The global ambassadors of the great British highstreet, Topshop, are directing their attentions towards elevating and inspiring young entrepreneurs with their brand new Top Pitch scheme. According to my favourite fashion source, WWD, Top Pitch is focused on sourcing fashion-forward functional products and prototypes, including wearable technology and smart accessories. The selected companies will take part in a 4 week digital crash course in London starting in June which will include the chance to rub shoulders with industry experts such as Bethany Koby  of Technology Will Save Us and Topshop’s own Maddy Evans as well as creating a strong emphasis on mentorship and advice. At the end of the course the startups will pitch their new business plan to Sir Philip Green, owner of Topshop for the opportunity to see their product produced for the international brand.

The company is interested in pursuing a heavier inclination towards wearable tech, particularly garments rather than fitbits and the like, to see in increase in highstreet buyers investing in affordable tech. Green has expressed a keen desire to bolster young inventors and entrepreneurs in order to keep improving and evolving as a business. A mindset that has been Topshop sore under his leadership. Sheena Sauvaire, Topshop’s communications director had this to say  “As a brand we champion new platforms of innovation and we see wearable technology as an exciting area of further exploration. The merge of style and function has yet to have been seen in a true consumer-ready sense and our aim is to discover new-to-market, highly desirable product at accessible prices for our fashion-savvy customer.”

Topshop aren’t going it alone with this venture, they’ve enlisted top tech investment firm L Marks to help them pick out the most desirable business ideas and products. This exclusive opportunity is only for fashion tech startups and Top Pitch will be accepting applications until the 22^nd of May so if you think you’ve got what it takes to win over Sir Philip Green with your business plan you better get a move on to toppitch.co !

Edit: I’m so impressed by the Top Pitch website! So slick, so intuitive. I would expect nothing less from a the dream team that is Topshop and L Marks.