Discovering creative solutions to improve the digital consumer experience is the focus of AkzoNobel’s 2022 Paint the Future regional startup challenge, which is all set to be launched in India.

Startups are being invited to tap into the company’s broad knowledge and extensive expertise to help enrich their own business and build the best value proposition for their digital solutions.

Launched in 2019 as our global startup challenge, Paint the Future has quickly become the largest collaborative innovation ecosystem in the paints and coatings industry. Since its introduced, it has been further expanded, with two regional programs taking place in Brazil and China, while two supplier challenges have also been staged. We’re now organizing our second global startup bootcamp, which is scheduled for this year.

“We’re excited to share our pioneering spirit and centuries of paints and coatings expertise, work with startups and help to accelerate their innovative solutions,” explains AkzoNobel CEO, Thierry Vanlancker. “India’s startup ecosystem is the third largest in the world, a real powerhouse. So, we’re looking forward to actively collaborating on disruptive digital solutions and exploring how we can paint the future together.”

Adds Klaas Kruithof, AkzoNobel’s Chief Technology Officer: “Paint the Future is both a challenge and our promise to the brightest Indian startups that we’ll partner with them in a win-win approach to accelerate digital innovations into the market to delight our consumers.”

The Paint the Future India startup challenge officially opens for submissions on March 1, 2022. Selected startups will then be invited to a collaboration event in late 2022, when the winners will be announced.

Commenting on the challenge, Rajiv Rajgopal, Managing Director of Akzo Nobel India, says: “India’s growing startup ecosystem is fast becoming a global hub of emerging technologies. The Paint the Future India startup challenge aims to discover digital solutions that can boost the magic of Dulux paints and transform the way consumers experience our products and services.”

The successful participants will be offered exciting partnership opportunities as they join AkzoNobel’s accelerator program to support the further development and deployment of their solutions.

More details on: letspaintthefuture.com/india-challenge