September 03, 2024

Nestlé Health Science and the Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute at the Friedman School at Tufts University launch 2nd annual innovation challenge

Innovate Forward: The Healthy Aging Challenge to award strategy guidance, technical support and mentorship from both Nestlé Health Science and Tufts University experts

 

Nestlé Health Science and the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, through its Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute, today announced the launch of the Innovate Forward: The Healthy Aging Challenge, an innovation challenge focusing on the development of impactful healthy aging products and systems.

The initiative calls on startups to join an open competition, elevating innovative science and helping participants drive their businesses forward.

Together, Nestlé Health Science and the Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute seek to collaborate with startups to accelerate innovation around healthy aging, emphasizing women’s health, cognitive health, gut health and metabolic health, including weight management. These key areas significantly impact quality of life, and this challenge aims to help startups bring innovative nutritional solutions to market that help keep people physically and mentally fit as they age.  

Selected winners will receive world-class support and resources from both Nestlé Health Science and Tufts University, including:

  1. Collaboration with Nestlé Health Science experts to help address key issues identified by the winner.
  2. Mentorship, scientific support and access to key resources that can help move their business forward.
  3. A one-year virtual residency with the Friedman School’s Food & Nutrition Innovation Council with unlimited access to the council’s network for valuable feedback and support.

In 2023, the inaugural version of the challenge awarded Keto Kare and Superfrau as the winners, each demonstrating outstanding potential in advancing science and driving new solutions in the food and nutrition space. You can learn more about their experiences through short testimonial videos online at tuftsnutr.io/forward.

“We’re thrilled to once again collaborate with Tufts University and emerging startups to support the acceleration of new, innovative healthy aging technology and products," said Rania Abou Samra, Global Head of Technology and Product Development for Nestlé Health Science. “The Innovate Forward: Healthy Aging Challenge is one way to accelerate innovation and help startups bring their great new ideas to market for the benefit of consumers and patients.”

“The Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute is really excited to embark on this journey with Nestlé Health Sciences for year two of the Innovate Forward Challenge,” added Katie Stebbins, Executive Director of the Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute. “Discovery of new startups alongside our faculty and the team at Nestlé is a great way to get inspired about the future of food and nutrition and the innovations driving it.”

 

Challenge Details

Applicants can enter by providing an overview of their existing venture, briefly answering key business questions, and describing how a collaboration with Nestlé Health Science and the Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute could help solve the challenges relating to their innovation. More information about the Challenge, including the Official Rules, judging criteria and how to submit an application, is available online at https://innovation.nutrition.tufts.edu/entrepreneurship/. Entries are due Saturday, October 19, 2024.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Starts 12:01:00 a.m. EST 8/25/24, Applications Period Ends 11:59:00 pm EST 10/19/24. Open to legal business entities formed under the laws of the U.S. Further eligibility criteria and other conditions apply. https://innovation.nutrition.tufts.edu/entrepreneurship/ for Official Rules. Void where prohibited.

 

About Nestlé Health Science

Nestlé Health Science, a leader in the science of nutrition, is a globally managed business unit of Nestlé. We are committed to redefining the management of health, offering an extensive portfolio of science-based consumer health, medical nutrition, pharmaceutical therapies, and vitamin and supplement brands. Our extensive research network provides the foundation for products that empower healthier lives through nutrition. Headquartered in Switzerland, we have more than 12,000 employees around the world, with products available in more than 140 countries. For more information, please visit www.nestlehealthscience.us.

 

Contact
Nestlé Health Science US Media Relations 
nhscusmedia@us.nestle.com