Innovate Forward: The Longevity Challenge, an accelerator program supporting healthy aging
Nestlé Health Science and The Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute at the Friedman School at Tufts University launch Innovate Forward: The Longevity Challenge, an accelerator program supporting healthy aging
Winners will receive mentorship, strategy and technical support from both Nestlé Health Science and Tufts University experts and leaders in their fields.
BRIDGEWATER, NJ (June 2023) – 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 NESTLÉ HEALTH SCIENCE INNOVATE FORWARD: THE LONGEVITY CHALLENGE, a joint initiative created to accelerate innovation in the area of longevity and healthy aging.
The initiative focuses on cognitive, gut, and metabolic health, which evolve with aging and have a significant impact on overall quality of life. With the World Health Organization predicting that 1 in 6 people will be 60 years or older by 2030, and that the world’s population of people 60 and older will double by 20501, issues that accompany aging must be addressed.
The Innovate Forward: Longevity Challenge is intended to help develop new, impactful solutions to benefit health and wellness for an aging population. To that end, Nestlé Health Science and the Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute, which is hosted by the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, are engaging and supporting the startup and entrepreneur community to help drive new solutions for improved longevity. The initiative calls on startups to join an open competition, focusing on advancing science and helping participants drive their businesses forward.
Award Recipients will receive:
- A virtual residency focused on the Applicant’s innovation with experts from the Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute, a science-driven collaboration of food, agricultural, and wellness innovators and entrepreneurs focused on a healthier, equitable, and sustainable food system, and Nestlé Health Science for up to six (6) months, including mentorship, strategy and technical guidance, culminating with the opportunity for the Award Recipient to deliver a final presentation to highlight progress and showcase key learnings; and
- A one-year virtual residency to the Friedman School’s Food & Nutrition Innovation Council with access to its network.
“With a rapidly aging global population, it is a critical time to advance scientific knowledge and innovation around healthy aging,” said Katie Stebbins, executive director of the Food and Nutrition Innovation Institute at the Friedman School. “Through this competition, we are excited to support a pipeline of new ventures that could have a positive impact on global health.”
“INNOVATE FORWARD: THE LONGEVITY CHALLENGE was established to support rapid exploration of new, innovative ideas on healthy aging and improved longevity, and bring them to market faster than the traditional innovation process," said Rania Abou Samra, Global Head of Technology and Product Development for Nestlé Health Science. “Collaborating with startups is one way that we can drive faster adoption of great new ideas and increase our impact for the benefit of consumers and patients.”
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 Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute could help solve the challenges relating to their innovation. All Applicants and Award Recipients will be judged on the Challenge criteria, which can be found online at https://tuftsnutr.io/forward.
More information about the Challenge, including the Official Rules and how to submit an application, is available online at https://tuftsnutr.io/forward. Entries are due by Friday, September 1, 2023.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Starts 12:01:00 a.m. EST 6/28/23, Applications Period Ends 11:59:00 pm EST 9/1/23. Open to legal business entities formed under the laws of the U.S. Further eligibility criteria and other conditions apply. Visit https://innovation.nutrition.tufts.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Innovate-Forward-Rules-6.26.23.pdf for Official Rules. Void where prohibited.
About Nestlé Health Science (NHSc)
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. To learn more visit: www.nestlehealthscience.com
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