Written by The Fashion Advancement and Startup Training (F.A.S.T) Accelerator has equipped emerging fashion entrepreneurs with business management, financial literacy, marketing and other skills needed to build and grow sustainable businesses.
The inaugural cohort of the accelerator, jointly organised by FashionEVO Programs and 360Creative Innovation Hub, concluded with a Pitch and Graduation Ceremony held at the British Council in Lagos.
The programme provided selected participants with fully funded training through physical and virtual sessions covering brand positioning, financial literacy, storytelling, marketing, business pitching and strategic expansion.
As part of the programme’s final activities, 10 finalists presented their business models, market opportunities and growth plans before facilitators, industry representatives and other stakeholders.
Moses Agosu of MAK emerged as the winner of the pitch competition and received a N500,000 cash prize from FashionEVO. He also received business consultation, brand visibility and an opportunity to showcase his business at an upcoming FashionEVO event.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of FashionEVO and YD Company, Dr Yetty Ogunnubi, said the accelerator was created to address the business knowledge gap among emerging fashion entrepreneurs.
“F.A.S.T was created from the understanding that talent alone is not enough to build a sustainable fashion business,” Ogunnubi said.
She said the programme was designed to help participants strengthen their business knowledge, understand their markets, develop practical strategies and gain the confidence needed to grow their ventures.
“This first cohort is the beginning of a long journey of growth and impact,” she added.
Elizabeth Funmilayo Aweda of Fúmi emerged as the second-place winner, while Kusoro Samson of Kush Atelier placed third.
The three top finalists also received British Council gift packages and three-month onboarding opportunities with the Idozi Collective Retail Store.
The Co-founder and Managing Director of 360Creative Innovation Hub, Blessing Ebere Achu, highlighted the importance of creativity and collaboration in developing the participating businesses.
She urged the graduates to apply the knowledge acquired during the programme to strengthen their businesses.
Deputy Country Director at the British Council, Chilufya Besa, said completing the programme should mark the beginning of further opportunities for the participants.
“Today is about recognising your commitment, creativity, and hard work, but more importantly, it is about celebrating what comes next,” Besa said.
The programme concluded with the certification of the cohort and a business showcase, where participants displayed their collections to facilitators, industry representatives and other stakeholders.
The accelerator combines creative development with practical business training, giving emerging fashion entrepreneurs exposure to areas such as financial management, marketing, customer understanding and business pitching that are critical to building viable fashion enterprises.