MANILA – Strengthening its ties with local startups, Unilever Philippines has launched the Unilever Foundry, a platform that will provide a single entry-point for innovative entrepreneurs who want to partner with the company in its ongoing commitment to sustainability.
The multinational company launched its sustainable living plan three years ago, and expanded it further in mid-2014.
Unilever Foundry was first established in London in July 2014. The Philippine platform is the first in Asia.
The program, which enables the company’s global brands to experiment with and pilot new technologies, will provide startups and entrepreneurs the opportunity to develop and work on global projects, access mentoring from marketing professionals, and tap into a new source of funding.
“Unilever is a forward-thinking company. We continously find new ways to connect with our consumers in this ever-evolving global market. Clearly technology has transformed the way we live, and so we are always looking for smart innovations that can help us grow our business, while creating positive socio-economic impact,” Marc Mathieu, global senior vice president for marketing said at the platform launch in Manila on November 19.
“The focus of this collaborative innovation sits alongside Unilever’s ongoing commitment to sustainability. We want to inspire and lead transformation for a more sustainable future,” Mathieu explained.
Through the program, Unilever will work with six start-ups every quarter, three quarters in a year. The start-ups will be able to pitch their ideas to Unilever, who will provide a three-month marketing mentorship to help the start-ups craft their brand vision, marketing strategy, and product roadmap.
Unilever brands and functional teams will post briefs where they are looking for innovative technology solutions. Companies will then be invited to pitch their solutions, and if selected, embark on a paid pilot with the company.
The pitch-to-pilot process puts experimentation at the heart of the platform.
“A growing number of innovative visionaries are emerging in the country with the potential for global scale. This project, therefore, pins hope for the Filipino entrepreneurial community as it allows them to expose promising technology solutions in business,” said Dennis Perez, Unilever Philippines media head.
Six start-ups already participated in the pitch: parent-focused scheduling and messaging app MyChild, online energy management platform WattSmart, location-based and real-time promo service MobKard, local social media analysis service Senti, sustainable light and electricity system SALt, and community data network exchange Codnex.
According to Perez, the platform is in line with the company’s thrust towards sustainability.
“This will enable our marketers to reach out to more people, including untapped communities, with brands that are more human and more purposeful. This is all part of our business plan, which aims to create a brighter and sustainable future for all,” Perez said.
In photo: A representative from one of the start-ups making a pitch at the Unilever Foundry launch
