Top 7 Fashion Accelerators in India and Globally (2025 Edition)

Fashion startup scene in 2025 is wider than ever, with new brands using digital innovation, sustainability, and D2C models to break through age-old barriers. But starting and scaling a fashion brand is not a cakewalk – especially in a crowded global market.

Fashion startup accelerators play a crucial role here. They provide well planned mentorship, access to funding, guidance on the product, and important industry connections that founders in the fashion niche need to grow. In this blog, we highlight 7 of the most impactful fashion accelerators, both in India and globally and will explain why Dariaan stands out as a unique player in this space.

Dariaan (India) – India’s Fashion First Startup Accelerator

Dariaan is one of the only fashion-focused startup accelerators in India, destined to support early-stage apparel, D2C, and retail-tech brands. Most accelerators treat fashion as a generic consumer product but Dariaan builds its entire program around the unique DNA of fashion entrepreneurship.

Why Dariaan Is Different:

• Fashion Focus: Exclusively accelerates fashion, apparel, and retail startups.
  
• Holistic Growth: Offers tools and mentorship tailored for Indian D2C brands.
  
• Retail Tech Integration: Helps brands digitize inventory, supply chain, and retail POS.
  
• Founder Branding: Dariaan trains founders on personal branding, storytelling, and influencer outreach.
  
• Geographic bond: Dariaan provides startup’s with deep insights into Indian markets like Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur, and Bangalore.
  

Ideal For:

Early stage fashion founders in India looking for localized, fashion-specific acceleration with digital strategies. Dariaan is suitable for any startup looking for holistic business growth.

Fashion for Good (Amsterdam)

Amsterdam is the headquarters for Fashion for Good, a global leader in sustainable fashion acceleration. They mainly focus on innovations across the supply chain like materials, production methods as well as circular fashion models.

Highlights:

• Global brand partnerships like Adidas and Zalando.
  
• Emphasis on environmental and ethical impact.
  
• Offers pilot projects, R&D access, and corporate collaborations.
  
• Connects startups with a global sustainability ecosystem.
  

Ideal For:

Founders who are working on sustainable fashion tech, biodegradable materials, or supply-chain transformation.

Startupbootcamp FashionTech (Milan)

One of Europe’s premier fashion-tech accelerators, Startupbootcamp Milan merges the legacy of Italian fashion with forward-thinking innovation.

Highlights:

• Focuses on wearable tech, smart textiles, AR/VR in fashion.
  
• Supported by mentors from Armani, Luxottica, and other luxury brands.
  
• Offers €15K in funding + co-working space in Milan.
  
• Deep collaboration with European fashion exhibitions and shows.
  

Ideal For:

Fashion startups combine tech innovation with luxury or performance wear.

New York Fashion Tech Lab (USA)

The following accelerator is based in the fashion capital of the U.S. and connects emerging fashion tech startups with retail giants like Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, and LVMH.

Highlights:

• Provides access to top U.S. retail brands for pilot projects.
  
• Impactful focus on AI, personalization, inventory analytics.
  
• Operates as a non-equity program to preserve founder ownership.
  
• Runs for 12 weeks with intensive retail immersion.
  

Ideal For:

Startups that solve retail specific problems using data, AI, or consumer behavior tools.

LVMH La Maison des Startups (France)

Hosted inside Station F in Paris, this exclusive program brings 50+ startups each year into direct collaboration with the world’s most iconic luxury brands under the LVMH umbrella.

Highlights:

• Strong luxury fashion exposure (Louis Vuitton, Dior, Fendi)
  
• Innovation in packaging, logistics, and in-store tech.
  
• Opportunities to pilot with top-tier maisons.
  
• High brand visibility and global press coverage.
  

Ideal For:

Fashion tech or service startups looking to penetrate the global luxury ecosystem.

London College of Fashion: Fashion Innovation Agency (UK)

Though not an age-old accelerator, FIA offers startup style partnerships and mentorship in fashion innovation which is supported by one of the world’s top fashion schools.

Highlights:

• Focus on fashion + immersive tech (AR/VR, digital fashion, Web3.0).
  
• Strong collaboration between designers and technologists.
  
• Supported by the UK Fashion & Textile Association.
  
• Partners include Microsoft and Snap Inc.
  

Ideal For:

Creative founders working on virtual fashion, gaming skins, NFTs, and immersive retail.

Techstars x Target Retail Accelerator (USA)

While not fashion exclusive, this program has accelerated dozens of fashion and lifestyle brands by giving them access to Target’s infrastructure, supply chain, and customer insights.

Highlights:

• Opportunity to pilot directly with Target.
  
• Focus on mass-market scalability.
  
• Includes mentorship on retail distribution, pricing, and packaging.
  
• Provides $120K in seed funding in exchange for equity.
  

Ideal For:

Founders building affordable fashion/D2C products for mass markets.

Dariaan vs Global Players: What Makes It Unique?

While global accelerators offer incredible exposure, most focus on fashion tech, luxury markets, or sustainability. Few programs like Dariaan truly understand the challenges faced by Indian fashion founders such as price-sensitive markets, manufacturing in Tier-2 cities, and building trust on limited marketing budgets.

Dariaan’s Unique Edge:

Feature	Dariaan	Global Accelerators
Focus	Fashion + D2C + Indian Market	Fashion Tech / Luxury / Global
Program Design	Built for early-stage Indian founders	Suited for advanced/well-funded
Mentor Network	Indian D2C, influencers, e-com experts	Retail corporate leaders
Post-Program Support	Extended (funding, PR, hiring help)	Often ends at Demo Day
Market Relevance	Geo-targeted (India cities + diaspora)	Global market, less local support

In essence, Dariaan isn’t trying to copy Silicon Valley. It’s building a fashion accelerator model rooted in Indian realities while preparing startups for global scale.

Conclusion

If you choose the right accelerator that can define the early trajectory of your fashion brand. While global programs like Fashion for Good and LVMH La Maison des Startups offer top-tier exposure, founders must analyse their readiness, product stage, and market alignment. If you’re a fashion founder in India looking to launch, scale, and succeed with local guidance and global ambitions, Dariaan is your best bet. With its sharp fashion first focus, retail tech integrations, and investor network, it’s bridging the gap between great fashion ideas and real, scalable businesses. 

Also Read: The Complete Guide to Launching a Fashion Brand with the Right Startup Accelerator