Online luxury retailer Yoox Net-A-Porter Group has launched a competition to find the next female fashion entrepreneurs set to take the fashion industry by storm.

The Incredible Girls of the Future competition, which runs until July 1, invites young women aged 16–25 from across the world to submit their ideas for an innovative new fashion app. All entries must harness the power of technology to challenge conventions, drive sustainable change, and ultimately impact the industry and the world for the better, for generations to come.

Research commissioned by Yoox last year highlighted that 50 per cent of young women think tech careers are “unexciting”, and few associated the fields of fashion and tech together. The competition aims to inspire more girls to recognise the creative possibilities technology can bring, framed through the lens of fashion.

The judging panel will be looking for originality, entrepreneurship, thorough planning, as well as problem solving skills and a polished presentation. The winner will receive a place on a mentorship programme with Yoox executives, designed to equip the young innovator with practical advice for achieving their vision.

“There aren’t enough women in tech. We strongly believe that fashion can provide an effective lens to tackle this issue and change young people’s perceptions; helping to introduce more female talent to digital careers and fulfil their creative potential,” said Yoox chairman and CEO Federico Marchetti.

“That’s why Yoox Net-A-Porter Group is inviting the future generation of female entrepreneurs to pitch their best fast-tech innovations. They are the ones who will drive a more inclusive and sustainable luxury industry.”