An apparel entrepreneurship programme — built inside the factory.
Gen Next Brands is a 7-day in-residence programme for the new generation of fashion founders. A practical curriculum on textile, production, costing, supply chain, and brand strategy — taught from the factory floor of India's knitwear capital.
Cohort 01: 3–9 August 2026 · Cohort capped at 15 founders
This is not another online fashion course.
Gen Next Brands is an in-residence programme. You live alongside 14 other founders in Tirupur, study with senior industry practitioners, walk live production floors, and leave with a defensible launch plan for your own apparel label.
A focused, practical alternative to a 4-year design degree that can cost upwards of ₹30 lakhs in fees and tuition — and still leave you unprepared to actually run a brand.
A look at the 7 days on campus
From factory walk-throughs and founder panels to cohort residency moments — swipe through the programme.
From fibre to founder in 8 modules
Eight applied modules across 7 days. Swipe →
A ₹7+ lakh crore market. A founder-shaped opening.
The programme isn't theory for theory's sake — it places you inside one of India's largest, fastest-growing consumer categories, where new D2C apparel brands are raising hundreds of crores and rewriting category leadership.
Category leaders raising institutional capital
D2C menswear brand that started online and scaled with real product-market fit.
Performance wear brand built by understanding fabric, function, and manufacturing.
One of India's most recognized youth apparel brands. Proved the D2C playbook.
Pop-culture apparel brand that turned fandom into a serious, profitable business.
Gen Next Brands equips you with the supplier network, cost models, and launch playbook to convert this opportunity into a defensible brand.
* Figures are based on publicly available industry reports and news as of 2025-2026. Funding and revenue numbers are for reference and context only.
A 7-day programme schedule
Arrival & Orientation
Campus check-in, welcome kit, founder introductions, programme orientation and cohort dinner.
Textile Science
Fibre, yarn, GSM, knit structures; site visits to live knitting and dyeing units.
Garment Construction
Pattern, cutting and stitching floors; finishing standards and quality control.
Print & Embellishment
Screen, DTF and digital print studios; embroidery, labels, trims and packaging.
Cost Engineering & Sourcing
BOM, MOQs, payment terms; structured manufacturer meetings and supplier shortlisting.
Brand & Go-to-Market
Positioning, identity, pricing, Shopify build and a 60-day launch roadmap workshop.
Capstone & Convocation
Founder pitch, faculty review, certification, Tirupur field study and closing dinner.
Rigorous by day. Founder-grade by night.
A fully-residential format. Lodging, meals, ground transport, factory access and all programme materials are included — designed so you focus on the work and the cohort.
Taught by founders who built the category
Sessions and case discussions led by Tirupur manufacturers, D2C operators and apparel founders who have scaled brands past ₹100 Cr. Pedagogy is applied — built around their real P&Ls, sourcing decisions and go-to-market playbooks.
* Guest faculty and founder sessions are subject to availability per cohort.
A vetted manufacturer network from day one
Most new founders stall at sourcing. Through SIHMA, you gain structured access to Tirupur's manufacturing ecosystem — and the frameworks to evaluate, shortlist and place your first production order with confidence.
Everything included in your cohort seat
- 7-day in-residence programme
- On-campus stay (twin sharing)
- Three meals per day
- Ground transport for factory visits
- Cohort orientation evening
- Convocation & closing dinner
- Live factory & studio visits
- Founder & faculty sessions
- Online masterclasses with experts
- Tirupur field study
- Manufacturer introductions
- Cost engineering workbook
- Supplier evaluation checklist
- Purchase order template
- Brand strategy worksheet
- Shopify launch checklist
- 60-day go-to-market roadmap
- Certificate of completion
- Lifetime access to alumni network
Admissions open for Cohort 01
Years of generalised theory, high tuition, and no operating playbook to launch with.
Applied curriculum, an industry network, and a defensible launch roadmap.
Creative founders can earn a fee waiver.
If you are a student or young founder with a strong creative idea, apply for the Founders' Scholarship. Shortlisted candidates pitch their concept to our mentor panel; if selected, they receive a fee waiver on the programme fee.
Scholarships are limited and awarded on merit. The pitch is reviewed for originality, brand thinking, and market clarity — not your portfolio or degree.
Who this programme is built for
Founder profile, before & after
- Unsure where to start as a founder
- Can't read fabric quality or GSM
- MOQ and costing feel opaque
- No trusted supplier relationships
- Anxious about manufacturing risk
- No defined launch plan
- Fluent in apparel production end-to-end
- Can run structured supplier conversations
- Builds bills of material and unit economics
- Owns a written 60-day launch roadmap
- Has a clear opening product line
- Has direct exposure to the industry
Apply for Cohort 01
Submit your details — admissions will continue the conversation on WhatsApp.
Admissions & programme FAQs
01Do I need a fashion or design background to apply?
No. The programme is built for new-generation entrepreneurs from any background — first-time founders, students, creators and family-business operators.
02Is residency included in the fee?
Yes. On-campus stay on a twin-sharing basis is included for all 7 days.
03Are meals included?
Yes. Three meals per day are included throughout the programme.
04Is ground transport included?
Yes. All transport for factory visits and scheduled activities is included.
05Will I gain access to manufacturers?
Yes. Through SIHMA you receive structured introductions and a framework to evaluate, shortlist and engage suppliers.
06Can I launch my brand immediately after the programme?
You will leave with the clarity, cost models, supplier exposure and a 60-day go-to-market roadmap. Actual launch timing depends on your product and capital plan.
07How many founders are in each cohort?
Each cohort is capped at 15 founders to preserve depth, access and 1:1 faculty time.
08When does the next cohort commence?
Cohort 01 commences 3–9 August 2026.
09Is there a scholarship or fee waiver?
Yes. Students and young founders with a strong creative idea can apply for the Founders' Scholarship. Shortlisted applicants pitch their concept to our mentor panel; if selected, they receive a fee waiver.
10How do I apply?
Submit the application form on this page, or reach admissions directly on WhatsApp.
Your apparel brand doesn't need more theory.
It needs a real operating playbook.
Join 14 other founders in Tirupur. Study from the factory floor. Build your supplier network. Leave with clarity, conviction and a 60-day launch roadmap.