July 15, 2021 (Renens, Switzerland) – MassChallenge Switzerland, part of MassChallenge‘s global network of innovators, today announced a partnership with one of the world’s most modern and innovative manufacturers of herb drops, Ricola. The partnership aims to support Ricola’s strategic commitment to innovation and sustainability by facilitating introductions and collaborations with emerging, high-potential, relevant startups.
Ricola transforms Swiss alpine herbs into excellent products that contribute to the well-being of consumers. Tradition, innovation and progress go hand in hand in every herb drop. Ricola has the highest quality standards and combines these with sustainable thinking and action.The swiss
Ricola will thus work directly with startups from MassChallenge Switzerland’s 2021 cohort and its global alumni network to co-develop or apply their innovative solutions and technologies to their own products and processes.
“We believe in the value of collaboration with a diverse ecosystem and we are excited to get an outside view, with fresh eyes on some of the challenges and opportunities we are seeing. Simultaneously “The Sustainable Food Track” at MasscChallenge is clearly a conversation we wish to contribute to. With 90 years of experience in the field, we believe that we can help accelerate the growth of sustainable solutions. Something the world needs. All hands on deck,” said Rasmus Nutzhorn Viemose, Global Vice President Sustainability and Future Innovation at Ricola Group.
By partnering with MassChallenge Switzerland, Ricola employees will also have the opportunity to participate directly in the accelerator as mentors, judges, or speakers – exposing them to the startup environment which could advance internal development while fostering an entrepreneurial spirit within the company.
Matt Lashmar, Managing Director MassChallenge Switzerland, added: “It’s with great pleasure that we welcome Ricola as a partner to the MassChallenge Switzerland family. Ricola’s values of taking responsibility and being sustainable are just 2 of the obvious fits with our community. I look forward to helping them connect and collaborate with our startups so that together we can add value back into society.”
Since 2016, MassChallenge Switzerland has been a leader in helping startups across Europe grow their businesses, annually accelerating 90+ early stage startups while taking no equity or fees. MassChallenge Switzerland provides startups with access to top corporations, world-class mentoring from industry experts, curated resources, and up to CHF 1M in equity-free prizes.
In addition to the early-stage startup accelerator, which accepts startups from any industry, MassChallenge Switzerland has expanded its offerings to accelerate innovation in the food sector with an industry-specific track for early-stage startups as part of the 2021 accelerator. This also includes a challenge program matching later-stage startups with corporate partners in the food industry.
About Ricola
Ricola is one of the world’s most modern and innovative manufacturers of herb drops. Ricola herb specialities are exported to more than 45 countries and are famous for their fine Swiss quality. Founded in 1930, with headquarters in Laufen near Basel and subsidiaries in Europe, Asia and the USA, Ricola now produces around 60 different herb drops and tea specialities. In Switzerland, this family-owned company is a pioneer in herb cultivation and places great value on using carefully selected locations and controlled, environmentally friendly cultivation methods. Ricola has concluded fixed long-term purchase agreements with almost 100 farmers in Swiss mountain regions. Ricola is committed to sustainable corporate management, economically, socially and ecologically and is a responsible employer. The traditional values of a family-run enterprise coupled with Swiss quality and a passion for innovation are crucial factors in the success of the Ricola global brand.
About MassChallenge
MassChallenge is the global network for innovators. Headquartered in the United States with seven locations worldwide, MassChallenge equips bold entrepreneurs to disrupt the status quo and to create meaningful change. Since launching in 2009, more than 2,928 MassChallenge alumni have raised more than $8.6B in funding, generated more than $3.6 B in revenue, and created more than 186,000 total jobs.
Learn more about MassChallenge at masschallenge.org
MassChallenge Switzerland Partners
Barry Callebaut, Bühler, Nestlé, Givaudan, Swiss Economic Forum, Inartis Foundation, Südzucker, Philip Morris International, Canton of VAUD (Economic Promotion), Canton of VAUD (Board of Higher Education), Innovaud, General Mills, KPMG, Kellerhals – Carrard, Reuteler & Cie, Federation International de I’Automobile, Ricola and EIT Food
Learn more about the IMPACT we’re creating at: https://readymag.com/MassChallenge/MCCH-Impact-2020/