As part of its Global Youth Initiative Nestlé launched the Nestle Youth Entrepreneurship Platform (YEP), a new digital platform for young innovators and entrepreneurs who want to learn new knowledge and skills in areas ranging from food science and technology to the development of products and services, including regenerative agriculture and sustainable packaging.
YEP will be bringing all of Nestlé’s innovation initiatives and programs in one place. The platform will be giving ‘young innovators’ access to The Nestlé Entrepreneurship Academy on top of dedicated programs to grow knowledge, learn new skills and gain experience.
“At Nestlé we work with startups, entrepreneurs, innovators and researchers to drive innovation, bring good ideas to market fast and provide nutritious, sustainable and affordable products for a growing world population,” explained Stefan Palzer, CTO at Nestlé.
“Our new digital platform supports young people to bring great ideas to life across the food value chain, shaping the future of food!” he added.
Key programs available on the YEP include:
- Nestlé R&D Accelerator where entrepreneurs can apply for challenges at one of the company’s 12 Accelerators across the world, to focus on developing disruptive food and beverage innovations. Participants will work together with Nestlé’s R&D experts from around the world such as food technologists, nutritionists, regulatory and food safety experts, as well as designers and packaging experts.
- Purina Unleashed, the first and only pet care program designed to identify and support innovative start-ups.
- Other Nestlé market initiatives, for example Ignite Ideas which supports start-ups and individuals; Reto Culinario an entrepreneurial contest and TV show that showcases youth culinary innovation.
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), two out of every five people are either unemployed or have a job that keeps them in poverty. Because of this, Nestlé launched Nestlé Needs Youth in 2013. The initiative helps young people gain the skills they need to thrive in tomorrow’s workplaces. It has benefited more than 4 million young people internationally.
“Young entrepreneurs need guidance, support, and above all, opportunities and platforms where their voices can be heard and their ideas realised,” said Laurent Freixe, Nestlé’s CEO for Latin America and founder of the Nestlé Needs YOUth initiative. This includes building their knowledge and skills, testing their ideas in real-life situations, getting feedback from their audiences and receiving support to take their concept to the next level” said
