Innovative ideas exist everywhere – access to the footwear industry does not.

• The Footwear Innovation Foundation is the footwear industry’s innovation arm. The Footwear LaunchPad is the direct pipeline connecting people with ideas to opportunities in the footwear industry
• Through the LaunchPad, you can submit your idea for innovating how footwear is designed, built, experienced, and delivered. This could include anything from art and science to engineering and business, and anything in between. If it's innovative, submit it!
• This program exists to ensure that great ideas are seen, supported, and developed.

If you believe your idea can reshape how footwear is designed, built, experienced, and delivered – this program is for you. We welcome submissions from any profession, discipline, or background:

• Entrepreneurs
• Designers
• Inventors
• Students
• Artists
• Researchers
• Scientists
• Engineers
• Business Professionals
• Manufacturers
• and anyone else!

We welcome any level of idea. Meet last year’s Elite 8 and learn more about their backgrounds and ideas.

1. Be Seen by the Industry

• Visibility across the global footwear industry, including job opportunities
• Get introduced to footwear industry leaders from brands like: Crocs, RG Barry, and Steve Madden
• Potential mentorship and collaboration opportunities with LaunchPad brands and partners

2. Elevate Your Idea

Participants have the opportunity for:

• Expert-led guidance
• Structured venture development
• Exposure at LaunchPad programming and events

We turn great ideas into real products, technologies, and businesses. For a deeper dive into the program, check out our FAQs.

3. Join the Industry Innovation Pipeline

• LaunchPad is not a one-time event – it is an ongoing pipeline to the footwear industry.
• Many innovators continue working with us and our partners long after the program ends – building products, creating partnerships, launching companies, or joining footwear brands.

1. Apply to the LaunchPad

2. Elite 8 Innovators Chosen

• From the top innovators, an Elite 8 are chosen to participate in The Elevation Lab, an immersive 8-week development program where they will:
• Work alongside world-class operators, advisors, and industry experts both virtually and in-person
• Recieve mentorship from industry experts, continuing beyond the LaunchPad
• Recieve product and venture development support, advisory/strategic guidance
• If you are not chosen for the Elite 8, and your idea is recognized by the LaunchPad team as innovative and actionable, it will not be left behind – we will engage with you.

3. Elite 8 Elevation Event

• The Elite 8 will present their idea live to leading footwear companies at the LaunchPad Elevation Event – FDRA’s Innovation & Sustainability Summit in November 2026 in Portland, OR
• Be seen by brands like Adidas, Columbia Sportswear, Danner, HOKA, KEEN, Nike, Skechers, Target, Under Armour (full list of shoe companies here)
• Participate in footwear brand and factory tours while in Portland, OR

The Footwear LaunchPad is hosted by the Footwear Innovation Foundation and powered by Liminal Group, a venture studio and innovation development hub. Meet the team behind LaunchPad.

Growing list of partner companies:

• Crocs
• FDRA
• INSITE
• Jade Footwear
• Jones & Vining
• Liminal Group
• PLC Detroit
• Rack Room Shoes
• Reebok
• RG Barry
• SHOE SHOW INC
• Sneaker Impact
• Soles 4 Souls
• Steve Madden

• 2026 LaunchPad application period is now closed and the Elite 8 are in the Elevation Lab. Stay tuned for updates @footwearlaunchpad!