The annual research list recognizes the break-out technology start-ups driving innovation in the fashion & retail industry.

NEW YORK, NY, May 23, 2019. The Lead has announced The Leading 100 of 2019, the highly anticipated annual research list recognizing the break-out technology start-ups driving innovation in the fashion & retail industry. Companies from across the industry value chain — including marketing, e-commerce, in-store technology, payments, supply chain, manufacturing, design & sustainability — were nominated & considered.

"MakerSights is thrilled to be named in The Leading 100 for our advancements in decision support for the fashion & retail industry. MakerSights is helping our customers act confidently in high-stakes decisions by putting the data they need at their fingertips," said Adam New-Waterson, VP of Marketing at MakerSights. "We are honored to be next to many other exemplary leaders who are modernizing the go-to-market practices at today's top brands and retailers."

The Leading 100 companies are representative of game-changing approaches and technologies that are likely to disrupt existing markets and entrenched players. They represent the next generation fashion, retail and commerce technology ecosystem, while at the same time, creating high-growth businesses that offer outsized opportunity upside for investors. It is The Lead’s belief that this group collectively signals the future of the industry.

“When looking at these companies, we paid special attention to their business models, market opportunity and funding. It’s a crowded field. That said, it was important for us to select companies that are on a strong path of commercialization and are approaching exit velocity, so that we can be confident that they will not only be here in a couple of years, but have the longevity to have an outsized impact on the industry,” said Awais Khan, Head of Research at The Lead.

All companies were vetted and selected using a rigorous methodology. After reviewing the nominations, The Lead’s Head of Research, Awais Khan, led in-depth analysis into each company. The process included a detailed look at each company’s business with a focus on innovation, market opportunity, media buzz, team, commercialization, competition & investor value creation.

‘While these companies are in growth mode today, the technologies they are incubating will be mainstream in just a few year’s time. By understanding which companies are breaking-out from the pack, we hope the fashion and retail community can develop a stronger sense of where the industry is really going next,” Noah Gellman, Co-Founder & CEO of The Lead, said of the list.

The Leading 100 will be honored at The Lead Innovation Summit on July 9th & 10th, where the fashion and retail innovation community will converge to explore what comes next for the industry. The annual event will bring together the top fashion brand and retail thought leaders, start-up CEOs, investors, dealmakers and stakeholders that comprise The Lead’s network, spanning the fashion-retail-commerce innovation ecosystem. The Lead’s website is www.the-lead.co.