With the launch of a new VC fund, The Mills Fabrica hopes to continue to identify and support the growth of techstyle startups that are revolutionising existing business models and way of living. Specifically, the fund’s current investment thesis will focus on investing in enablers of new retail model (such as digitization of retail or social ecommerce like current incubatee GOXIP), disruptors of production/ supply chains (such as smart materials/ production technologies like Bolt Threads) and creators of wearable products merging technology with design (such as next-gen voice enabled wearables like existing incubatee ORII).
The fund is structured as an evergreen VC fund with strong financial backing from the Nan Fung Group and will target early stage investments from seed to Series B (with investment size ranging from $100K USD to $2M USD). The fund is global in its mandate but has a preference for startups with a Hong Kong connection. Portfolio companies of the fund will benefit from the extensive networks of The Mills’ partners (including many of the largest industry manufacturers and brands) as well as Fabrica’s incubator experience in accelerating startup growth.
“The launch of Fabrica Fund will create an additional platform for us to support techstyle startups and future returns of the fund will also be further reinvested to build the wider Fabrica community. Ultimately, we believe that this new fund will further accelerate the growth of techstyle as a new model globally.” said Vanessa Cheung, founder of The Mills.
The new fund is in the process of completing its first investment by the end of this year and is also currently evaluating other multiple deals for 2018. Prospective techstyle startups can reach out to The Mills Fabrica for more information.
About The Mills
The Mills is a landmark revitalization project by Nan Fung Group, a celebration of shared industrial legacy with Hong Kong, and a step towards a future of applied creativity and innovation.
Announced in 2014 by Nan Fung Group on its 60th anniversary, The Mills project will transform and revitalize the company’s former textile factory into a destination for innovation, culture, and learning. The Mills is composed of 3 pillars, each contributing a unique perspective and experience.
Fabrica – A business incubator and springboard for techstyle startups and strategic partners
Shopfloor – A landmark for experiential retail, an expression of Hong Kong’s evolving character
MILL6 Foundation – A non-profit arts and cultural institution exploring textile arts and techstyle innovation
The Mills is targeted to open in 2018.
The Mills Fabrica is a business incubator and springboard for techstyle startups and strategic partners — companies at the intersection of technology and style. Fabrica is dedicated to establishing Hong Kong as the best place in the world to build a brand or technology business.
Fabrica Incubator takes onboard startups with great potential and puts them through an intensive program of self-improvement, practical business guidance, and marketing exposure. It will occupy the main floor in Fabrica’s workspace area at The Mills upon completion in 2018.
The Mills Fabrica Fund is a newly launched VC fund focused on investing in global techstyle startups. Fabrica Fund seeks to invest in leading techstyle entrepreneurs creating the techstyle model of the future.
The fund is set up as an evergreen fund backed by the Nan Fung Group and is also supported by The Mills Fabrica’s incubator and community. Investments will focus on global techstyle startups from seed to Series B (with investment amount ranging from $100K USD to $2M USD).
For media enquiries, please contact:
Alexander CHAN
The Mills Fabrica – Co-Director
Tel：3979 2870
Email：alexander.chan@themills.com.hk
Ellie LEUNG
The Mills – Marketing Director
Tel：3979 2322
Email：ellie.leung@themills.com.hk