As an EIC-funded (European Innovation Council) SME, you probably already had the chance to pitch your solution in multiple matchmaking initiatives to attract the attention of investors or potential customers. But did you ever try to build win-win synergies and co-create solutions with Business Partners? The EIC Greenhouse Gas Programme aims to leverage unique collaborative experiences between EIC companies and large European organisations and offer EIC companies the chance to co-create products and services. In this light, the European Innovation Council and Unilever invite you to apply to our joint EIC GHG Co-creation initiative. 

Unilever’s purpose is to make sustainable living commonplace. Established over 100 years ago, Unilever is one of the world’s largest consumer goods companies. Unilever is known for its great brands, a global footprint and its belief in doing business the right way. The co-creation journey with Unilever kicks off with an event on 10 November 2021. 

The challenges

The Unilever’s challenges: are mainly focused on less energy-intensive ice-creams, new carbon-neutral packing and low carbon food. 

Challenge: Low carbon ingredients and fertilizers  

Unilever’s brands help consumers to choose food that’s nutritious, sustainable and fair. Unilever’s future foods commitment in particular highlight their desire to be a force for good in foods, with a long-term commitment to net-zero emission from all products by 2039. To achieve these commitments, requires a full rethink of how to grow and process foods.  

Unilever is looking for low carbon ingredients and fertilizers for their main crops, in particular fats and oils, cereals including rice, sugar and dairy ingredients. This may include:  

• Sub-challenge 3.1:  low-carbon options for these ingredients - through better agricultural practices  
• Sub-challenge 3.2:  low-carbon options for these ingredients – through new routes of production such as biotech  
• Sub-challenge 3.3:  low-carbon options for these ingredients – through any other feasible and cost-effective routes of production   
• Sub-challenge 3.4:  low-carbon alternative for these ingredients.   

Your co-creation journey 

The EIC GHG Co-creation with Unilever will be an entirely virtual service for six months, following the co-creation journey below: 

Step 1: Applications and Info webinar 

To apply to the EIC GHG Co-creation with Unilever, you will have to fill the application form available here by 1st of October 2021. 

During the application process, an Info webinar (15 September 2021, 15:00 CET) will be organised to provide more information about the co-creation initiative, the application requirements, and the challenges. If you would like to attend this info-webinar, register here. 

*Please note that your registration to the info webinar does not imply that you will be selected for the co-creation initiative with Unilever. 

Step 2: Selection process 

As soon as we close the submission process, your application will be shared with Unilever, and they will proceed with the evaluation and selection of the final list of participants. You will be contacted once the selection process is concluded. However, any feedback or recommendation to the companies that were not selected is not foreseen.

 Step 3: Co-creation kick-off event – 10 November | Save the date! 

After the selection process, a two-day ideation event with Unilever will take place on 10 November 2021. This will help you better understand the challenges and start co-developing your solutions with the business partners. During this meeting, you will also have the chance to define a clear roadmap for your next steps. 

Step 4: Iteration & Development 

A period of one month to implement the roadmap that you define with Unilever and validate it with the company regularly ensuring you are steering in the right direction. 

Demo Day 

The Demo Day will showcase the final solutions and promote them to a bigger audience. Date TBD. 

Need help?   

For additional information, please check the Open Call available in the EIC Community here or refer to  our helpdesk (please choose 'EIC GHG: Co-creation with Unilever’ as the subject).