Tech Trend 247

LONDON —  Wearable tech is this season's hottest trend, but it often comes with a hefty price tag. Topshop, however, is looking to change that. 

The high street brand just launched an innovation programme in collaboration with tech investment company L Marks to discover and co-develop emerging tech startups and bring fashion-forward wearable tech to the high street. 

Through Top Pitch, Topshop wants to draw fashionable yet functional wearable tech further into the fashion arena with a "democratic approach to pricing". 

The programme isn't limited to smart accessories; Topshop is also hoping to move into emerging high-tech apparel. 

Successful startups will have access to mentors, who will offer support and expertise during a month-long bootcamp of intense coaching. The winning team will be given the chance to secure equity investment, and they could eventually see their product launching in Topshop stores. 

"The merge of style and function has yet to have been seen in a true consumer-ready sense and our aim is to discover new-to-market, highly desirable product at accessible prices for our fashion-savvy customer,” Sheena Sauvaire — global marketing and communications director at Topshop — said in a statement.

Applications for the programme are now open. 

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