“IFM-Birimian Accelerator x Africa,” an unique acceleration program for developing African heritage companies in the fashion, accessories, and jewelry industries, has been launched by Birimian and the Institut Français de la Mode. The Birimian-funded initiative will assist 10 young designers for ten months each year, after a creative committee comprised of professionals from the international creative scene selects them for their talent, originality, and promise.

“The partnerships announced today meet the goals we set for ourselves when we launched Birimian: on the one hand, to support and train the young African creative guard by strengthening their skills and know-how to ensure their level of excellence; on the other hand, to enable them to accelerate their development by assisting them in integrating the fashion ecosystem and the internet. In this view, the two collaborations announced today are ideally complimentary, putting the history, tradition, and know-how of African heritage at the service of the international creative scene,” Laureen Kouassi-Olsson, Chairman and CEO of Birimian, said.

The application period begins on Monday, June 28 and concludes on August 31, 2021. A dedicated team of specialists will provide tailored assistance for the growth of the young creative brands selected by a dedicated team of experts in the major areas of need for a young creative house:

Birimian will provide investment, consulting, and support services to brands who participate in the initiative.

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This acceleration program will start and conclude in Paris, with the goal of immersing the selected businesses in the world capital of fashion and innovation and providing them with exclusive access to the ecosystem’s key actors.

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Birimian and WSN have formed a collaboration that should help African companies gain more awareness and expand their worldwide distribution options. Birimian and WSN intend to hold events on the margins of Parisian Market Week and Fashion Week to promote the program’s companies and designers as part of the acceleration program announced with the IFM.

How To Apply

Applications are open from Monday, June 28, to Tuesday, August 31, 2021 on Birimian’s website.

IFM-Birimian Accelerator x Africa IFM-Birimian Accelerator x Africa

Charles Rapulu Udoh

Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer who has advised startups across Africa on issues such as startup funding (Venture Capital, Debt financing, private equity, angel investing etc), taxation, strategies, etc. He also has special focus on the protection of business or brands’ intellectual property rights ( such as trademark, patent or design) across Africa and other foreign jurisdictions.
He is well versed on issues of ESG (sustainability), media and entertainment law, corporate finance and governance.
He is also an award-winning write