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Startups Unilever Internet of Things

Unilever unveils six briefs to start-up community as it looks for partners to help it 'prepare for tomorrow'

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By Jessica Davies, News Editor

September 23, 2014 | 5 min read

Unilever has unveiled six briefs to the start-up community as it continues its hunt for partners to help it tackle the “consumer needs of tomorrow”.

The launch of the briefs (details below) marked the latest step in Unilever’s global start-up initiative – The Foundry – created to help it scale its Internet of things ambitions.

By issuing the briefs, all geared towards sustainable and cost-effective living appliances, it will aim to find the “best and brightest” start-ups to come forward with pitches.

Start-ups can submit their entries via The Foundry website.

Marc Mathieu, senior vice president, global marketing, said: “Innovative tech companies continue to build the future. We’re seeing startups increasingly focussed on building that future to be more efficient and more sustainable. Through the Unilever Foundry we’re seeking to collaborate with these startups for their innovative solutions, particularly those rooted in digital technology."

Unilever’s vice president of sustainable business, Karen Hamilton, added that the briefs have been conceived as a way to encourage, rather than stifle creativity.

“We are excited to be launching these challenging new briefs which are deliberately broad in scope so as not to stifle creativity. We want to hear from those who believe they can partner with us at scale and by offering winners access to internal expertise as well as financial support and we hope this is a catalyst that will help us uncover ideas to help make sustainable living commonplace,” she said.

See below for the six briefs (source: Unilever)

  • Greener laundry washing

We believe that innovative digital solutions can help people get the best possible performance and efficiency from their laundry machine wash, whilst decreasing Green House Gas emissions.

We are looking to partner with companies who can provide a digital solution that uniquely optimizes each wash. This may include sensors and/or automatic dosage tools that customises the wash based on the load and water quality.

  • Hand wash

The simple procedure of hand washing can eliminate 5,000 diarrhoea-related deaths every day. We believe that technology can be an enabler to remind people to regularly wash their hands at public facilities in densely populated urban environments.

We are looking to partner with companies who can provide simple yet game-changing digital technology solutions in this space. The ideal solution will be suitable for public restrooms in low-income areas and be low in cost.

  • Home Cleaning: from burden to opportunity

We’re always looking reduce the burden of home cleaning for busy mums whilst creating a financial opportunity for others who would like to earn more money.

We are looking to partner with innovative technology companies who specialize in digitally based peer-to-peer service offerings – particularly in feature phone based markets such as Brazil. Ideally, you will have delivered successful market tests and be ready to scale.

  • Every Drop Counts

Sunlight is the market leader in hand dishwashing detergent. Particularly in developing and emerging markets, women spend millions of hours every year washing their dishes and collecting water to wash their dishes.

Sunlight is committed to unlock women’s time through initiatives that save time, water and effort in dishwashing. We are looking to partner with innovative technology companies who can help.

  • Let Kids be Kids

Paddle Pop brand purpose is to ‘Let Kids be Kids’. We want to go beyond providing nutritionally responsible products to play a greater role in encouraging children to be more physically active in a fun and adventurous way.

We are looking to partner with companies who can provide the technology & innovative digital solutions that engage and inspire kids to be more active and to have imaginative play thanks to our brand.

  • Knorr Storytelling - From Farm to Fork

Knorr has been working with farmers to source 100% of agricultural materials sustainably because we are passionate about flavour and believe it makes a big difference to the taste of our products, the future of our planet, and the wellbeing of thousands of farmers.

We are looking for partners that can help us to deliver immersive storytelling around our sustainable farming practices that inspire people, bridging the gap between farm and fork. We are looking for solutions that can more effectively engage shoppers and cooks by integrating these stories into their everyday planning, cooking and shopping behaviours.

Startups Unilever Internet of Things

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