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April 17, 2022 | Tom Ballard

VF Corporation launches “Entrepreneurship Innovation Challenge”

VF Venture Foundry, a new venture studio backed by VF Corporation (parent of brands like The North Face, Smartwool, Vans, Timberland, and Icebreaker), has launched the “Entrepreneurship Innovation Challenge” and is seeking what it calls “visionary start-up ideas focused on active lifestyles and mental health. ”

Leveraging VF Corporation’s deep industry knowledge and the team’s experience across start-ups, investing, and human centered design, the VF Venture Foundry works with entrepreneurs to create digitally-based new ventures that connect people with the outdoors, improve mental health, and promote active lifestyles. The Entrepreneurship Innovation Challenge will focus on two areas in the wellness space: (1) personal peak, which enables consumers, from elite athletes to those just beginning their active lifestyle journeys, to achieve a lifetime of personal performance and health peaks, regardless of age or ability; and (2) mental reset, focused on helping people take the time necessary to care for themselves.

Winners of the challenge become VF Venture Foundry Fellows and will collaborate with the team part-time for one to two months to further shape and improve upon their idea. At the end of the Fellowship, the top ideas and entrepreneurs will be considered for VF Venture Foundry’s full-time Entrepreneur-in-Residence program to turn these ideas into new businesses that will transform the wellness industry.

Applications for the “Entrepreneurship Innovation Challenge” are open until April 25. To apply, click here.


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