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Open Innovation Forum Pitching Event

This is your chance to pitch ideas to major global players in the Food, Drink and FMCG sectors.

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Description

Overview 

Senior leaders from major Food, Drink and FMCG firms such as Diageo, Twinings, Mars, Suntory, Nomad Foods, Müller, Cargill, Pladis, and Kerry are holding a pitching event for innovative companies, entrepreneurs, start-ups and university spin-offs. These companies, who are members of the University of Cambridge IfM’s Open Innovation (OI) Forum, are seeking new solutions to their business challenges, so you have the chance to pitch to them at an event on the afternoon of Wednesday 27th November at an event in Central Dublin.

The Food, Drink & FMCG Innovation Pitching Event is open to all individuals, research organisations and companies of all sizes and levels of maturity. Up to 20 entrepreneurs, start-ups, researchers, innovators and technology developers will be picked to pitch their ideas to a panel of key decision-makers and ‘innovation scouts’ from important Food, Drink and FMCG firms (see full list here). 

The Pitching Event will focus on a broad range of important priority ‘Innovation Needs’ identified by the OI Forum members, as listed below:

  1. Sustainable production practices and systems     
  2. Sustainable materials that maintain/extend shelf life      
  3. Robust and standard sustainability measurements and reporting               
  4. Reduction and valorisation of food waste             
  5. Biotechnology   
  6. Novel and natural ingredients     
  7. Functional food/targeted nutrition          
  8. Customisation of products and experiences for consumers           
  9. Customer engagement and understanding           
  10. Inspection & quality       
  11. Digitalisation, automation and robotics  
  12. AI & Big data     
  13. Traceability throughout production and the supply chain              
  14. Using data and digitalisation - from farm to fork

Reasons to enter:

  • Most importantly, all finalists will have the opportunity to present their ideas and products to around 50 senior leaders and decision-makers whose main job role is to scout for and acquire innovation and technology from outside their organisations.
  • Winners and highly commended entries will receive a trophy.
  • All finalists will receive a certificate and will benefit from publicity associated with the event.
  • All proposed pitches will be circulated to OI Forum members, whether they are shortlisted as finalists or not, so this is a sure-fire way of getting your idea in front of some key potential partners.

What past pitchers say:

‘I still vividly remember the event in Belfast - the connection to interested partners/companies was really, really helpful for us!’ 2018 Finalist

 You will be asked to provide information on:

1 - Organisation or research group/department: e.g.; brief background; area of activity; URL. 

2 - Innovative solution: What is the innovative solution (and any supporting information); what is new about this approach? Is there any associated IP? MAX 200 WORDS (NOTE: DO NOT DISCLOSE ANY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OR CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION).

3 - Identified Needs addressed: Which of the Innovation Needs identified by the OI Forum members does this address; Which OI Forum member companies might be most interested in this innovation? MAX 100 WORDS

4 - Technology Readiness: e.g. Initial principle; proof of concept; lab demonstrator; field-trialled; commercial application. MAX 100 WORDS

5. How did you hear about the event?

Application deadline:

The first 10 pitching slots will be shortlisted after the early bird deadline on 4 October. The final deadline for applications is 31 October.

Previous events:

Read about the OI Forums previous pitching competitions in 2023 (Netherlands), 2021 (virtual event), 2020 (virtual event), 2019 (London) and 2018 (Belfast). 

Find out more about the Open Innovation forum.