At Nouryon, we are looking for ways to create a more sustainable and liveable world through chemistry. We launched Imagine Chemistry to invite startups and academics to work with us as equal partners to bring their innovative ideas to market and find solutions to some of the most urgent challenges facing the chemicals industry today.
How does the Challenge work?
For two months, startups and researchers in chemistry are invited to submit ideas related to specific challenge areas via our open collaboration platform. On the platform, our experts and participants work together to improve upon the ideas and explore potential fits with Nouryon. From the submissions, a selection of startups is invited to a final event where ideas are further developed in person. Ultimately winners are chosen to continue to work with Nouryon to move their ideas towards commercialization.
You can find more details on the 2018 Challenge here.
Who can participate?
We are focused on startups with a proof of concept who can actively work on making their idea or solution a success. If you are not a startup, but for example a researcher who has already developed and tested a concept, you can join as well.
What’s in it for startups?
Simple: the opportunity to work with us as equal partners to bring your ideas to market. With over 80 sites worldwide and a strong heritage in providing essential chemicals, Nouryon can provide you with the means to give your ideas global impact. We can provide research support, the opportunity to test production on a larger scale, guidance from experienced researchers and industry experts, access to customers, and other support.
Our ultimate goal is to innovate together. This collaboration could take on many forms: a joint development agreement, having AkzoNobel as a launching customer, organizing partnerships across the value chain, or investment in your startup. We will work with each winning team to identify the best path for their project.
We respect ownership of intellectual property rights. You can read about our approach to intellectual property.
About Nouryon
As a major producer of specialty chemicals, we supply essential ingredients to industries and consumers worldwide. You’ll find our products in the food you eat, the buildings you live and work in, the vehicles and roads you use to get around, and everyday items like paper products and your children’s toys.
We have a history of partnering with startups to develop innovative and commercially interesting ideas and help bring them to market. In fact, these successful partnerships are what inspired us to start this challenge. To find out more about what collaborating with Nouryon might look like for your startup, contact us for more information, or go ahead and join the Challenge.
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