MONTREAL – Agropur Cooperative, in partnership with the Quartier de l'innovation de Montréal, AgBioCentre and NineSigma, today announced the launch of Inno Challenge, an initiative to create new dairy products through open innovation. This is a Canadian first in agrifood innovation. Under the theme "Together, Let's Reinvent Dairy!" a first call is going out across Canada and internationally to creative thinkers who will have until December 7, 2016, to submit their proposals for innovative dairy products.
"In launching this call, Agropur is reaffirming its leadership as an innovator in its sector and opening the doors to co-development. We want to tap into the collective intelligence out there to help us stay at the cutting edge of dairy production and processing. This challenge will give creative types around the world an opportunity to make a meaningful, concrete contribution to the development of new products and innovative solutions," said Robert Coallier, Agropur's CEO.
In addition to up to $25,000 cash grant, the selected participants will get access to Agropur's R&D capabilities to help them bring their innovative concept to the market-ready stage. "This project also draws on Montreal's creative ecosystem: the Quartier de l'innovation is a partner in the Challenge and will host the participants," added Mr. Coallier.
"Innovation does not only occur in the realm of technology, as evidenced by this initiative, which will shed light on the many evolving paradigm shifts in a sector such as agrifood. The development of new dairy products together with Agropur, here in the heart of the Quartier de l'innovation, will undoubtedly establish Montreal as a key player in this constantly changing industry," said Damien Silès, executive director of the Quartier de l'innovation.
Details about the Agropur Inno Challenge
Agropur's "Together, Let's Reinvent Dairy" Challenge seeks to identify impactful new innovations that expand, sustain and reinvigorate the use of dairy products and elevate dairy beyond a household staple. The selected participants will be announced in January 2017. Up to four projects will each receive a $25,000 grant and access to Agropur's innovation support resources. Agropur will work with them to co-develop the selected concepts and bring them to the prototype stage. The results of their efforts will be presented at Agropur's Inno Expo in April 2017! If you share our values and ambitions and want to effect change in the dairy industry, visit www.agropur.com for details.
About Agropur
Agropur Cooperative is a North American dairy industry leader founded in 1938. With sales of $5.9 billion in 2015, the Cooperative is a source of pride to its 3,367 members and 8,000 employees. Agropur processes more than 5.7 billion litres of milk per year at its 39 plants across North America and boasts an impressive roster of brands and products including Natrel, Québon, OKA, Farmers, Agropur Signature, Agropur Grand Cheddar, Island Farms, BiPro, and the Ultima Foods joint venture's iögo and Olympic brands.
About Quartier de l'Innovation (QI)
The Quartier de l'innovation (QI) is an innovation ecosystem in the heart of Montreal that aims to boost the city's potential for creativity. QI was launched in May 2013 by École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS) and McGill University, which were subsequently joined by Concordia University and Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM). Some 20 corporate partners have since come on board. QI draws on the complementary resources of its numerous partners in research, training, innovation and entrepreneurship to create concrete projects that are changing the face of the city. The site is bounded by René Lévesque Boulevard on the north, the Lachine Canal on the south, McGill Street on the east and Atwater Avenue on the west. QI's activities focus on four areas: training and research, social and cultural innovation, industrial innovation and urban innovation. quartierinnovationmontreal.com
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Source: Agropur