Husqvarna : Innovation challenge aiming to inspire more sustainable lifestyles

The third edition of Sustainovate Open is up and running. A start-up challenge that recognizes and rewards the most disruptive innovations that bring people, nature and urban environments together. "This year the focus will be on tech solutions that will inspire individuals to a more sustainable lifestyle", says Åsa Larsson, Group Sustainability at Husqvarna Group.

Sustainovate Open started in 2020 with an ambition to accelerate the shift into resource-smart products and services engaging the start-up community. The focus of the challenge has varied from circular economy solutions to creating solutions that will inspire individuals to a more sustainable lifestyle. Like last year we join forces with Combient Foundry, a venture client alliance with the capacity to reach the global start-up community.

"We believe that working with start-ups is a way to speed up our sustainability and innovation agenda, says Åsa Larsson, People Target Lead, Group Sustainability at Husqvarna Group. This year we have defined two challenges that will support one of our sustainability targets; to empower 5 million customers and colleagues to make sustainable choices".

All challenges can be found on Combient Foundry's homepage

The power of many

We hope to partner up with start-ups and scale-ups that like us see the clear business potential in solutions that will help people change their behavior to a more sustainable lifestyle. We are looking to create a digital tool where we can support our users' behaviors in optimizing sustainable gardening routines.

"All individual efforts are crucial to mitigate the climate challenges. The impact of one person is limited but the power of many will have a huge positive impact, Åsa continues".

The winners will be appointed in December

The submission deadline for participating start-ups is October 11. Thereafter selections and jury work takes place, which includes in-depth interviews and joint workshops. The winners will be appointed in December.

Apart from the honor of winning and an opportunity to make a real difference, the winners of each challenge will receive a 300,000 SEK maximum pilot budget for developing a Proof of Concept in close collaboration with Husqvarna Group. The objective is to scale the solution and bring it to a global market.