TORONTO - Nestlé Canada is pleased to announce that Nufuuds is the winner of SPARK 2019, Nestlé Canada’s inaugural entrepreneurial case competition.
The Nestlé SPARK Case Competition supports Nestlé Canada’s vision of fostering entrepreneurial spirit while championing youth. Launched in September and available to students who are actively enrolled in post-secondary education, the SPARK Competition invited student entrepreneurs from across Canada to share their start-up business ideas and proposals with Nestlé Canada. Over 40 teams registered and the final top three teams were invited to present their proposal to a panel of judges for a chance to win $1,500 in seed funding for their business concept as well as employment and training opportunities.
“As part of our Global YOUth Initiative, we are committed to championing today’s youth and truly fostering an entrepreneurial spirit,” said Alastair Macdonald, Senior Vice President Human Resources Nestlé Canada. “SPARK helps us build a robust talent pool for entry level opportunities across the organization, while building a presence and rapport with Canadian post-secondary institutions.”
“At Nufuuds we are passionate about food and branding, and to have the opportunity to vet our business idea to a team of industry experts from the world’s largest food and beverage company was extremely invaluable,” said Devon Hawkins, Business Development and Content Creation Nufuuds Inc. “We entered the SPARK Case Competition to gain a greater understanding of how to build a brand and launch a product and are excited to roll out our second stage of production with the support of Nestlé Canada.”
Nufuuds Inc. was created in July 12, 2019 by a group of students from Queen’s University, Kington Ontario. Nufuuds uses algae to create delicious and nutrient rich meal alternatives that make it easy for consumers to eat sustainably. For more information about Nufuuds Inc. visit https://nufuuds.com
Nestlé Needs YOUth, one of Nestlé’s flagship initiatives, supports youth in becoming inspiring leaders within Nestlé, successful agripreneurs, entrepreneurs and game-changers, regardless of their field or level of expertise. Announced in 2017, the Nestlé Needs YOUth Global Initiative aims to help 10 million young people worldwide access economic opportunities by 2030. Through the YOUth Global Initiative, Nestlé Canada is committed to offering more than 18,000 young Canadians with employment and training opportunities.
For more information about the Nestlé YOUth Initiative, visit www.corporate.nestle.ca.
About Nestlé Canada
Nestlé is the world’s largest food and beverage company present in 189 countries. Nestlé in Canada locally manufactures and/or distributes some of the world's most recognized and trusted brands, including LEAN CUISINE, NESQUIK, NESTLÉ GOOD START, HÄAGEN-DAZS, KIT KAT, NESCAFÉ, NESTLÉ PURE LIFE and NESTLÉ DRUMSTICK. Its 3,500 employees in approximately 20 locations across Canada are committed to Nestlé’s purpose of enhancing quality of life and contributing to a healthier future. In 2016, Nestlé celebrated its 150-year anniversary, and has been present in Canada since 1887.