Creating sustainable, responsible and efficient value chains via development of innovative packaging solutions
A 2018 Nielsen study conducted in the US found that products boasting sustainability claims outsell those that don’t. While the CGS 2019 US Customer Sustainability Survey saw two-thirds of respondents confirm that they consider environmental impact when making purchasing decisions and are willing to pay more for eco-friendly products.
The trouble is that there aren’t enough sustainable options available to meet demand. So what’s the hold-up? To help solve these problems, Avery Dennison is launching the first accelerator programme that aims to pilot new technologies with a focus on value chain efficiency, sustainability and materials innovation.
RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS
AD Stretch
AD Stretch is a non-dilutive startup accelerator that aims to pilot new technologies with a focus on value chain efficiency, sustainability and materials innovation. This is the first accelerator program in the labels industry. the aim is to partner with startup innovators to solve key challenges and create new opportunities within sustainability, customer experience and value chains.
The program, which was rolled out on 8 February 2022 and starts in the Asia Pacific region ahead of a global launch, is aimed at engaging with startups across the world to disrupt and evolve the labels and packaging industry and strengthen its innovation capabilities.
The goal is to address some of the industry’s most urgent business challenges by collaborating with promising startups in Asia Pacific, leveraging them to Avery Dennison’s experience and size so both can grow. The core themes will focus on connecting consumers to brands through new experiences, creating sustainable, responsible and efficient value chains (SRE) and the development of materials and packaging 2.0.
It is being run in partnership with venture studio Highline Beta, and following a period of review and consultation, the applicants will be narrowed down to 10 finalists that will go on to execute a pilot project.
Specifically within Asia Pacific, areas the AD Stretch teams will focus on include solutions that help brands connect with end users more effectively, new biodegradable labeling and packaging products and materials, and solutions that help perishables survive the last leg of the supply chain in emerging economies.
Following its launch in Asia Pacific and Latin America, the program will roll out in Europe and the United States later this year. With the end goal of solving a particular problem, each group of startups will have a region-specific brief that draws on regional challenges.
What’s In It For You ?
- The opportunity to execute a pilot with a Fortune 500 multinational manufacturer over a condensed 6 month period
- Funding and support for pilot execution and a dedicated team champion
- Access to world-class experts and mentors in manufacturing, operations and materials science
- Custom programming and support through a professional venture team and partners to help support the scaling of your startup
- A cohort of like-minded industry startups to collaborate with
Who are we looking for ?
- High-potential pre-seed to series C companies
- Startups with a product in the market and sales traction. Experience with corporate clients is preferred but not required
- Applicants with a solution that fits within the challenge areas
- Founders with dedicated resources for the duration of the program to carry out a successful pilot
TIMELINE FOR CURRENT COHORT :
ABOUT Avery Dennison :
Avery Dennison is a global materials science company specializing in the design and manufacture of a wide variety of labeling and functional materials. The company’s products, which are used in nearly every major industry, include pressure-sensitive materials for labels and graphic applications; tapes and other bonding solutions for industrial, medical, and retail applications; tags, labels and embellishments for apparel; and radio frequency identification (RFID) solutions serving retail apparel and other markets.
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