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Launching the 2023 BASF Innovation Collaboration Day
BASF in the UK wants to hear from 100 start-ups and early-stage companies developing innovative and sustainable solutions. Interested companies were invited to apply by 13 August 2023. Applications for 2023 have now closed.
BY DARREN BUDD
Today more than ever before, we are looking for answers to problems like climate change, scarcity of resources and nature restoration. And given the transformative action that is needed to tackle these challenges, it is becoming clear that the solutions will be found through partnership. As one of the most innovative chemical companies in the world, we know that chemistry will be key to this.
This is why we are excited to be launching the BASF Innovation Collaboration Day taking place on 30 and 31 October 2023 to expand and strengthen our understanding of sustainable innovations happening across the UK!
Collaborating for Innovation
The UK is an attractive hub for innovation and R&D in sustainable solutions and BASF wants to support the scaling up of such technologies. Through our Innovation Collaboration Day we aim to foster partnerships with innovators and the local start-up community working for a sustainable future.
We are seeking 100 start-up enterprises and early-stage companies with innovative technologies that would be interested in discussing their technology with BASF and exploring opportunities for collaboration. We aim to short-list 10 companies to present their innovative solutions to a BASF expert panel on 30 and 31 October in central London.
BASF in the UK has a strong track record in supporting R&D, from working with partners on new packaging solutions and carbon utilisation to supporting research in novel manufacturing approaches with academic institutions. We hope that the Innovation Collaboration Day will provide an opportunity to further explore innovative solutions in sustainability.
Applying for the 2023 BASF Innovation Collaboration Day
Applications for the Innovation Collaboration Day will be divided into five Innovation Clusters:
1. Carbon Capture and Utilisation: We’re seeking start-ups with cutting-edge carbon capture and utilisation technologies that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, transform CO2 into valuable products, and contribute to a cleaner, and more sustainable future.
2. Green Energy Solutions: We're searching for start-ups focused on innovative renewable energy solutions, including advancements in solar, wind, and other clean energy sources. These solutions should promote energy efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and accelerate the transition to a net zero energy future.
3. Agro Innovation: We're looking for start-ups that revolutionise agriculture through precision farming, alternative proteins, biodiversity preservation, and other disruptive solutions. Innovations like these should increase crop yields, promote sustainable food production, and protect the planet's natural resources.
4. Circular Economy: We're interested in start-ups that develop innovative solutions like renewable carbon, and plastics and battery recycling, supporting waste reduction, resource recovery, and a circular economy approach. Innovations can include renewable feedstocks and raw materials. These solutions should minimise environmental impact and promote a more sustainable and eco-friendly future.
5. Wildcard Solutions: We recognise the exciting new opportunities emerging in the UK across a variety of emerging sectors, especially in the last 3 years. We’re keen to hear from start-ups and early-stage companies operating in the fields of robotics, nuclear energy, genomics, green biotechnology, CRISPR Technology, and plant-based chemistry.
Get in touch
We look forward to hearing from our amazing community of UK innovators. For more information please check out our Frequently Asked Questions section below. And for further questions or support about getting involved, please email the team on icday-uk@basf.com.
Article published 5 July 2023, article updated 24 August 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
We are looking for innovative companies or individuals with great ideas, for any of the five Innovation Clusters, where BASF can support in either a partnership or an investment.
We would like our application process to be as inclusive as possible and are open to hearing from any interested early-stage enterprise. Whether at concept or scaleup phase, we are looking to help move your innovation solution forward.
Previous events have attracted diverse candidates and applications.
For 2023, we are encouraging applications from UK-based businesses that meet any of the following criteria:
- Have been fully trading for less than 36 months or have not started trading yet
- Have an annual revenue of less than £5 million or
- Have innovations of an intermediate TRL (Technology Readiness Level)
If your business does not meet any of the above criteria, we would encourage you to get in touch with us directly to discuss whether you would still be eligible to apply.
BASF UK is organising the Innovation Collaboration Day to support sustainable innovations and wants to ensure the process is as inclusive as possible.
If you are unsure whether your business qualifies, we would encourage you to email us at icday-uk@basf.com before applying for clarification.
BASF is looking at creating relationships and supporting innovative solutions. After the pitching day, we will get in touch with the outstanding start-ups to define the best route for a potential partnership. It could be mentoring, exposure, collaboration on scaling, investment, or any other type of partnership decided between the start-up and BASF.
To apply for the ‘BASF Innovation Collaboration Day’ simply complete the online form which can be found here (https://forms.office.com/e/rMKS0KDRJQ).
Yes. To see the full form before applying, you can download it here. This is for your information only, please submit your final application with the link supplied in question 4.
Additional material to support your application could include a link to your website, links to published articles about your solution or links to any relevant presentation. There is space on the application form to add links and additional information. Large files can be shared using Sharepoint, WeTransfer, Dropbox or similar or sent to icday-uk@basf.com referencing your application. Avoid adding information that you would consider confidential.
Depending on the range of applications, we aim to shortlist 10 companies taking into consideration our Innovation Clusters, BASF`s net zero roadmap, the UK government priorities, and compatibility with BASF’s expertise. Shortlisted entries will be invited to present their innovative solutions to a BASF expert panel on 30 and 31 October in Central London.
BASF will contact you by 15 September 2023 to inform you if you have been shortlisted.
If you are shortlisted for our pitching day on the 30 and 31 October, BASF will contact you by 15 September and invite you to present to a panel of experts. We will provide full details directly to the shortlisted parties. The event will take place in Central London.
Shortlisted parties will be provided with information in advance to allow preparation for the pitching day, including who will be on the panel and how the day will go.
On the pitching day, you will present your idea to a panel of experts and discuss what your requirements are in terms of support from BASF. Each company will have between 30-45 minutes to present their idea, answer questions from the panel of experts, and receive initial feedback about the solution. Immediate proposals for partnership or investment should not be expected during the session. BASF will be in touch with applicants following the pitching day.
If you are not shortlisted for the event, we will contact you with our feedback.
We will contact you with our feedback.
If you have any questions about the event, please send an email to icday-uk@basf.com
For media enquiries or to repurpose this article, please contact: emma.gregory@basf.com