Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA), the non-profit organisation for advanced fabrics, has partnered with MIT-Venture Mentoring Service (MIT-VMS) to launch the Advanced Fabric Entrepreneurship Programme (AFEP). The first 24 venture teams have been selected to join the programme to starting innovative advanced fabric businesses in the US.

AFFOA’s mission is to catalyse a domestic manufacturing-based revolution, converting traditional fibres, yarns, and textiles, into highly sophisticated, integrated, and networked devices and systems, facilitating the transformation of the textile industry into a value-added, high-tech industry. Recognising that entrepreneurs and start-ups are a crucial part of any technology revolution and growing economy, AFFOA has partnered with MIT-VMS to launch this year-long programme aimed at supporting entrepreneurs and providing them with the foundation necessary for commercial launch of an innovative fabric-based venture.

The programme aims to lower the barrier to innovation and commercialisation in the advanced functional fabric space. The training and support offered to the fabric entrepreneurs builds on 17 years of experience that MIT-VMS has had supporting hundreds of ventures and start-ups. The programme seeks to develop fabric entrepreneurs by combining IP, knowledge and entrepreneurship from universities, rapid prototyping through AFFOA’s Fabric Innovation Network (FIN), consumer insights, and funding from industry and resources from public and private sectors in order to accelerate product and business model innovation in MA and across the country. (GK)