Deadline: January 13, 2025 23:59 CET | Apply here
Eligibility: founders, innovators and researchers operating in fabrics/textile care
Are you ready to bring your innovative solutions to a global stage?
Henkel Consumer Brands invites startups, researchers, and forward-thinking creators to participate in the Henkel Open Innovation Challenge 2025.
Henkel Consumer Brands Open Innovation Challenge 2025: help redefine sustainable laundry care
Do you have the next ground-breaking idea in fiber care and textile sustainability?
Henkel Consumer Brands invites innovators, startups, and researchers to join its Open Innovation Challenge 2025: a unique opportunity to revolutionize laundry care, extend textile longevity, and contribute to a greener future.
With a €5,000 participation award and the chance to present your ideas to decision-makers at Henkel’s US Headquarters, this is your moment to collaborate with a global leader committed to redefining sustainable solutions in laundry care.
Why Henkel?
Henkel Consumer Brands is renowned for its innovative laundry, cleaning, and personal care products.
For years, Henkel has pioneered textile care solutions that go beyond just cleaning. Now, Henkel aims to take this mission further and wants to team up with promising ventures.
The company is on a look out for innovative fabric care solutions for laundry products that protect textiles and fibers during washing, extending their life cycle.
If you’re a founder passionate about sustainability and innovation, this challenge is for you.
Submit your solution to take part in the Henkel Consumer Brands Open Innovation Challenge 2025 today!
The Challenge: revolutionize fiber and textile care
Henkel is seeking sustainable and innovative fabric care solutions that:
- Protect fibers during washing and extend the lifecycle of textiles.
- Maintain the look and feel of garments (new and old) with continued use.
- Offer breakthrough results beyond traditional methods for all types of fabrics – natural, synthetic, silk, or wool.
Solutions must have:
- In-wash applications
- Compatibility with common detergent ingredients like fragrances, enzymes, surfactants, and polymers
- Cost feasibility for consumer use
- No negative impact on detergent performance
Nice-to-haves:
- Environmental credentials (OECD/EU toxicological data and biodegradability per OECD guidelines)
Excluded solutions:
- Non-biodegradable options
- Solutions incompatible with detergents or consumer applications
Previously attempted solutions:
Common solutions, on cotton fabrics are well-known such as the use of cellulase enzymes, primarily work to remove fuzz and reduce pilling and friction between fibers on cotton fabrics.
However, this process does involve some degradation of the cotton fibers, which can counteract the goal of preventing fiber breakage. Moreover, cellulase enzymes are not effective on other consumer-relevant textiles like synthetics, and fine fibers such as silk and wool.
Submit your solution to take part in the Henkel Consumer Brands Open Innovation Challenge 2025 today!
Incentives: what are the stakes?
- €5,000 Participation Award
Finalists selected for the live pitch event will receive a €5,000 award. - Pitch to Henkel Decision-Makers
Semi-finalists will present their ideas directly to Henkel’s leadership at their US Headquarters in Stamford on February 5th, 2025. - Collaboration & Funding Opportunities
Gain access to potential investment, funding, and long-term collaboration based on your solution’s readiness and impact.
How to Apply
- Visit the official challenge website: Henkel Consumer Brands Open Innovation Challenge
- Submit your solution by January 13th, 2025.
- Stay updated as your solution progresses through the evaluation stages.
The challenge timeline
- January 13th: Submission deadline
- Mid-January: Solutions evaluated
- End of January: Semi-finalists notified
- February 5th: Live pitching event at Henkel’s US Headquarters in Stamford
Eligibility criteria
The challenge is open to:
- Startups developing innovative technologies
- Researchers and scientists working on textile and fiber solutions
- Entrepreneurs with sustainable laundry care ideas
- Innovation teams from established organizations
- Solutions on the technological readiness level (TRL) ranging between 3 to 7
Ideally, candidates should be based in North America (USA or Canada), or have their businesses operating there.
Ready to submit your entry?
Henkel lives by the belief that innovation thrives through collaboration.
By joining the Henkel Consumer Brands Open Innovation Challenge 2025, you’re not just submitting an idea – you’re helping shape a sustainable future for laundry care.
This challenge is a unique and highly competitive opportunity to showcase your innovative, well-prepared, and comprehensive solutions while gaining the chance to collaborate with the globally renowned brand, Henkel. Only top-tier, fully developed proposals will be considered, so we strongly encourage you to invest the time and effort needed to create a standout solution.
Ready to make a difference? Submit your solution today and be part of Henkel’s mission to redefine the way we care for our clothes and our planet.
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