K-CONECTA is a Startup Connection Program hosted by Kimberly-Clark, a world leader in the manufacturing and supplying of essential products for better life.The Startup Connection Program creates a forum for companies to submit their currently available product or service ideas to solve a demand at Kimberly-Clark.
Selected startups will run a pilot or proof of concept to test their solutions in a business environment. This will validate whether their innovative product or service fulfills Kimberly-Clark's needs.
At the end of the program, a validated project could lead to the startup being considered as a Kimberly-Clark partner or supplier.
Challenges
Kimberly-Clark has defined 10 business challenges. The goal of these challenges are to connect with the innovation ecosystem. These challenges will bring new innovative product and process solutions to our clients and customers who value the Kimberly-Clark experience that creates a better life.
Customer inventory management
New products and services that have sinergy with KC brands
Efficiency in the execution at the point of sales
Closer to small retail via the indirect market route
Shopper experience at the point of sales
Cooperation and connection with medical and healthcare professionals
Technological solutions for sanitizing bathrooms against virus and bacteria
Goods delivery occurence management
Mandatory training management
Circular economy for packaging
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for startups who already have their product or service available in the market. The service should be viable, develop and validated. The startups need to address one of the defined KC Challenges in scope, but there are no restrictions on the solution or technology type. Startups are to be located in Brazil.
How it works
The program is structured around the 5 stages described below.
Registration
Open to startups from all over Brazil until July 24, 2020. The selected startups for pitch day will be published on July 28, 2020.
Immersion
Immersion into each of the K-C relevant challenges to co-create proof of concept in the Canvas Pilot will occur from August 25 to 27, 2020.
Filter
Pitch Day will take place on August 11, 2020 in São Paulo, Brazil. The startups selected to move onto the next stage will be released on August 14, 2020.
Pilot
Startups will present their solution/technology tests in a Kimberly-Clark environment starting on September 8, 2020.
Evaluation
The evaluation results on the presentations and the potential business partnerships with Kimberly-Clark in São Paulo, Brazil will be announced on December 10, 2020.
Why participate?
Opportunity
to test your solution/technology with a large company.
Possibility of contracting as a supplier or partner of Kimberly-Clark without any assignment of participation (business equity).
Networking, visibility and support of a major company.
Program focusing on generating business quickly without impacting your work schedule with mentoring, training and events.
Register your startup
and come leverage your business with a company leader on its segment.
For further information, see the program’s rules.
Executives
Fernanda Hermanny
Marketing Director
Challenge: New products and services that have sinergy with kc brands
Patrícia Menezes
Marketing Director
Challenge: Cooperation and connection with medical and healthcare professionals
Aroldo Gonçalves
Sales Capabilities Director
Challenge: Efficiency in the execution at the point of sales
Bruno Siqueira
Trade Marketing Director
Challenge: Shopper experience at the point of sales
Victor Silva
Sales Director
Challenge: Closer to small retail via the indirect market route
José Henrique Campos
Sales Operation Manager
Challenge: Customer inventory management
Patrícia Macedo
Marketing Director
Challenge: Circular economy for packaging
Cláudio Buiatti
R&E Director Latin America
Challenge: Technological solutions for sanitizing bathrooms against virus and bacteria
Sérgio Montanha
Operations Director
Challenge: Mandatory training management
Danielle Guimarães
Customer Service and Distribution Manager
Challenge: Goods delivery occurence management
Get to know Kimberly-Clark products
F.A.Q.
Can I register an idea?
No, the program is intended for startups that already have a minimum viable product (MVP) tested on a small scale and those that already have revenue and are operating in the market.
Can I participate even if I’m not from São Paulo?
Yes, the program is open to all startups based in Brazil that can meet the program's challenges. However, the Pitch Day, Immersion Day for designing the pilot proposal, and the Pilot Result Presentation require the presence of the entrepreneurs at the event place.
Will all companies participate in Pitch Day?
No, only the ones selected in the Filter stage.
Is this a long-term program?
No. This is a quick connection, focused program.
Do I have to give away the intellectual property of my project?
No. The intellectual property of your project remains yours.
Will all events be in person?
The events could be moved online depending on the pandemic situation in Brazil and we will know more closer to the event dates. The startups selected for the next phases will be told in advance.
About Kimberly-Clark
Kimberly-Clark - an American multinational personal care product company -- and its brands are an indispensable part of people's lives in more than 175 countries. Driven by innovation, creativity, and a understanding of the population’s core needs, we create products that contribute to making life better. Present in the world since 1872 and in Brazil for 23 years, our brand portfolio includes: Huggies®, Kleenex®, Scott®, Intimus®, Neve®, Plenitud®, WypAll®. In 80 countries, our products hold the first or second place in the categories they compete in. Kimberly-Clark relies on sustainable practices that support a healthy planet, build stronger communities, and ensure that the company will thrive in the upcoming decades.
To follow the latest news and learn more about the 147 years of K-C’s innovation history, visit the website kimberly-clark.com.br and follow its profile on LinkedIn.
About Innoscience
I N N O V A T I O N A D V I S O R
Innoscience is a Corporate Innovation Consultancy that provides knowledge, methods and, experiences to support established companies generate results. It has already received more than 2,500 applications, implemented more than 20 startup connection programs, and reached 150 approved pilots that resulted in 70 hires among startups and companies. Innoscience is responsible for structuring and operationalizing the K-Conecta program.
