FOOTWEAR INNOVATION FOUNDATION PRESENTS:
Key Details
Exclusive & Direct Access to Shoe Companies (Priceless)
We pay travel and expenses so the top 8 present their concept in front of 150+ shoe leaders at
FDRA's 2026 Innovation and Sustainability Summit
Footwear Factory tour, company HQ tours (i.e. NIKE, KEEN, etc.)
+
Real Development Support For Your Idea (worth over $250,000) or a footwear job.
The top eight advance into a unique development program (fully paid for) with business training, 1:1 mentorship from industry leaders, and hands-on support to turn ideas into pitch-ready concepts.
Idea doesn't have to be fully developed.
*doesn't have to be fully baked. 2. can be from any industry. ... Apply with your idea - wheter it is written on a napkin, partially or fully developed, wheter you are a student, in another industry (architecture, auto, chemistry, etc.) or a long-time shoe dog.
Can be from any industry.
FREE to enter. Deadline: May 31, 2026.
Full details below
We are the footwear industry.
Launchpad is our vehicle to open the door for new talent and ideas.
We are granting a select group of people unprecedented access and support.
Apply for the only program of its kind—The Footwear Launchpad.
Depending on your desire, results for top talent and ideas include:
Direct Placement: High-level jobs at the world’s leading footwear brands.
Product Incubation: Turning your concept into a physical, wearable product.
Business Launch: Scaling an idea into a standalone, market-ready company.
Launchpad is FREE. Finalists Get Free Support to Build Their Ideas.
The application is free.
We cover all costs related to our 'boot camp' where experts help you refine and build your concept.
We cover travel and expenes to meet with, and present before, 100 shoe companies in Portland, OR.
Lead Catalyst Sponsors
Innovation Allies
Launchpad Details
The Footwear LaunchPad is hosted by the Footwear Innovation Foundation and powered by Liminal Group, combining industry leadership with expert facilitation to accelerate innovation in footwear.
Click here to see the experts and industry leaders helping power this competition.
This is not just another competition. We built this to methodically bring your bold ideas to life.
If you enter our Footwear LaunchPad with a great idea, we provide exclusive direct industry access (shoe leader mentorship/employment opportunities), tremendous support and resources totaling over $250,000 in value (business modeling, prototyping, concept development, IP support, mentorship), to help you build your idea into a commercial reality (sell it, license it, build a new business).
In 2025, we recieved more than 200 applications from around the world.
Many ideas submitted were just basic concepts and white papers, including several of our Elite 8! We are looking for ideas that creativly solve real problems or unlock new opportunites. It doesn't have to be polished. In 2025, we had several great ideas we helped turn into polished gems and are now working with them to bring them to reality.
Footwear leaders are using this program to find new talent and ideas.
We are not academics or a group running a competition. We are the footwear industry. Footwear leaders guide and help us run our programs, including this one, and are activly enagaged as part of their feeder system. Anyone who applies that we think has a great way of looking at and solving problems - even if you don't make the top 8 - you will be seen by footwear executives.
Successful concepts require the industry knowledge we provide.
Too many innovators have ideas they cannot commercalize becuase they don't truly understand the industry, or lack the direct feedback from companies needed for success. Our program solves this access issue. If you've had an idea for year, or even built a prototptype, please enter. We want to see it and help.
This is your chance to be seen and make your idea a reality. Don't miss your shot!
Who should enter?
- Everyone. Regardless of your background or experience.
- First-year students to seasoned pros.
We welcome diverse talents, including those specializing in:
⚡Automotive ⚡Furniture ⚡Aeronautics ⚡Engineering ⚡Robotics
⚡Fashion ⚡Software/Coding ⚡Industrial Design ⚡Retail Experience
No idea is too small – Submit it. Free.
Whether your idea is still a napkin sketch or a fully-tested prototype, our simple application process levels the playing field so that all ideas get equal consideration.
We’re especially interested in ideas focused on:
💡 Innovative materials, designs, or systems
💡 Disruptive manufacturing technology
💡 Smarter financial and supply chain models
💡 AI, software, or technology to improve operations
💡 Reimagined retail concepts for evolving markets
Transform your concept into reality with unparalleled support:
✅ Elite Incubation: 8 submissions will earn admission to an exclusive 8-week incubation boot camp, powered by Liminal Group. Elite 8 Innovators are mentored and coached by a diverse range of experts.
✅ Concept to Reality: Our industry engagemetn from companies to labs and factories allows us the unique ability to prototype, test and build ideas into a successful reality.
