OAKLAND, CA: Net Impact announces the Forward Food Competition, an opportunity to pitch a sustainable food idea to a panel of industry experts. Applicants can submit their ideas through the Net Impact website until May 15, 2016. The Competition is supported by lead sponsor, Campbell Soup Company, and General Mills.
Net Impact is no stranger to business plan challenges, but Forward Food marks the nonprofit’s first competition created specifically to solve food industry issues. The Competition is a part of Net Impact’s Impact Food initiative. Introduced last year, Impact Food aims to mobilize Millennials to find innovative and sustainable solutions to the most pressing challenges facing food systems.
“Campbell is proud to partner with Net Impact and the next generation of food creators to define the future of food,” said Dave Stangis, Vice President, Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability at Campbell Soup Company. “This requires an ecosystem of innovative partners who can lead change within the food system. It’s critical to have a sustainable, purpose-driven pipeline of new ideas to feed the world.”
“Not only is the Forward Food Competition a natural extension of our strong partnership with Net Impact, but it also reflects our commitment to innovation in food,” said John Haugen, Vice President and General Manager of 301 INC, the new business development and venturing unit within General Mills. “We recognize that the vision and passion of today’s entrepreneurs can meet consumer needs in meaningful ways. That’s why we invest time and money to help them develop, grow and expand their businesses.”
Forward Food invites participants to submit an original business idea for the food and beverage space. Applicants should present ideas that meet a consumer need as well as create economic, social and environmental value. Ideas focusing on creating new and sustainable products, solving food waste or improving food systems are encouraged. An in-house team of Net Impact judges will review and provide feedback to each submission. Ten finalists will be asked to submit a one-minute pitch video to be sent to an expert judging panel including Dave Stangis from Campbell Soup Company; Kirsten Tobey from Revolution Foods; Seth Goldman of Honest Tea; and Jerry Lynch from General Mills.
Entries will be scored on four categories: innovation, market need, feasibility, and sustainability (social and environmental value). Winners will be announced on Net Impact’s website on June 20, 2016. The winning team will be awarded three passes to the 2016 Net Impact Conference, to be held November 3-5 in Philadelphia, PA. The two runners-up will be awarded one pass to attend the conference.
About Net Impact
Net Impact is a leading nonprofit that empowers a new generation to work within and beyond business for a sustainable future. With 100,000 student and professional members and nearly 300 chapters worldwide, Net Impact strives to transform lives, organizations and the world. Visit netimpact.org.
Subtitle
A new opportunity for innovators to pitch sustainable food ideas to industry experts