November 3rd, 2021 (Renens, Switzerland) – MassChallenge Switzerland, part of MassChallenge‘s global network of innovators, today announced a partnership with leading merchant and processor of agricultural goods, Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC).
Founded in 1851, LDC’s diversified business lines span the entire value chain, from origination to distribution, helping to feed and clothe over 500 million people every year. The partnership with MassChallenge is in line with LDC’s vision to work toward a safe and sustainable future, contributing to the global effort to provide sustenance for a growing population.
Through this partnership, MassChallenge Switzerland will facilitate meaningful connections between LDC and selected startups, with the goal of finding breakthrough solutions to critical challenges for food and agricultural supply chains, adding real value for customers and markets while acting for the environment. Driven by its goals to shape seamless, traceable and responsible supply chains from farmers to end-consumers, LDC will work directly with startups from MassChallenge Switzerland’s cohorts and global alumni network, to co-develop or apply innovative solutions and technologies to their own products and processes.
“LDC looks forward to collaborating with MassChallenge startups and corporate partners, as a unique opportunity to solve critical efficiency, digitization, decarbonization and sustainability challenges impacting our business and supply chains,” said Thomas Couteaudier, LDC’s Chief Strategy Officer. “For our part, we will contribute LDC’s perspective as a key agricultural value chain participant, complementing MassChallenge’s diverse and innovative group of food- and ingredient-focused partners.”
Matt Lashmar, Managing Director MassChallenge Switzerland, added: “we are delighted to welcome LDC to MassChallenge Switzerland. The move is especially exciting since LDC brings massive experience in the Food and Ingredients Value Chain, which is something that will complement many of our existing partners, and be of great benefit to our startups. Additionally LDC is focused on helping bring sustenance to current and future generations in a fair and sustainable way, so together we share a vision of helping feed the world sustainably.”
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 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, DSM, 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 readymag.com/masschallenge/mcch-impact-2020/
Media contact: switzterland@masschallenge.org
About Louis Dreyfus Company
As a leading merchant and processor of agricultural goods, Louis Dreyfus Company leverages its global reach and extensive asset network to serve customers and consumers around the world, delivering the right products to the right location, at the right time – safely, reliably and responsibly. Its activities span the entire value chain across a broad range of business lines, including Grains & Oilseeds, Coffee, Cotton, Juice, Rice, Sugar, Freight, Carbon Solutions and Global Markets. LDC is active in over 100 countries and employs approximately 17,000 people globally, originating, processing and transporting approximately 80 million tons of products. For more information, visit www.ldc.com and follow the company on Twitter, LinkedIn and WeChat (ID: we_are_ldc).
Media contact: media@ldc.com