RETAIL

Presented by Áwet New York

Expanding access
to physical retail
across America.

A national initiative powered by corporate partners who believe in the next generation of American businesses — giving emerging brands funded access to real storefronts, real customers, and real growth.

Become a Partner Apply as a Brand

200+

Brands supported through UPS pilot

250

Goal for 2026 — America's 250th 🇺🇸

2,000

Goal by 2030

Corporate Partners

Invest in the future of American retail

Join a growing network of companies putting resources behind emerging brands — and making a tangible impact on entrepreneurship across the country.

Learn about partnering

Emerging Brands

Get your brand in front of real customers

No upfront costs. No commissions. Just a fully funded storefront residency with everything you need to sell, connect, and grow.

Apply for a residency

About

Built on the belief that access changes everything

Physical retail changes the trajectory of a business — the visibility, the trust, the direct relationship with customers. But for most emerging brands, the cost and complexity of getting there is prohibitive.

The Storefront Project removes those barriers. By building a network of corporate partners who fund and power retail activations, we give emerging businesses something they couldn't access on their own: a real storefront, a real platform, and a real shot.

No revenue splits. No upfront costs. Just access — made possible by partners who believe in what these brands are building.

"Access to storefront environments can fundamentally change the trajectory of a business."

Rooted in Áwet New York's own experience scaling through physical retail, The Storefront Project is the next evolution of a model proven through our LIVEWEAR platform and a national partnership with UPS.

250 Our goal for 2026

Our 2026 mission

250 brands
in honor of America's
250th birthday.

We've already supported over 200 emerging businesses through our pilot program with UPS — proving that this model works. Now we're scaling it with a new mission: support 250 brands in 2026 alone, in honor of the United States Semiquincentennial.

On July 4, 2026, America turns 250. We can think of no better way to mark that moment than by opening the door for 250 American businesses — giving them access to physical retail, real customers, and the chance to grow. This is where corporate partners make it possible.

Applications reviewed on a rolling basis

Corporate Partners

The most powerful thing
a company can do is
open the door.

The Storefront Project is made possible by corporate partners who understand that investing in emerging brands isn't charity — it's smart, it's strategic, and it's how you build the next generation of American business. With July 4, 2026 as our deadline for 250 brands, the window to be part of this milestone is now.

Fund real access

Your investment directly covers the cost of storefront space, logistics, and activation support for emerging brands — turning your resources into their opportunity.

Amplify your impact

Each activation is a co-branded story. Your company is recognized as the force that made it possible — in press, in marketing, and in the brand community.

Be part of history

250 brands by July 4, 2026 — America's 250th birthday. Partners who join now will be part of a defining moment for American entrepreneurship.

Our goal:
250 brands in 2026.

In honor of America's 250th birthday, we're committed to supporting 250 emerging businesses this year. If your company wants to be part of this mission, let's talk.

Get in touch →

UPSFounding Corporate Partner

Proven at scale

A model validated through corporate partnership

Through our pilot program with UPS, we've already supported over 200 emerging businesses through physical retail activations — proving the model works. Now we're setting a new goal: 250 brands in 2026, in honor of America's 250th birthday. Here's where we stand.

200+

Brands already supported through our pilot program with UPS

250

Brands we're committed to supporting in 2026 — in honor of America's 250th birthday

2,000

Businesses we aim to reach by 2030 through our growing partner network

For emerging brands

From application to activation

A fully supported model — powered by our corporate partners — so brands can focus entirely on their customers.

01 — Submit

Express your interest

Submit your brand information for consideration in upcoming activations. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

02 — Select

Get invited in

Selected brands are onboarded into curated retail residencies with logistics coordination and activation planning fully managed — at no cost to you.

03 — Activate

Sell. Keep everything.

Premium storefront access, marketing amplification, direct customer engagement — and 100% of your revenue. The platform is ours. The upside is yours.

What brands receive

The full platform, fully funded

Made possible by our corporate partners, every selected brand receives the same comprehensive support — no negotiation, no tiers.

🏪

Premium Retail Space

Curated pop-up residencies in high-traffic storefront locations in key markets — fully funded by our corporate partners.

📣

Marketing & Amplification

Campaign storytelling, social media amplification, and press outreach to build visibility before, during, and after your activation.

⚙️

Operational Infrastructure

Logistics coordination, activation planning, and on-the-ground support — so you arrive ready to sell, not to set up.

💰

100% Revenue Retention

No commissions, no splits. Every dollar you earn is yours. Our partners fund the platform so you keep the upside.

Áwet Woldegebriel and Elizabeth Clark Zoíá

The team

Built by people who
believe access changes everything.

Áwet Woldegebriel

Founder, Áwet New York

"We would not have survived without that opportunity. It allowed us to build relationships with our clients in a physical space and grow the business in a way that simply wouldn't have been possible otherwise. That experience shaped everything we're building now."

Elizabeth Clark Zoíá

Head of Partnerships, Áwet New York

"There's a clear disconnect between available retail space and the brands that need it. This platform brings together partners across logistics, real estate, finance, and technology to create a new pathway into physical retail."

Founding brand partner

Cesta Collective — artisan handbags from Rwanda, finished in Italy

Woven by talented female artisans and finished by skilled leatherworkers, Cesta's basket bags are uniquely tactile — and best experienced in person.

Courtney Fasciano and Erin Ryder, Co-founders of Cesta Collective

"Having a storefront of our own simply isn't feasible at this stage. The chance to meet customers in a physical retail environment is both rare and invaluable — in person, the human element is immediately felt."

Courtney FascianoCo-founder, Cesta Collective

"The Storefront Project is Áwet to the fullest: building something with purpose, then finding thoughtful ways to share both that purpose and the access it creates."

Erin RyderCo-founder, Cesta Collective

Expanding access
to physical retail
across America.