WomenINvestEU Matchmaking on Circular Fashion and Design Solutions

WomenINvestEU is inviting women-led early-stage startups with innovative circular fashion and design solutions to apply for the fourth WomenINvestEU online matchmaking event. This session, happening on 25 February 2026, from 10:30 to 12:15 CET, is a chance to pitch your solution to the experienced, gender-conscious investors in our network. 

Through this initiative, WomenINvestEU aims to channel investment into companies revolutionising the fashion and design industry with innovative, sustainable solutions grounded in circular economy principles. The aim is to promote more responsible consumption by highlighting solutions that minimise waste, leverage sustainable materials and foster circular practices.

We are looking for a wide range of circular solutions for fashion and design across the following categories:

• Sustainable materials & fabrics, e.g., upcycled and recycled materials, bio-based textiles, textile recycling
• Digital fashion technologies, e.g., virtual fitting rooms, 3D design and prototyping, digital solutions for traceability
• Circular design, e.g., design for disassembly, modular design, zero-waste techniques, circular manufacturing processes
• Circular business models, e.g., repair and take-back programs, resale and rental platforms

Selected participants should be: 

• women-led or have a woman co-founder;
• based in Europe;
• early-stage companies developing innovative, impactful solutions with a competitive advantage in the market;
• at pre-seed and seed investment stages.

The evaluation process and preparation for the event will follow the estimated timeline outlined below: 

• 09 January 2026 – Deadline for applications;
• 12 to 19 January 2026 – Evaluation of the applications;
• 20 January 2026 – Communication of the call’s results to the selected startups;
• 2 to 20 February 2026 – Pitch training sessions with selected startups;
• 25 February 2026 – Event Day. 

Why join? 

This is a chance to level up your pitching skills and forge important connections with gender-conscious investors, creating opportunities for future deals. 

Before the event, selected entrepreneurs will be invited to dedicated training sessions to help them deliver the best pitch on the event day.  In order to prepare the selected participants for the session, the WomenINvestEU team will also provide coaching on critical topics, such as innovation disruption, team, product/service, go2market strategy, impact and financial plan.  

In collaboration with the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), all eligible applicants may also have the opportunity to benefit from support from EEN regional advisers who can provide free specialized training, advisory and support services that may benefit your startup.

During the matchmaking event, entrepreneurs will be able to introduce their startup to a curated list of members of the European Network of Gender-Conscious Investors with a track record in supporting women-led startups building circular solutions. 

Finally, entrepreneurs will get the chance to be invited to one-to-one meetings with interested investors after the event to explore potential follow-ups and deals. 

Register here