ICL Planet Startup Hub will offer start-ups investment support and fast-track to the marketplace
ICL, a leading global speciality minerals and speciality chemicals company, has launched ICL Planet Startup Hub. The innovation platform is expected to help propel innovative food tech and agri-tech start-ups to the marketplace and to provide enterprises with an extensive network of support, including investment and mentorship.
ICL Planet was created as an innovation catalyst serving early-stage, pilot-ready start-ups, as well as more mature, market-ready start-ups operating within the agriculture and food tech domains. The initiative was driven to advance and nurture game-changing technology companies active in addressing critical global needs and making a positive and sustainable environmental impact.
The new start-up hub will centre activities on two core areas of competency. The first will focus on areas related to crop nutrition, such as organic fertilisers, nutrient use efficiency, biostimulants, micronutrients and nitrogen fixation. The second will focus on food tech start-ups active in the areas of alternative proteins, natural ingredients, plant-based functional ingredients, and white biotechnology, that can demonstrate a measurable positive environmental impact.
ICL has set up a dual-track programme and service envelope for all start-ups working under its umbrella. Through the programme, they can leverage ICL’s broad business and infrastructural ecosystem, including, investment, co-working space, access to laboratories and analytical equipment, and R&D support, with options for field trials and new-product pilots.
ICL has named Hadar Sutovsky VP of External Innovation and General Manager of ICL Planet. “We seek start-ups aligned with our organisation on sustainability values and product direction,” stresses Sutovsky.
“A key milestone in our business transformation is centred around the idea of responsibility for our collective future and leading innovations that can favourably impact the industries we work in,” says Anantha Desikan, EVP and Chief Research, Development and Innovation Officer, ICL.
