Technology
HENRi@Nestlé open innovation platform celebrates two years connecting innovators and entrepreneurs on a global scale
When Nestlé launched its KitKat sustainability project challenge last year, it asked two big questions: How can we bring home the benefit and value of our sustainability practices to our farmers, communities and consumers? And 'How can we build on progress so far to allow the KitKat brand to make an even bigger impact?
Amplifying the value of KitKat’s sustainability practices to farmers, communities and consumers, the challenge was launched via HENRi@Nestlé, Nestlé’s new open innovation platform, connecting innovators and entrepreneurs on a global scale in order to tackle meaningful and challenging projects across sustainability, nutrition, health and wellness.
Current challenges
’How do you measure wellness?’
HENRi@Nestlé is looking for partners to define wellness and measure how our mood, state of mind and enjoyment of life can be affected by the food we eat and how we experience it.
’Engaging patients for better skin health’
HENRi@Nestlé is looking for partners to develop an innovative way to promote adherence to acne treatments, encouraging people to stick to their course of treatment and see real outcomes.
In the first two years of the tech initiative, 12 challenges have been launched and HENRi@Nestlé has received over 400 submissions.
Gerardo Mazzeo, global innovation director at Nestlé, said: “Through HENRi, we’re partnering with the very best and brightest start-ups and entrepreneurs so we can create innovative, high potential solutions across our businesses. This allows us to deliver against our purpose, which is about positively impacting individuals, society and the planet.
“The variety of challenges we’re tackling continues. We’ve been working to improve the environmental impact of infant food pouches, to spread nutritional knowledge in Africa, and to inspire, engage and educate the next generation of farmers.
Good-Loop, an ethical video advertising platform, was selected as the winner of the KitKat sustainability project challenge with its tech-for-good solution, which uses the power of advertising to make charitable donations to the Nestlé Cocoa Plan.
Amy Williams, CEO and founder of Good-Loop, said: “Nestlé is encouraging collaborative solutions to real problems - just look at our partnership. Linking KitKat and the Good-Loop platform means we’re able to donate 50% of ad spend to the Nestlé Cocoa Plan and support suppliers, communities and consumers around the world.”
Two Years, 12 Projects, 400+ start-up applications: Nestlé’s ambitious new approach to open innovation continues to flourish, says Mazzeo.
“The last two years have been about finding start-ups to help our purpose, which is all about enhancing quality of life and contributing to a healthier future. I’m sure another busy year lies ahead, one full of opportunities for us to solve business challenges and create meaningful change in collaboration with start-ups, innovators and entrepreneurs.”
