An initiative by ZERØTEC
Fashion 4.0 connects founders, investors, researchers and industry partners shaping the next generation of fashion innovation.
But fashion-tech founders are 3x less likely to get VC funding than any other tech sector.
01
Founders leave for stronger ecosystems.
02
Investment follows where founders build.
03
1 in 3 considering moving HQs abroad.
04
Founders, investors, brands and researchers remain disconnected, slowing innovation across the industry.
Sometimes I get a little jealous seeing how connected US founders seem to be. Meanwhile in London, everything can feel so guarded and gatekeep-y.
I wanted to talk through a bug I’d finally fixed, and my friends just said, ‘Can we talk about literally anything else?’
I’m just a little lonely and wish someone in my circle understood the obsession.
Even when I message other founders directly asking for five minutes, I just get ghosted.
UK investors tend to have a lower risk appetite, so early-stage founders can end up feeling like it’s everyone for themselves.
I don’t come from money, I don’t have family who can back me, and my circle of friends is small.
I’ve been trying to find a possible co-founder... however it seems harder than what I expected.
Where are the London founders building in public, sharing the process, and finding each other?
No one to tell when something breaks or something finally works.
When I’m at my desk at 11pm on a Tuesday it feels incredibly lonely.
So you feel empowered.
A founder-led network built to help fashion-tech founders find the people, access and momentum they need.
Every member is reviewed to ensure meaningful connections across founders, investors, brands and research institutions. Founder-led. Free to join. Curated by design.
Access a trusted network spanning venture capital, global brands, universities and public institutions, designed to accelerate meaningful collaboration. Tired of cold outreach? Build warm introductions with us.
Our members have already raised over £20M, created 35 jobs and launched collaborations across six critical fashion-tech sectors. Success is measured by outcomes, not LinkedIn connections.
35
Full-time jobs created
9/12
Regions of the UK covered
Where our founders are based
£20M
Raised by members
Backed by
Leading VC investment
& public funding
6
Critical sectors addressed
Sectors we cover
Read the case study for ZERØTEC, LFW, and why the ecosystem needed a home.
Read our story →Answer six quick questions to discover whether our ecosystem is the right fit for you. Takes less than a minute.
Yes — free for founders, always. No paid tiers, no hidden fees. Brands, investors and other partners engage through separate commercial partnerships; that’s what funds the community, not founder membership fees.
UK fashion-tech founders at any stage, from pre-idea to scaling. Applications are reviewed personally by Nicholas. We’re selective — because quality matters.
A member directory, an opportunities board, events, a monthly bulletin, and introductions made by people who know both of you. And an honest answer to ‘am I ready to raise.’
Fashion 4.0 is an initiative founded by Nicholas Betts, who also founded ZERØTEC. It operates independently — ZERØTEC is one of many member companies.
To apply you need to be a registered UK business. If you’re a fashion student, check out our LFW page — we have opportunities for you there. The community itself is only for founders, but we welcome everyone to come to our events — they’re open.
Follow what we’re building.