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Fashion & Textile Funding Opportunities for Female Entrepreneurs in Europe especially Germany

Source: ConnectNigeria

A significant number of women are driving change in the fashion industry, with many having powerful ideas for sustainable products, fair production processes, digital innovations, or a fashion industry that treats people and the planet with greater responsibility. The aspiration to become self-employed is frequently present. However, for many, this remains a theoretical concept.

In the fashion and textile sector, entrepreneurship is particularly challenging for women due to financial and organisational barriers, care responsibilities, limited access to capital, persistent stereotypes, a lack of visible role models, and restricted professional networks. These challenges stem from long-standing structural inequalities and should not be seen as individual shortcomings. Yet it is precisely this sector that holds immense potential for change.

The fashion and textile industry is a key space for developing urgently needed solutions in sustainability, innovation, and digital transformation. Encouragingly, a growing number of funding and support programmes in Germany and across Europe are specifically designed to address these challenges and support female entrepreneurs.

The following section provides an overview of relevant funding opportunities, ranging from national scholarships and regional programmes in Germany to EU initiatives and fashion-specific funds.

1. Scholarships for Financial Security

Early-stage scholarships support founders in the idea and pre-start-up phase, when revenues are typically not yet generated. These non-dilutive programmes provide financial security, mentoring, and time to develop business ideas, prototypes, and market strategies, usually over 6–12 months.

    2. Financing & Loans (Germany)

    This category includes repayable instruments such as loans or microloans that support founders during or shortly after company formation. These funds are typically used for investments, equipment, or working capital and often come with favourable conditions such as low interest rates or grace periods.

    European level:

    Comparable financing instruments also exist across Europe through national development banks and EU-backed programmes such as the European Investment Bank or InvestEU.

    3. EU Programs for Innovation & Digital Transformation

    EU-level programmes support innovative and scalable start-ups, often combining funding, mentoring, and international visibility.

    4. Impact, Circular & Corporate Funds (Europe-wide + global)

    • 4.1 eBay Circular Fashion Fund
      Supports start-ups developing circular fashion solutions such as repair, resale, recycling, or upcycling. The programme is open to registered businesses in Europe and selected non-EU countries that have been operating for 6 months to 6 years and demonstrate clear circular impact.
      🔗 https://pages.ebay.com/circularfashionfund/

    5. Investors & Equity-Based Funding (Europe-wide)

    Business angel networks connect founders with early-stage private investors who provide equity financing and mentoring. Requirements vary by network but usually include a strong pitch, growth potential, and often a registered company.

    • 5.1 Business Angel Networks – Business Angels Germany
      Access to early-stage investors and entrepreneurial networks.
      🔗 https://www.business-angels.de/
    • 5.2 Business Angel Networks – European Business Angel Network
      Many networks operate across Europe and are linked via pan-European associations such as EBAN.
      🔗 https://www.eban.org

    6. Community-Based Financing (Europe-wide)

    Crowdfunding Platforms (examples)

    Crowdfunding platforms enable founders to raise capital through pre-sales, rewards, or supporter contributions, depending on platform-specific requirements.

    • 6.1 Startnext – Primarily for projects based in German-speaking Europe (Germany, Austria, Switzerland); projects must meet the platform’s category and campaign requirements. 🔗 https://www.startnext.com/
    • 6.2 Seedmatch – Companies usually need to be registered in Germany (or meet local legal requirements) and pass the platform’s due diligence. 🔗 https://www.seedmatch.de/
    • 6.3 Kickstarter – Available to creators from many countries, including most in the EU; project creators must be residents of supported countries and meet Kickstarter’s guidelines. 🔗 https://www.kickstarter.com/

    What is most important to keep in mind is that there is no single funding programme that fits all situations. In many cases, different initiatives can be combined, for example, a scholarship to secure your livelihood in the early stage, followed by a development loan or an accelerator programme. The key is to realistically assess your current stage of entrepreneurship and select the support formats that best align with your needs.

     
    Follow us on Instagram: @fairfashioneu 
    Connect on LinkedIn: FAIR FASHION Project 
    By Ramona Möllers (NUAS) 
    Edited by Alexandro Dreyer Duarte (NUAS)

    Sources:

    Gründerplattform. (n.d.). Female entrepreneurship – Challenges for women entrepreneurs. Retrieved January 19, 2026, from https://gruenderplattform.de/entrepreneur/female-entrepreneur

    de:hub. (n.d.). Female entrepreneurship: Challenges and opportunities for women founders. Retrieved January 19, 2026, from https://www.de-hub.de/blog/post/female-entrepreneurship-herausforderungen-und-chancen-fuer-gruenderinnen/

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