UK and Netherlands-based consumer goods conglomerate Unilever is set to bring its Unilever Foundry programme to the US next month.
The initiative aims to give startups access to the conglomerate’s various brands in order to pilot new products and services, receive mentorship from marketing staff and apply for funding from its corporate venturing unit, Unilever Ventures.
Unilever Foundry is already active in the UK, Singapore and India, where a total of 75 startups have partnered subsidiaries such as deodorant maker Axe, ice cream producer Magnum, and condiments and soup brand Knorr. The selected startups will participate in the Foundry for three months.
Olivier Garel, head of Unilever Ventures, said: “Through Unilever Foundry, we hope to make more startups aware of this opportunity to receive investment from the world’s second largest advertiser.
“In combining our business and marketing knowledge with the expertise available in venture capital through Unilever Foundry, we are in a position to provide the best of both worlds.”