Häagen-Dazs seeks innovative retail technology as it launches startup challenge

Häagen-Dazs, working with EIT Food (European Institute of Innovation and Technology), has launched The Start-Up Innovation Challenge.

The aim is to explore the potential for innovation in technology and ingredients, with a particular focus on opportunities to increase the sustainability potential of the ice cream brand.

General Mills, which owns Häagen-Dazs, recently opened a Research & Development (R&D) centre in Tilloy-lès-Mofflaines (North of France), next to Häagen-Dazs’ production site.

The aforementioned challenge, meanwhile, will seek to build direct collaborations with startup companies from around Europe and partner countries, on five issues related to the different ways of developing, distributing, and consuming ice cream.

Startups can apply here.

Ten businesses will then be selected to take part in a demonstration day at the Häagen-Dazs R&D Centre on 13th June. Following that, at least two winners will be given the opportunity to partner with Häagen-Dazs and develop a proof of concept.

Participating startups will be asked to find innovative solutions to the following challenges:

1. Indulgent sugar reduced ice cream;

2. Making ice cream more resilient towards fluctuations in temperature;

3. Creating ice cream with the lowest possible carbon footprint;

4. Improving the energy efficiency of refrigerated dipping cabinets for Häagen-Dazs in stores;

5. Creating ice cream packaging with low environmental impact​.