Bunker Clothing will receive a series of one-to-one mentoring sessions with industry expert and Trinity Business School lecturer, Graham Merriman

Emerging fash-tech business, Bunker Clothing, was today announced as the winner of Digital Business Ireland’s, Digital Mentoring Initiative. Under the Initiative, the mentee, Kevin Stowe, will receive a series of one-to-one mentoring session with industry expert and Trinity Business School lecturer, Graham Merriman.

The 2023 Digital Mentoring Initiative was DBI’s most successful yet, with applications from early-stage digital start-ups, across a range of sectors, who seek to take their eCommerce enterprise to the next level. The Initiative now in its third year, aims to enable and empower directors of new online businesses to scale-up their operations, while reaching new markets, with the assistance of leading mentors in the sector.

The winner of the 2023 series, Bunker Clothing, is a digital first fashion business, offering in-demand designer and streetwear apparel. Kevin Stowe founded the company when he was 19 years of age, and has scaled it to a point where it is generating over €1.3 million euro in revenue since its inception.
Kevin’s bold entrepreneurship and vision for Bunker Clothing aligns with that of Digital Business Ireland, as we continue to empower businesses throughout Ireland to deliver impact through leveraging the opportunities presented by online enterprise. Since its establishment in 2019, Digital Business Ireland has worked to provide crucial learning and networking opportunities for start-ups working across the digital, ecommerce and technology sectors. The representative body also works in tandem with its 8,500 strong membership to offer support and advocacy through various initiatives, including the National Digital Awards, Digital Meet-Ups and their annual Digital Summit.

Chairperson of Digital Business Ireland, Ashley McDonell said: “Bunker Clothing is an exciting digital-first business, which has witnessed tremendous growth over the past couple of years.
Digital Business Ireland is delighted to facilitate the development and growth of Bunker Clothing through our Digital Mentoring Initiative which will no doubt will provide Kevin with the insights and advice that will help bring Bunker Clothing to the next level.”

Graham Merriman, Lecturer at Trinity Business School said: “Kevin Stowe’s story of founding a business at an early age and building it to where it is now is an inspirational one, which highlights his resolute entrepreneurial spirit.

Kevin’s vision for the company is strategic and focused, so I am excited to commence the mentoring programme with him, in order to delve deeper into his ambitions for the company, and to discover the steps needed to realise his goals, while capitalising on the potential of Bunker Clothing.”

Kevin Stowe, Director of Bunker Clothing said: “I am thrilled and honoured to be chosen as the winner of the Digital Business Ireland Digital Mentoring Initiative. My relatively short period as an entrepreneur has been my biggest obstacle in scaling Bunker Clothing, so I am looking forward to getting an external, experienced set of eyes on my operations, while leveraging these new insights.

I started Bunker Clothing at 20 years of age, with €300 hoping to earn enough to get me through college without having to undertake part-time work. Since then, the business has generated sales beyond our wildest dreams, and I hope to grow these even further through the manifestation of my longer-term plans for the business.

I would like to sincerely thank Digital Business Ireland for selecting me as the winner of this Initiative. The recognition and support of this leading representative body is testament to the impact the association is having on businesses in the digital sector.”