DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences is accelerating its open innovation strategy to prepare food and beverage manufacturers for fast-developing trends and disruptive change, the company says. 

In early 2021, startup accelerator Plug and Play will open an location for in Chicago, Illinois and DuPont will be a founding partner of the office with access to the emerging technologies which develop with its investment and mentorship. 

Birgitte Borch, Global Marketing Leader, DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences, said: “In recent years in particular, we have seen how disruptive change can take the established food industry by surprise. Plant-based meat and dairy offerings have proliferated fueled by new innovations driven by start-ups that are closing the gaps with traditional products. 

“Through our partnership with Plug and Play, we were able to influence the technology focus and tap into enterprising start-ups, bringing the latest innovative technology in plant-based proteins, functional ingredients and consumer testing. As a founding partner of their program in Chicago, we will be able to expand our focus into innovative technologies in biotechnology, personalized nutrition, food safety, functional ingredients, sustainability and market analytics.” 

Plug and Play was an early investor in Google, PayPal and Dropbox, and operates more than 60 accelerator programs worldwide. Its Food & Beverage program was launched in 2017. 

“We use our trend insights and market forecasts to identify the technologies that will be business critical to the food industry moving forward. Plug and Play then provides a shortlist of promising enterprises within those technology areas. The most promising candidates are invited to pitch their technologies to our business and technology teams, and discussions about potential collaboration will begin,” said Borch.