With the aim of providing a launch pad for startups and requisite know how to set-up and operate a manufacturing facility and information on foreign markets to its members, Apparel Export promotion council (AEPC) has started an incubation and resource center at its head office in Gurgaon. The Center will serve as a startup Incubation center where entrepreneurs from Textile/ Apparel/ Fashion sector will work, interact and accelerate their companies. The center will provide an opportunity to startups to connect with investors, mentors and corporates. The resource facility will also provide an opportunity to startup entrepreneurs to undergo training and participate in workshops and competitions conducted by the industry partners of AEPC.
Commenting on this occasion, AEPC Chairman, Ashok Rajani said, “I am glad to announce the launch of the incubation and resource facility here in Gurgaon. India is world’s second largest exporter of textiles and the textile and clothing sector accounts for around 5 per cent of country’s GDP and 15 per cent of industrial output supporting Indian manufacturing companies to enter and expand in foreign markets is one of the main mission of the AEPC and to help the council in the fulfilment of its objective, the AEPC Incubation and Resource facility has been initiated. The Centre will act as an Innovation hub and information dissemination center for the innovators and industry, bridging the gap between them. The Trend forecast service which will be available at the incubation center will help in getting insights and acquisition of knowledge on fashion trends for the coming seasons. The center will act as a facilitator to Indian companies which can find complete knowledge and assistance services.”
The AEPC Incubation and Resource center is envisioned to provide information to exporters on foreign markets, to serve as a Startup Incubation center and To facilitate creation of new knowledge through acquisition, organisation and dissemination of knowledge resources, which would include a wide variety of text and reference books, magazines, journals, samples, AV resources and documents on fashion history, costumes, merchandising, management and related disciplines.
The center has been envisaged in way that it would act as a place for textile/ apparel/ fashion entrepreneurs to work, interact and accelerate their companies. Shortlisted startups will be given access to workstations, meeting rooms, event space, and a space to unwind in within the facility. Beyond this, startups will also be given the opportunity to connect with investors, mentors, corporates and be a part of training, workshops and competitions conducted by our industry partners. Shortlisted startups will be given access to workstations, meeting rooms, event space, and a space to unwind in within the facility.
Beyond this, Conferences and individual meetings may be organised with country specialists on a regular basis at the center with the aim of informing companies about their target markets in terms of product, people and preferences. AEPC for its Incubation and Resource facility has signed a MoU with 3M to establish a mutual collaboration that seeks to enhance Occupational Safety of workers and another MOU with Association of NIFT Alumni to bridge the gap and enhance the relationship between Alumni of the most prestigious Fashion institute of the country and the industry.
Incorporated in 1978, AEPC is the official body of apparel exporters in India that provides invaluable assistance to Indian exporters as well as importers / international buyers who choose India as their preferred sourcing destination for garments. In recent years AEPC has worked tirelessly in integrating the entire industry – starting at the grass root level of training the workforce and supplying a steady stream of man power to the industry; identifying the best countries to source machinery and other infrastructure and brokering several path breaking deals for its members and finally helping exporters to showcase their best at home fairs as well as be highly visible at international fairs the world over. With AEPC’s expertise and all the advantages that India has, it makes for a truly win-win situation – Indian exporters grow stronger each year in their achievements, skills and proficiency, while international buyers get superior solutions for their garment imports.
