Global Change Award 2023: Miles Kubheka Joins Esteemed Panel of Global Change Awards and Engages in GCA Impact Accelerator Programme

Renowned South African entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and author, Miles Kubheka, has joined the esteemed panel of the Global Change Awards and is actively participating as a judge, speaker, mentor, and panelist at GCA Impact Accelerator programme. Miles has been a valued panelist since March this year and has played a crucial role in the selection process for this year’s winners. Launched by the H&M Foundation in 2015, this initiative is dedicated to transforming the fashion industry by identifying and nurturing innovative solutions that challenge conventional norms.

The Global Change Award invites bright minds from around the world to submit their groundbreaking ideas that can reshape the fashion industry in terms of sustainability and social impact. As a judge and panelist, Miles Kubheka brought his extensive business experience to the screening process and helped select this year’s winners. As part of the GCA Impact Accelerator programme, Miles will also help guide the winners towards successful implementation of their solutions.

“Change often requires a catalyst that spurs it on and creates the vision and foresight for people to join a movement,” said Miles Kubheka. “I am excited to be part of the Global Change Award because I see this award as that catalyst which propels those working towards solutions to solve systemic problems. Moreover, the honor of receiving the award in the same venue as the Nobel Peace Prize further adds to its significance and makes the experience truly remarkable.”

This year, ten global innovations were chosen as winners and awarded €200,000 each (approximately R4,796,236.00) to support their development and contribute to a more sustainable fashion industry. Among the distinguished winners is Kenyan-based company Rethread Africa. Their submission demonstrated how bio-based synthetics can be derived from various raw materials, such as waste from sugar and corn production. These innovative materials not only require fewer resources but also decompose naturally when discarded.

To date, the Global Change Award has granted a combined total of €7 million to over 35 innovators, who have become integral members of the GCA Alumni network. This network fosters valuable connections and collaboration opportunities supported by the H&M Foundation and its partners.

“We have an urgent opportunity to support innovations that could transform the entire fashion industry,” said Karl-Johan Persson, H&M Foundation board member. “That’s why we’re doubling the grant and the number of winners, giving these innovators a total of €2 million and access to our accelerator program. We’re also providing the industry with an opportunity to connect with these brilliant minds.”

Christiane Dolva, Strategy Lead at H&M Foundation, emphasized the importance of a holistic transformation in the fashion industry, stating, “There’s a wide range of solutions among this year’s winners that, if scaled, could have a real impact on the industry. We look forward to working with the winners during the accelerator program to help enable their innovations to accelerate and scale.”

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