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M&S partners with 6 start-ups of Founders Factory network

11
Dec '19

Pic: Marks and Spencer

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.

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)

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