Type of support:
Target audience:
Project holderSector:
Fashion and design
What is it about?
MAD Brussels aims to promote the Brussels fashion and design ecosystem while encouraging innovative, sustainable, and inclusive entrepreneurship. As an essential pillar of this mission, the MAD Incubator program offers a unique opportunity for designers to push the boundaries of the industry.
The MAD Incubator programme is intended for the following projects :
- Creating a creative structure
- Development of fashion and design projects (products, furniture, materials, fashion collection, accessories, etc.)
- Fashion and design-related services
- Development of innovative materials
These sectors are eligible for the MAD Incubator program :
- Furniture design, collectibles, products, services, innovative materials
Fashion design, accessories, textiles, innovative materials
- The MAD Incubator program is intended for :
- entrepreneurs, startups, professionals, researchers, and creators based in Brussels, active in the Cultural and Creative Industries sectors of fashion and design.
- entrepreneurs, startups, professionals, researchers, and creators based in Brussels, active in the Cultural and Creative Industries sectors of fashion and design.
- The MAD Incubator program is for this kind of companies :
- Companies: VSEs
- Start-up
- Self-employed and individuals registered in a cooperative of activity, employment cooperative or company
- Starters
What are the selection criteria?
1. Economic potential of the project
During the pre-selections and juries, we will analyze the economic potential of the project:
- Feasibility & required resources
- Addressing a need/desire
- Project development & duration
- Target audience & clientele
- Impact on the Brussels and international territories
- Innovative, sustainable, and inclusive characteristics
2. Creative Wealth, Originality & Innovation
Candidates must demonstrate the added value of their project from both innovative and sustainable and/or inclusive perspectives. We will pay attention to:
- Innovative and/or sustainable materials
- Production processes (short, circular, sustainable...)
- Identity, personality & uniqueness of the project
What do you receive?
- To kick-off the 2-year programme, the 10 chosen designers will attend a workshop week at Domaine de Boisbuchet. This week will take place in the period early July - end August.
- A furnished workshop space (20m2 - 50m2) from mid-October 2024 to end September 2026. A minimum rental fee is charged for general consumption costs. This price is calculated based on the number of square metres of your workshop. Some workshops are shared by several designers. The allocation of workshop spaces will be decided in consultation with MAD Brussels.
- A shared fashion & design workshop space with various machines at the disposal of the residents
- Business seminar and workshop programming
- Coaching sessions by business and communication experts from the fashion & design sectors
- Professional support from actors in the Brussels Capital Region and the City of Brussels
- Meetings with designers, professionals & companies
- Visibility through MAD & network
- Local & international visits
- Access to open calls and projects related to the City of Brussels and other institutions and companies in the Cultural and Creative Industries sectors of fashion and design
Remember what data?
- Deadline for applying : 21 April 2024 (23:59)
- Mid-may : preselection and jury
- End of May : announcement of the 10 selected residents
How to apply?
To apply for the MAD Incubator programme, complete the online form and attach the required documents (CV & portfolio) and the optional documents (marketing strategy, communication strategy and financial plan) by no later than Sunday 21 April 2024 (23:59).
After the initial pre-selection, we will contact you for the jury, which will take place at MAD in mid-May.
The selection process
The process will unfold in 4 stages:
- Submit your application via the online form
- Based on your online submission, we will analyse your candidature and a pre-selection will be made.
- If you are selected during the pre-selection, you will be invited to present your project to the jury. The jury consists of members of the MAD team and external business experts from the fashion and design sector. You will explain your project and your goals for the MAD incubator programme to the jury at MAD Brussels.
- The 10 selected MAD Incubator residents will be announced at the end of May.
Need of information?
For any questions, please contact Adeline Faveau - adeline.faveau@mad.brussels