High street retailer Topshop has announced the launch of Top Pitch, a new month-long wearable tech programme that will see tech startups and entrepreneurs presenting retail-focused devices to a board including Arcadia chief Sir Philip Green.

Top Pitch is described by the firm as a development programme focused on wearable technology that will appeal to Topshop customers and be available at an accessible price point, suggesting that the company has firm plans to introduce wearable tech into future lines.

The project is a collaboration with corporate innovation specialist L Marks, and will see the retailer discovering and co-developing prototypes that will move wearable technology further into the fashion arena while also retaining useful functionality for consumers.

Startups who take part will have access to an extensive group of experienced mentors from across the worlds of fashion and technology, including Maddy Evans, fashion director for Topshop; Rachel Arthur, journalist and founder of Fashion & Mash; and Bethany Koby, CEO and co-founder of Technology Will Save Us.

The four-week scheme will culminate in the competitors presenting to Arcadia owner Sir Philip Green, with the winning startup continuing to work with Topshop to design a product with utility, relevance and style for the Topshop customer.

“Topshop has long supported emerging talent in creative industries and this project serves to further this aim,” said Sheena Sauvaire, global marketing and communications director for Topshop. “As a brand we champion new platforms of innovation and we see wearable technology as an exciting area of further exploration.

“The merge of style and function has yet to have been seen in a true consumer-ready sense and our aim is to discover new-to-market, highly desirable product at accessible prices for our fashion-savvy customer.”