New York Fashion Tech Lab

What New York Fashion Tech Lab does

New York Fashion Tech Lab (NYFTLab) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit accelerator program founded in 2014 and co-founded by Springboard Enterprises and The Partnership Fund for NYC. The Lab operates a single annual cohort in which women-led, B2B, early- to growth-stage retail technology startups apply competitively; applications are reviewed and ranked by the Lab team and partner retailers, and selected companies receive introductions, structured feedback, and collaboration access. The program also runs weekly educational sessions, an Expert Network of 100+ industry professionals and investors acting as informal advisors, and an Experiential Event held during New York Fashion Week for the cohort to present to retail executives, investors, and press.

The program does not build or sell any technology product of its own; its "platform" is the curated relationship between cohort startups and 7 anchor retail/brand partners—AEO Inc., Gap Inc., J.Crew Group, lululemon, Saks Global, The TJX Companies, Inc., and Tapestry—across 55+ emerging B2B retail tech categories including AI, AR/VR, blockchain, circular economy, personalization, sustainability, and customer experience.

Revenue mechanics are deliberately small and transparent: a $100 non-refundable application fee per applicant and a $1,500 participation fee per accepted startup, with no equity taken. Operating sustainability is driven by retail/brand partner support and Springboard Enterprises' sponsorship. For 2026 the program is being restructured under the name 'The Collective,' scaling cohort size from 6-10 startups to 16-20 and introducing a 200-attendee Experiential Event in September 2026. The organization's leadership includes co-founder Kay Koplovitz (Springboard Enterprises) and managing director Jackie Trebilcock.

Name

New York Fashion Tech Lab

Legal name

New York Fashion Tech Lab

Website

https://nyftlab.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

New York Fashion Tech Lab is a 501(c)(3) non-profit accelerator that runs an annual competitive cohort connecting women-led B2B retail technology startups with leading retailers and brands for mentorship, feedback, and introductions, culminating in a New York Fashion Week showcase.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Accelerator Program

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)

Keywords

• Retail tech accelerator
• Fashion tech incubator
• Startup accelerator program
• Women-led accelerator
• B2B retail innovation

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Program Participation Fees: The Lab generates revenue through a two-tier fee structure: a $100 non-refundable application fee to apply, and a $1,500 participation fee for companies accepted into the program. The Lab explicitly states it does not invest or take equity from participating companies.
2. Retail Partner Support: Each year's Lab is supported by leading retailers and brands who participate in reviewing applications, engaging with startups, and providing mentorship and potential commercial relationships. This support enables the program's operations as a 501(c)(3) non-profit.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The New York Fashion Tech Lab is a 501(c)(3) non-profit accelerator program that runs an annual cohort ("The Collective") connecting women-led, B2B retail technology startups with leading retailers and brands. Selected startups receive introductions, collaboration, and feedback from retail/brand partners, investors, and an Expert Network of industry advisors, and exhibit at an Experiential Event during New York Fashion Week. The Lab charges a $100 application fee and a $1,500 participation fee, and does not invest in or take equity from participating companies.

Product overview

The New York Fashion Tech Lab is a non-profit accelerator program (not a technology product company) that connects women-led, B2B retail technology startups with leading retailers and brands. The program operates as an annual cohort model called 'The Collective,' providing participating startups with introductions and collaboration opportunities with retail partners, access to an Expert Network of industry advisors and investors, educational workshops and sessions, and visibility through an Experiential Event during New York Fashion Week. The Lab does not invest or take equity in participating companies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Collective Annual cohort-based accelerator that selects women-led, B2B retail technology startups through a competitive review by retail and brand partners, Springboard Enterprises, and the Lab team, providing introductions, collaboration, and feedback with participating retailers, brands, investors, and the Expert Network.
• Expert Network Curated network of industry experts and investors (100+) who act as informal advisors to companies accepted into the program, providing connections, perspective, and strategy guidance.
• Experiential Event Annual in-person event during New York Fashion Week in September where selected startups demonstrate their technologies to up to 200 retailers, brands, investors, and press attendees.
• Accelerator Program Sessions Weekly sessions, workshops, and discussions on issues relevant to retail technology companies, providing educational programming and peer networking for participating startups during the cohort.
• Alumni Portfolio Ongoing recognition and community membership for companies that have completed the program, forming the NYFTLab alumni network spanning from 2014 to present.

Quantifiable outcome

• Capital raised by Springboard Enterprises portfolio companies: $9.5 billion
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• AEO Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor retail partner supporting the NY Fashion Tech Lab program. Participates in reviewing applications, ranking startups, and engaging with selected companies.
• Gap Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor retail partner supporting the NY Fashion Tech Lab program. Participates in reviewing applications and engaging with women-led B2B retail tech startups.
• J.Crew GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor brand partner participating in the NY Fashion Tech Lab accelerator program.
• lululemoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor brand partner supporting the NY Fashion Tech Lab program.
• Saks GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor retail partner participating in the NY Fashion Tech Lab program.
• The TJX Companies, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor retail partner supporting the NY Fashion Tech Lab program.
• TapestrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor brand partner (owner of Coach, Kate Spade, Stuart Weitzman) participating in the NY Fashion Tech Lab.
• Springboard EnterprisesflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder and current owner/producer of the NY Fashion Tech Lab as a 501(c)(3) non-profit venture catalyst. Springboard Enterprises has a 19-year track record with $9.5B capital raised, 190+ exits, and 19 IPOs. Founded by Kay Koplovitz to bring women founders to full parity in raising capital.
• The Partnership Fund for NYCflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder of the NY Fashion Tech Lab. The Partnership Fund for NYC is the investment arm of the Partnership for New York City, led by Maria Gotsch as President and CEO.
• Expert Network (Industry Experts & Investors)coreOthersThe Lab's Expert Network comprises industry experts and investors who provide guidance on a broad range of issues addressed by entrepreneurs. Advisors leverage their expertise and network to provide connections, perspective, and strategy. Includes notable figures such as Kay Koplovitz (Co-Founder & Chairman, Springboard Enterprises), Maria Gotsch (President & CEO, Partnership Fund for NYC), and 100+ other industry professionals.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Mass Challenge: A large global non-equity accelerator supporting early-stage startups across industries, including consumer/retail. Comparable in non-profit, non-equity model and cohort structure, though operates at much larger scale across many verticals.
• Techstars: A large, established global accelerator with multiple retail-, fashion-, and consumer-facing programs. Comparable as a cohort-based accelerator infrastructure, though Techstars is a much broader and equity-taking incumbent rather than a niche fashion-retail specialist.

Direct peers

• Plug and Play Tech Center: One of the largest global accelerator platforms, running a dedicated Brand & Retail vertical that connects startups with corporate retail partners. Comparable to NYFTLab in operating a cohort-based accelerator backed by major retail and brand sponsors.
• Sephora Accelerate: Sephora's beauty retail accelerator for early-stage brands and tech companies. Comparable as a corporate-led retail accelerator that provides structured access to retail decision-makers and culminates in a high-visibility demo event.
• XRC Labs: An accelerator focused specifically on retail and consumer goods technology, offering mentorship and capital to early-stage startups. Closely comparable in vertical focus, target customer (B2B retail tech founders), and cohort-based delivery model.
• LVMH La Maison des Startups: LVMH's in-house luxury and fashion tech accelerator, selecting startups to pilot innovations with the group's maisons. Directly comparable as a fashion/luxury-focused corporate accelerator connecting startups to senior brand executives.

Others

• Springboard Enterprises: The 501(c)(3) parent organization and co-founder of NYFTLab, focused on scaling women-led companies through capital, networks, and programming. Listed as a peer due to overlapping mission and operational relationship, not direct programmatic competition.
• Partnership Fund for NYC: The investment arm of the Partnership for New York City and co-founder of NYFTLab. Comparable as an institutional partner providing capital, network, and credibility to NYC-based founders and innovation programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nyftlab
• Facebookfacebook.com/nyftlab
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/new-york-fashion-tech-lab

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about New York Fashion Tech Lab