over 40 years of excellence in fashion design, luxury, and fashion business education. Known for Bachelor Fashion Design, MBA Fashion Entrepreneurship, and programs blending creativity with fashion tech, IFA Paris provides industry-ready skills through hands-on projects and multicultural support – the ideal academic foundation for your Paris fashion incubator journey.
Past incubated startups
T-Fashion - Cohort 2, Turkey/Canada
T-Fashion is an AI trend forecasting and generative design platform.
Maison Shri - Cohort 6, Sri Lanka
Maison Shri is a fashion brand blending Sri Lankan craftsmanship with Parisian flair.
Krippit - Cohort 2, Canada
Krippit creates 3D printed high heel protectors and accessories for the shoes.
The fashion innovation lab
All startups on the Fashion Startup Incubator program have exclusive access to a private office in the 19th district of Paris. Here you can hold business meetings, work at hot desks, and access machinery. You’ll also have access to the new IFA Paris campus in the 5th district, a beautifully renovated hotel particulier.
Fashion Startup Incubator in Paris
September or January 2026
Fees
EUR 3,300 6 months
EUR 5,500 12 months
