Report: Lululemon Founder Starting Venture to Support Technical Apparel Start-Ups

April 19, 2026

Chip Wilson, Lululemon Athletica’s founder, former CEO and outspoken critic of the company, announced that he is creating a new venture investing in and supporting “small athletic-focused brands” as part of his effort to “lead innovation in the technical apparel space,” according to a report from Bloomberg.

Wilson’s venture will reportedly include both new and existing small brands, and he has reportedly hired an unidentified operating partner for the new business, another source told Bloomberg.

“Chip Wilson has been an investor in technical apparel for years,” a spokesman for Wilson said in an e-mailed response to Bloomberg. “Chip has recently created a new structure to bring additional focus to its investments in early-stage, founder-led companies. Chip remains passionate about supporting founders and leading innovation in the technical apparel space.” SGB MEDIA