Canadian Creative Accelerator for Fashion Companies 2025 Program, hosted by the High Commission of Canada in the UK, and the Consulate General of Canada in New York
The Canadian Creative Accelerator (CCA) is a joint initiative of the High Commission of Canada in the UK and the Consulate General of Canada in New York (functioning under the banners of the Trade Commissioner Service and Global Affairs Canada, working in partnership with the Department of Canadian Heritage). This program aims to increase the scope and global reach of Canadian creative industries companies in the ready-to-wear apparel sector. Geared equally towards the UK and US markets, this CCA is aimed at emerging and established fashion companies who are ready for international growth.
This iteration of the CCA will launch in December 2024 and is open exclusively to Canadian fashion companies. The objective of the program is to create tangible economic outcomes and business growth for the fashion companies who participate in this CCA.
The program is open to men’s, women’s, children’s or gender-neutral ready-to-wear apparel companies who meet the following criteria:
- Their company operates and is based in Canada;
- Their company maintains a current and active commercial fashion business;
- They can prove the company’s financial and creative viability;
- They can effectively demonstrate how their company would benefit from exposure to the UK and US markets.
Program Overview
This cohort will participate in approximately three to four weeks of programming spread over four months, running from December 2024 through March 2025. During this period, participants will have a unique opportunity to gain access to influential UK- and US-based showrooms, sales agents, retail buyers, strategists, marketing experts, and other key decision-makers in the UK and US fashion industries. Participants will take part in curated workshops and meetings with industry experts, one-to-one pitch sessions, coaching, mentorship, and other online business development activities.
This program will be delivered mainly by virtual sessions, coupled with in-person programming in February 2025 (dates TBC); participants will be required to attend at least one of the two in-person missions in New York and/or London at their own expense.
A panel of UK and US industry professionals will be part of the jury to select up to ten Canadian companies whose collections and/or businesses have the most likelihood of success in the UK and US markets. Selected companies will be notified of acceptance into the program by the end of November 2024.Only those that can commit to the full scope of the program should apply. Exact dates for programming in January-March 2025 will be clarified upon acceptance into the program. All programming will be delivered in English.Applications close at 11:59pm EST on November 4, 2024.
Applications will be accepted in English or French, however we encourage applicants to apply in English if possible, given the jury members will be primarily English speaking. If a company would like to submit an application in French, please email first to discuss appropriate translation for our UK- and US-based judges.
The Canadian Creative Accelerator is committed to the inclusion of individuals which represent a diversity of voices. To ensure this commitment is strong and continually progressive we welcome and invite any feedback at the end of this application.
The Department of Canadian Heritage has asked us to include a link to their Creative Export Strategy Self-Identification Questionnaire to better understand who is accessing the Creative Export Strategy programs and services. This questionnaire is optional and has no bearing on this CCA application.
