An accelerator for brands that want to develop sustainable apparel with clarity, quality and a trusted manufacturing partner.
A structured pathway
from concept to production.
The OCEANR Sustainable Brand Accelerator is a structured, stage-gated pathway for early-stage apparel brands that want to develop products properly, validate feasibility early and move into sampling and production with clarity.
Apply for the Accelerator
This programme is designed for:
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Newly formed or early-stage apparel brands
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Founders with clear commercial intent
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Brands seeking ethical, European manufacturing
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Teams looking for a long-term partnership
How it works
Qualification
Before any consultation or design time is committed, every enquiry goes through a production-led qualification process:
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Online qualification questionnaire
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Internal review by production and technical team
Stage 1: Feasibility and Brand Foundations
Assess whether your product is commercially, technically and sustainably viable within OCEANR’s production model.
Stage 2: Product Concept and Design Development
Convert a viable concept into defined, costed, production-ready products.
Factory visit
Before sampling or production, OCEANR strongly encourages brands to visit our production facility in Riga. This helps align expectations on quality, sustainability, timelines and scalability before further investment.
Stage 3: Sample Production and Market Readiness
Produce physical samples and confirm full production readiness.
Stage 4: Launch Partnership
Support your first commercial production run and help transition into a longer-term relationship.
Apply for the Accelerator
Stage 1
Feasibility and Brand Foundations
What’s included:
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90-minute consultation
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Review of product concept and brand intent
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Feasibility assessment against production capabilities
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Fabric strategy prioritising OCEANR fabric range and European suppliers
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MOQ and product discipline guidance
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Early cost and margin expectations
Deliverables:
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Feasibility report
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Fabric and sourcing recommendations
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High-level cost and MOQ guidance
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Clear go or no-go decision for Stage 2
Stage 2
Product Concept and Design Development
Base scope:
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Up to 3 products
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One core fabric per product
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Standard sizing approach
Product Development Pack includes:
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Product sketches with construction notes
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Fabric descriptions: composition, weight, dyeing or sublimation method
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Size strategy
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Preliminary BOM pricing for discussion
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Optional AI-generated product visuals for concept use
Deliverables:
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Complete Product Development Pack
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Sample strategy and cost estimate
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Approval to proceed to sampling
Factory visit
OCEANR strongly encourages brands to visit our production facility in Riga.
You’ll be able to:
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Meet the design, sampling and production teams
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See construction methods and quality standards
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Understand sustainability practices and working conditions first-hand
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Discuss timelines, costs and production constraints in detail
Factory visits are available by appointment and must be booked in advance. This allows us to plan effectively around production schedules, factory operations and team availability.
We offer two visit formats, depending on your stage in the accelerator:
Standard factory visit
A 1–2 hour guided tour of our facility, including an overview of key production processes and quality standards.
Extended factory experience
A full-day or multi-day visit designed for founders in the product concept development or sampling stages. This format combines an in-depth factory walkthrough with hands-on collaboration on product development, materials and next steps toward sampling.
Stage 3
Sample Production and Market Readiness
Sample Pack A - Simple Products
T-shirts, Polos and Basic Activewear
Includes: pattern development, 1 fit sample per style & size, 1 revision round + second sample round or pre-production sample
Sample Pack B - Moderately Complex Products
Technical Garments
Includes tech pack creation, pattern layouts and five-size grading (S-XXL)
Sample Pack C - Highly Technical Products
Jackets and Highly Technical Outerwear
Includes: pattern development, 1–2 fit samples per style & size, limited revisions
Apply for the Accelerator
Product development that’s ready for the real world
We help brands move beyond ideas and into production with apparel designed to perform, scale and last.
– Responsible material choices with clear sustainability intent
– Design and construction guided by manufacturing expertise
– Consistent quality you can stand behind as you grow
– Early-stage friendly MOQs and clear production pathways
– Fit and finish developed for comfort, wearability and durability
Frequenty asked questions
Do I have to complete all stages?
No, the accelerator is designed as a stage-gated pathway, meaning you decide whether to proceed at the end of each stage. Each phase delivers clear outputs so you can move forward with confidence or pause if your priorities change. There is no obligation to continue beyond any stage.
What are the minimum order quantities?
Minimum order quantities depend on the product category, fabric and construction. For most early-stage brands, MOQs typically fall at 100, 200 or 300 units per style.
During the feasibility stage, we’ll confirm realistic MOQs based on your specific products and help you structure your collection accordingly.
How long does it typically take?
Timelines vary depending on product complexity and decision-making speed, but most founders should allow a minimum of three to six months from feasibility to sampling readiness. We’ll outline expected timelines early in the process so you can plan launches, funding and marketing activity with clarity.
Can I use my own trims?
Yes. You’re welcome to supply your own trims, including items such as zipper pullers, metallic tags, silicone badges, woven labels or hang tags.
This is a very normal practice within our factory and often simplifies the development process. Many brands choose to design and provide their own trims to maintain full control over branding and finish.
The attachment of custom trims is treated as a standard production step and is included in the Bill of Materials as labour.
Can I use my own fabrics?
For early-stage founders, we generally recommend working with our existing fabric library or approved European suppliers. This helps streamline development, reduce risk and ensure accurate costing and lead times.
Ready to build something that will stand up in production?
Start with the qualification form. If you’re a fit, we’ll move quickly into Stage 1.
Apply for the Accelerator
Why Choose OCEANR?
Certified B Corporation
Our commitment to ethical business has been independently verified.
Low MOQs
We are happy to make sustainable apparel accessible to various brand sizes.
Fully-Customised Apparel
Work directly with our Design Team to bring your brand identity to life with our in-house tailoring options.
European Production
Most of our apparel is produced at the OCEANR production facility in Latvia.
Take-Back Programme
We offer solutions for repairing and recycling old OCEANR clothing.
Environmental Impact
Each OCEANR purchase contributes towards the work of our partner organisations, whether it be planting mangrove trees in Kenya or removing plastic waste.
