China Startup Challenge

We are now closed for submissions.

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Why should you join us?

  • Access to +50 AkzoNobel experts on our platform
  • Unique opportunity to take the international stage to scale your solution
  • After May 15, 2021, we select the most promising startups and invite them to join our accelerator event
Join us
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ABOUT THE CHALLENGE

On Dec 10 2020 we announced the China Startup Challenge @Wise event in Beijing. Check out our announcement movie on the left. From March 1 – May 15, 2021 we invite startups to submit their innovative solutions to our collaboration platform. For ten weeks, they can interact with AkzoNobel experts to explore innovation in the paints and coatings industry together.

Challenges

Towards zero waste

Smart supply chain

Digital customer experience

Timeline

Submission & Interaction
March 1 - May 15, 2021
Sign up to our platform and get access to AkzoNobel experts
  • Sign up and create your profile on our collaborative platform
  • Submit your solution to the challenge that fits with your solution
  • Interact with experts and enrich your business
Enrichment of ideas
May 15 - May 30, 2021
Enrich your submission in these last two weeks
  • At this stage we are closed for new submissions
  • You can still adapt your submission and talk to our experts
  • AkzoNobel experts start evaluating the proposals
Finalists selection
June - July 2021
It's time to select the submissions with the greatest potential for collaboration with AkzoNobel
  • Solutions are evaluated by AkzoNobel experts and receive online feedback
  • Selected participants are invited to the acceleration event in August
Collaboration event
August 2021
AkzoNobel experts and startups collaborate during the two-day accelerator event
  • Build the value proposition and your business model with our experts
  • Prepare your final collaboration proposition
  • The jury chooses solutions that fit best with the challenges
Acceleration
September 2021
Define the collaboration agreements
  • Startups that have been selected after the event will receive a letter of intent
  • Define the collaboration agreement that fits best for the development of your solution
  • Scale your solution and implement with AkzoNobel

WHY AKZONOBEL

Leading the transformation of the paints and coatings industry.
Join us
€1.25
BILLION SPEND R&D (5 YEAR)
3,000
SCIENTISTS EMPLOYED
+3,100
PATENTS
70
LABORATORIES GLOBALLY
+200
YEARS
+€9
BILLION REVENUE
+34
THOUSAND EMPLOYEES
+150
ACTIVE COUNTRIES
Why China

China plays a pivotal role in supporting AkzoNobel’s global strategy and growth ambition.

Leveraging its global resources and leading position in innovation, AkzoNobel is committed to supporting China’s New Economy via value co-creation from collaborative innovation together with our local partners.

“We are passionate about working with the startups and incubators in China to unleash the market potentials and possibilities through our unique platform.”
Mark Kwok

AkzoNobel China and North Asia President
BU Director, Decorative Paints North Asia

Meet our

Meet our
Team
Steerco
Meet our
Steerco
Team
Paint the Future is an excellent platform which allows AkzoNobel work with existing and potential partners on innovative paints and coating solutions, to make life more beautiful and world more sustainable.

Jerry Zhang

Regional Supply Chain Director Asia
Your dream matters. Don't settle, keep looking.

Louisa Zhu

Head of Communications China & North Asia
The future demands more sustainable solutions and a circular economic value chain. We'll get there through collaboration. That's why we're leading the transformation of the paints and coatings industry with our collaborative innovation ecosystem, Paint the Future.

Chen Ling

R&D Director, Deco Paints China & North Asia
The Paint the Future China startup challenge is an excellent opportunity to connect with innovative partners in China and drive together the future of paint and coatings industry. We hope to establish long-term partnerships to drive exciting projects.

Kaj van Alem

Regional Commercial Director Metal Asia Pacific
Painting your dreams, creating your future.

Zhou Ling

GBS Site Lead

Meet our

Meet our
Team
Steerco
Meet our
Steerco
Team
China is one of the biggest paints and coatings market with massive opportunities for investment, innovation and growth. Paint the Future demonstrates AkzoNobel desire and commitment to collaborate with the industry for innovation to improve the ecosystem.

Emily Peng

Regional procurement manager
Chasing material and solution renovation on heavy duty anti-corrosion, Hi-temp & PFP/ anti fouling field

Weiwei Hong

MPY regional sales manager of SE China
Keep Calm and Carry On

Maggie Shao

Development and Solution Lab Manager，Industrial Coatings, North Asia
The times are full of opportunities and challenges, a better future without fear of challenges. May AkzoNobel and outstanding startups achieve a win-win cooperation and create a bright era.

Xiaoting Zhou

Powder Coating Regional Margin & Product Portfolio Analyst
Better paint solutions, paint our mission and dream.

Vivian Zhong

Marketing Segment Manager Consumer Electronics Global, Automotive & Specialty Coatings
Paint the Future is the way to make more productive to the industry and to make our community be sustainable. It is bringing a real magic to the whole paints and coatings systems.

Walter Shang

Industry coatings PKG&COIL regional controller APAC
Innovation is our invitation to go beyond. Paint is no longer just about color and protection. Paint has to do more. Paint the Future is the ecosystem to accelerate innovation in paints and coatings.

Elaine Gu

Communication Manager, Branding and Public Affaris, North Asia
Painting your dreams, creating your future.

Suki Yang

Strategy & New Business Development Manager, Decorative Paints, China & North Asia