Introducing the Indigenous Fashion Support (IFS) Program!
The Indigenous Fashion Support (IFS) Program is a virtual incubation program that supports Indigenous entrepreneurs to experience the journey of building a business in the fashion industry. With a focus on fashion, product and technology, the program enables participants to sharpen their entrepreneurial skills while developing real-life solutions.
The IFS program combines the 100 Steps 2 startup (external link) curriculum, along with mentorship from industry experts to take participants from ideation to commercialization, with as little risk as possible.
The IFS program is open to Ryerson students, alumni and community members 18+. The program is open to all self-identifying Indigenous people in Canada. If you have any questions with the application, please contact fashionzone@torontomu.ca.
About The IFS Program
Through the program, you will:
- Meet like-minded creatives
- Validate ideas through research and data-driven decision making
- Develop a minimum viable product (MVP)
- Establish go-to-market strategies
- Work with mentors and industry advisors to get support in business development
- Access workshops and programming on marketing, sales, and pitching, through the Fashion Zone and across the Zone Learning community
- Gain exposure to industry-standard prototyping and design tools and equipment
Program Timeline
After reviewing applications, the Fashion Zone team will contact successful candidates via email. The program takes place Oct 15, 2020 - January 22, 2021, and is completely virtual until further notice. At the end of the 12-week program, teams will pitch to a panel of experts. A full program timeline is below:
Application window: Sept 21- Oct 5th, 2020
Program start date: Oct 15, 2020
Program duration: 12 weeks
Oct 16 - Jan 21, 2021
RU Holidays Dec 18-Jan 3
Team Formation
Interested students can apply with a business idea or with an existing business in the early stages. If you are currently working with a team, you can add up to 3 additional team members. You also apply as an individual without an idea to join a team.
Participant Requirements
The IFS program is open to Ryerson students, alumni and community members 18+. The program is open to all indigenous people in Canada.
Participants should:
- Be Canadian Aboriginal (First Nation, Métis, Inuit) or Indigenous from elsewhere residing in Canada
- Have an interest in entrepreneurship or a business idea/innovative solution
- Submit a complete and qualifying application form
- Be available during the length of this program
- Have the ability to work on their project for 10 -15 hours per week
- Participate in mandatory scheduled meetings and virtual workshop
Should you have any questions with the application, please contact fashionzone@torontomu.ca
The name and photo associated with your Google account will be recorded when you upload files and submit this form.
Apply to The IFS Program
Creative, Indigenous-led Ideas and Businesses.