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The Fashion Advancement and Startup Training (F.A.S.T) Accelerator has concluded its inaugural cohort in Lagos, providing selected emerging fashion entrepreneurs with fully funded training in business management, financial literacy, marketing and other areas of enterprise development.
The programme, jointly organised by FashionEVO Programs and 360Creative Innovation Hub, ended with a Pitch and Graduation Ceremony at the British Council, Lagos, where 10 finalists presented their business models, market opportunities and growth plans.
The accelerator was delivered at no cost to selected participants through physical and virtual sessions covering brand positioning, financial literacy, storytelling, marketing, business pitching and strategic expansion. Moses Agosu of MAK emerged winner of the pitch competition and received a N500,000 cash prize from FashionEVO, alongside business consultation, brand visibility and a showcase opportunity at an upcoming FashionEVO event.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of FashionEVO and YD Company, Dr Yetty Ogunnubi, said the programme was designed 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 stated. “We wanted to create a platform where emerging fashion entrepreneurs could strengthen their business knowledge, understand their markets, develop practical strategies, and gain the confidence to take their businesses to the next level.
This first cohort is the beginning of a long journey of growth and impact.”
Elizabeth Funmilayo Aweda of Fúmi placed second, while Kusoro Samson of Kush Atelier came third. The three winners also received British Council gift packages and three-month onboarding opportunities with the Idozi Collective Retail Store.
The programme’s co-founder and Managing Director of 360Creative Innovation Hub, Mrs Blessing Ebere Achu, said creativity and collaboration were important to the development of the participating businesses, while urging the graduates to apply the knowledge gained during the programme.
Deputy Country Director at the British Council, Chilufya Besa, said the completion of 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 certification of the cohort and a business showcase where participants displayed their collections to facilitators, industry representatives and other stakeholders.
