Nestlé's Henri (formally The Spring) is an open innovation platform to help harness the ideas and passion of external partners, especially from the start-up sector.
It's a place where Nestlé can post real-world briefs for small businesses to submit proposals to win contracts based on nutrition, wellbeing and the environment.
What did I do?
I directed in-depth audience research with start-up business owners who had applied for similar tenders from corporate innovation platforms.
Beat several world-leading agencies to win the project.
Identify critical issues around the perception of corporate innovation platforms, notably concerning the timescale and validity of the contracts.
Design a complete mobile-first website addressing users' key concerns of out-of-date briefs and focusing on the relationship between Nestlé and the start-up.
What was the outcome?
The site was designed and developed on time and on budget, with Nestlé receiving over 400 applications in the first year and partnering with 12 start-up companies, awarding over $600,000.
In four years of the site going live, Nestlé partnered with 32 start-ups, investing $1.6M into small companies, with their latest brief receiving 72 submissions.
