As Marks and Spencer (M&S) and Founders Factory joint venture Founders Factory Retail marks its first anniversary this month, M&S has started working with six start-ups selected from over 100 new businesses identified from Founders Factory’s global start-up network. The assessment is led by a dedicated investment committee with members from both sides.
Start-up Charged Up gives people power on demand through its network of portable power banks and offers a marketing tool that drives footfall and increases customer dwell time. It is live in over 1,000 locations across the United Kingdom, including 9 M&S stores, according to an M&S press release.As Marks and Spencer (M&S) and Founders Factory joint venture Founders Factory Retail marks its first anniversary this month, M&S has started working with six start-ups selected from over 100 new businesses identified from Founders Factory's global start-up network. The assessment is led by a dedicated investment committee with members from both sides.#
Texel offers a 3D scanning technology which gives customers the chance to create digital avatars, so they can find clothing most appropriate to their shape and size.
Rocketo is a healthy (raw, dehydrated and organic) environmentally responsible dog food product that is sold online as a subscription service. Rocketo products are also being stocked in 28 stores from early December.
The Drop offers made-to-measure suits at affordable prices. Customers can choose a suit, upload photo and their measurements and receive a tailor-made suit in three weeks, from just £299.
Cogz is a marketplace for farmers, growers and producers to sell surplus produce direct to trade buyers before it becomes food waste. Ruley is a concept still in development but has the potential to be a disrupter in the ethical and sustainable fashion influencer space.
Over 1,200 colleagues across stores and support centres have been engaged in the Founders Factory partnership , from attending showcase events through to providing insight and data to help the business assess which investments to pursue.
According to Brent Hoberman, co-founder of Founders Factory, the partnership works because there are clear benefits for both sides. For M&S, start-ups provide access to new, innovative ways of thinking; and for each start-up, M&S offers scale and credibility.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)