Partners
Paint the Future is powered by KPMG.
In full partnership, KPMG and AkzoNobel work shoulder-to-shoulder, sharing risks and responsibilities – beyond the traditional consulting model.
KPMG brings extensive experience with open innovation to the table, both in setting up global challenges, implementing challenge management methodology, as well as accelerating innovation with startups. During Paint the Future, and especially during the Finals Event, KPMG will also help shape the cooperation between AkzoNobel and startups.
KPMG believes that innovation cannot be done alone: you need an ecosystem. With this approach, KPMG is helping AkzoNobel build an ecosystem, their innovation launchpad for years to come.
Startup Delta
Startup Delta believes in the added value of strengthening, connecting and growing the thriving startup ecosystem of the Netherlands. We see the Netherlands as the best possible place for starting, growing and internationalising business, and as a gateway to the rest of Europe. With this knowledge they can also help startups strengthen their team to join this ecosystem.
Enterprise Europe Network
The Enterprise Europe Network is an initiative of the European Commission and helps businesses to innovate and grow on an international scale. It is the world’s largest support network for small and medium-sized enterprises with international ambitions, active in 69 countries worldwide and bringing together 3000 experts from over 600 member organizations renowned for their excellence in business support. The Sector Groups serve some of Europe’s most important sectors, such as Biotechnology, Chemistry, Intelligent Energy and ICT & Security, offering comprehensive and high quality European knowledge transfer, information, and business support service for organizations, particularly SMEs, with a view to increasing their competitiveness and promoting their overall economic growth. Both KVK and RVO are EEN-partners in the Netherlands.
We believe in the human capital of innovation and that it is people who create, not businesses or organizations. The Paint the Future open innovation platform offers inspiring opportunities for innovative and creative people to share their ideas and vision. Since large multinationals usually keep their innovation process behind closed doors, Paint the Future can be regarded as both “gutsy and vulnerable” at the same time, which is to our opinion a most beautiful progressive model.
Think less technology push and more market/society pull. Be aware that you operate at the beginning of the value chain. When discussing your proposition with your potential partner, put yourself in their position, trying to understand the dynamics of feasibility, economics, and global environmental and social needs. Listen and be enriched by visions from others. Be strong by being vulnerable. It will pay out.