Connecting with passionate tech innovators is the goal of a new Paint the Future partnership between AkzoNobel and the “heart of tech”, TNW (The Next Web).

Joining forces on the Paint the Future 2021 global startup challenge, the two companies will share the power of open innovation across their networks. The aim is to reach more startups before the July 20 submission deadline.

“AkzoNobel’s innovation ecosystem combines the best of the startup and corporate worlds: agility and innovative technology with experience and investment potential,” says Ally van der Boon, Paint the Future Program Manager at AkzoNobel. “We’re excited to collaborate with cutting-edge startups in tech to bring surfaces to life – TNW is the perfect partner to help us do that.”

TNW’s mission is to connect people who love tech. With extensive experience in media and events, the global digital brand will extend AkzoNobel’s invitation to join the largest collaborative innovation ecosystem in the paints and coatings industry.

“Because AkzoNobel commits to working on sustainable business opportunities with challenge winners, being able to attract high quality submissions is critical,” says Wopke Dost, Head of Delivery, TNW Programs. “That’s why TNW’s in-house team of startup scouts and research analysts are getting the word out to early-stage tech companies who meet the challenge criteria: tailor-made Paint the Future collaborations will help them grow.”

Paint the Future, launched by AkzoNobel in 2019, runs a variety of programs to accelerate innovation. The dynamic ecosystem includes startups, academia, research institutes and suppliers, and has resulted in 18 successful solutions to date.

Are you ready to bring surfaces to life with AkzoNobel? Join the global startup challenge at letspaintthefuture.com

 

About Paint the Future

Launched in 2019, Paint the Future is AkzoNobel’s global collaborative innovation ecosystem. It’s a bold initiative to accelerate, test, launch and scale ideas and solutions for the paints and coatings industry. Paint the Future runs a variety of programs to accelerate innovation. Initially open to startups, it was quickly expanded to embrace academia, research institutes and two large groups of suppliers. As the ecosystem continues to grow and build on the success of each program, it’s become the largest in the industry.

 

About AkzoNobel

We’ve been pioneering a world of possibilities to bring surfaces to life for well over 200 years. As experts in making coatings, there’s a good chance you’re only ever a few meters away from one of our products. Our world class portfolio of brands – including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the globe. We’re active in more than 150 countries and have set our sights on becoming the global industry leader. It’s what you’d expect from the most sustainable paints company, which has been inventing the future for more than two centuries