DSM Launches Open Innovation Nutrition Program in Japan

24 Sep 2015 --- Entrepreneurs or research organizations with an innovative health-promoting product or technology are being given a unique opportunity, to explore business collaborations and investment opportunities with key DSM executives. DSM’s Connecting Bright Innovations is the first open innovation program of its kind to take place in Japan, and is being launched in response to increased dynamism in the life sciences sector. The initiative will support the development of the health and nutrition industry in Japan, including encouraging growth and expanding its global reach.

Applicants should be enterprises, in-house ventures or research organizations with business plans related to original health-promoting functional ingredients, material-processing technologies or diagnostic techniques for preventative medicine or personalized nutrition. The first stage is in the process is a short online application form, which can be submitted in Japanese by 29 September 2015 or in English by 16 October 2015. If successful, this will then be followed by a presentation, to be conducted in Tokyo on 15 and 16 December 2015. 

The selected companies will be invited to participate in DSM’s Open Innovation Program, and the chosen business plans will be considered for commercial opportunities ranging from joint research projects and license granting, to acquisitions and venture investment through DSM Venturing. DSM Venturing has invested in more than fifty emerging innovative companies in the US, Europe and Israel since its inception in 2001.

As a global company active in life and material sciences, DSM is a leading nutritional solutions provider and uses its expertise in nutritional science to actively support research and innovation. DSM started the Connecting Bright Innovations program in 2012 and successful events have already been held in Europe, the United States and China. It held symposiums in Japan in 2013 and 2014 to raise awareness of the benefits of open innovation, ahead of the launch of Connecting Bright Innovations.