Nestlé launches Youth Entrepreneurship Platform

Nestlé has announced the Youth Entrepreneurship Platform (YEP), a project for young innovators and entrepreneurs looking to increase their skillset, test ideas and grow their businesses within areas ranging from food science and technology to product and service development, including regenerative agriculture and sustainable packaging.

The digital platform is free and gives participants access to The Nestlé Entrepreneurship Academy, as well as to dedicated learning programs, and customised content and resources from specific geographic regions.

Stefan Palzer, Nestlé CTO, said: “At Nestlé we work with startups, entrepreneurs, innovators and researchers to drive innovation, bring good ideas to market fast and provide nutritious, sustainable and affordable products for a growing world population.

“Our new digital platform supports young people to bring great ideas to life across the food value chain, shaping the future of food!”

Multiple programs are available for those availing themselves of YEP. They include the Nestlé R+D Accelerator, Purina Unleashed and regional market initiatives like Ignite Ideas, Reto Culinario and CEO X Youth Connect.

YEP relates to the Nestlé Needs YOUth program, which was launched in 2013 as a way for the company to reduce youth job instability and unemployment. The company’s Global Youth Initiative also seeks to provide skills for young people and has helped more than four million people across its central pillars of employability, agripreneurship and entrepreneurship.

Laurent Freixe, Nestlé’s CEO for Latin America and founder of the Nestlé Needs YOUth initiative, said: “Young entrepreneurs need guidance, support and above all, opportunities and platforms where their voices can be heard and their ideas realised.

“This includes building their knowledge and skills, testing their ideas in real-life situations, getting feedback from their audiences and receiving support to take their concept to the next level.

“The Nestlé Youth Entrepreneurship Platform will help equip them with the skills, experience and mindset they need to kick-start their idea and business.”

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