What we are doing:
Envisioning and mapping the future of the footwear
Bringing together academics, labs, industry innovators, and others to:
- increase ideas
- expand the number of people working on solutions
- align efforts
Identifying future challenges that need solutions
- supply chain strains
- scaling new materials
- construction and manufacturing issues
- technology knowledge constraints
- consumer data sets
- end of life issues
Initiating or scaling R&D to provide needed, meaningful innovations
- testing new 3D and additive manufacturing methods and construction techniques for mass use
- using AI to increase customer understanding and customize shoes for better fit, value, and exact inventory management
- new production locations with optimized supply chains
- new ways to buy and sell shoes
- a circular system to end waste
How we are doing it:
Building networks among universities, labs, consultants, experts and industry leaders
Conducting collaborative research
Funding or launching projects to test and prove ideas
Democratizing findings and making results publicly available for all
ABOUT
Why we exist:
The Footwear Innovation Foundation is a scientific 501c3 non-profit organization formed in 2023. Our mission is to be an ideas broker, innovation accelerator, and knowledge center for the future of footwear.
We theorize about the future of footwear, conducting and funding critical research that leads to better footwear products, a stronger workforce, and new circular models that will benefit consumers and companies in the coming years.
Our focus includes:
- revenue streams and business models
- products and materials
- production and supply chains
- workforce and technology
- circularity
- consumer education and performance
What we are doing:
1 | Envisioning and mapping the future of the footwear
Bringing together academics, labs, industry innovators, and others to:
- increase ideas
- expand the number of people working on solutions
- align efforts
2 | Identifying future challenges that need solutions
- supply chain strains
- scaling new materials
- construction and manufacturing issues
- technology knowledge constraints
- consumer data sets
- end of life issues
3 | Initiating or scaling R&D to provide needed, meaningful innovations
- testing new 3D and additive manufacturing methods and construction techniques for mass use
- using AI to increase customer understanding and customize shoes for better fit, value, and exact inventory management
- new production locations with optimized supply chains
- new ways to buy and sell shoes
- a circular system to end waste
