Entrepreneurship
Centering entrepreneurship is vital to accelerating nutrition as an economic development and nutrition security priority. The Institute identifies and champions entrepreneurs and startups that are innovating for a nutrition centered economy.
Innovate Forward 2024: The Healthy Aging Challenge
Nestlé Health Science and the Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute at the Friedman School at Tufts University are launching the 2nd annual Innovation Challenge. The Challenge will award strategy guidance, technical support, and mentorship to an emerging startup from Nestlé Health Science and Tufts University experts.
DEADLINE EXTENDED: Applications now due by Saturday, November 16th
Innovate Forward: The Healthy Aging Challenge is a joint initiative created to accelerate innovation in longevity and to support healthy aging. The initiative focuses on women’s health (e.g., PMS, menopause, sexual health), cognitive health, gut health, and metabolic health, including weight management, which evolves with aging and can significantly impact the overall quality of life.
The Healthy Aging Challenge is intended to support new, impactful startups that will benefit the health and wellness of an aging population, particularly women. To that end, Nestlé Health Science and the Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute are teaming up to drive solutions for improved longevity and healthier aging. The winner will receive strategic resources and insightful expertise to help address business challenges and accelerate innovation including:
- A day at the Nestle Product Technology Center (NPTC) in Bridgewater, NJ to discuss the areas you identify for focused discussion with Nestlé Health Science experts.
- On-going support from Nestlé Health Science for 3 – 6 months to address action items from the day at the NPTC. For example, previous winners have received input to help optimize formulas for taste and cost, help strengthen claims and consumer messaging, and guidance related to regulatory questions.
- One year membership on the Friedman School’s Food & Nutrition Innovation Council ($10K value) plus priceless connections to potential customers, collaborators, and mentors.
Learn more about the need for innovation and the call to action from the Nestlé Health Science newsroom.
For a complete set of rules, see Innovate Forward Rules.
Meet our 2023 winners!
2024 Winner
2024 – Isuku
Isuku represents a low-cost, high-impact solution to a pressing need: accessible hygiene. The enterprise is not just providing soap; it’s fostering a healthier community. With the oversight of Tufts University’s students and faculty and the financial backing of Move Up Global, Isuku is building local capacity and ensuring sustainable growth. The goal is clear: to evolve Isuku into a self-sustaining social enterprise that can be replicated across the district and, ultimately, the nation.
Isuku’s vision extends beyond the bars of soap it produces. It sees a future where families are nourished, children are energized in classrooms, and communities are interwoven with its business. With each bar of soap, Isuku is saving lives and nurturing hope for a cleaner, healthier Rwanda.
How Does the Competition Work?
The Tufts $100K is a new ventures competition brought to you by the Derby Center for Entrepreneurship at Tufts. As part of this competition, the Friedman School awards a $5K cash prize and a one-year membership to the Food & Nutrition Innovation Council to the venture that best advances nutrition science and/or food system innovation.
To enter the Competition and compete for the Friedman Prize, please visit the $100k New Ventures Competition website.
The 2025 Competition
In 2025, teams are invited to compete for The Friedman Food & Nutrition Innovation $5k Prize through the Derby Entrepreneurship Center’s $100k New Ventures Competition.
The Friedman Food & Nutrition Innovation $5k Prize, sponsored by the Tufts Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute, is awarded at the Tufts Derby Center for Entrepreneurship $100k New Ventures Competition. For 2025, qualifying teams entering the Tufts $100k will be invited to also compete for the Friedman Food & Nutrition Innovation $5k Prize. This prize will be considered for any competing venture that focuses specifically on food system innovation and/or nutrition and creatively tackles the numerous opportunities and challenges related to food, wellness and sustainability. We encourage diverse and creative submissions and interdisciplinary teams.
Meet Our Entrepreneur Advisors
Our Advisors are successful business and social entrepreneurs who provide, based on their own time and interest, guidance to the School, our amazing students and faculty, and fledgling companies.
Dasha Agoulnik
N19—CEO, CorePerform
Wendy Behr
N15—Chief R&D Officer, Sovos Brands; Member, Tufts Nutrition Council
Silvia Berciano Benitez
Tufts University
Richard Black
Principal, Quadrant D Consulting; Adjunct Professor, Friedman School; Member, Tufts Nutrition Council
Michael Blau
N12P—Retired Partner, Foley and Lardner LLP; Member, Friedman School Board of Advisors
Kevin Boylan
Co-Founder, Veggie Grill; Managing Partner, PowerPlant Ventures
Karen Bressler
Director, Boston Scott/ Qurological
Matthew Claudel
Founder, Field States, Co-Founder MIT Design X
Christopher Damman
Chief Medical Officer, UR Labs
Jessica Deckinger
Chief Marketing Officer, Everbridge
Jack Derby
Professor, Tufts Entrepreneurship Center; CEO, Derby Management
Stephanie Dorsey
Founding Partner, E2JDJ VC
Leslie Durso
Vegan Chef & Wellness Expert, Leslie Durso Inc.
Jimena Florez
Founder and CEO, Chaak Health Snacks
Betsy Fore
Co-founder, Tiny Organics
Kim Fortunato
CEO, Kim Fortunato Consulting; former President, Campbell Soup Foundation
Arvind Gupta
Managing Director, IndieBio; General Partner, SOSV
Jennifer Hashley
AG05—Director of New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, Friedman School
Andrew Ive
Founder, Big Idea Ventures; Member, Tufts Nutrition Council
Kellee James
Founder & CEO, Mercaris
Corey Jones
Founding Partner, E2JDJ VC
Johan Jorgensen
Founder, Sweden FoodTech
Michael Karsch
A90, F91—The Juice Press, LLC; Member, Friedman School Board of Advisors; Trustee, Tufts University
Zain Kassam
Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer, Finch Therapeutics
Patricia Kearney
N78, AG81—President & CEO, PMK Associates, Inc.; Member, Tufts Nutrition Council
Alexander King
Director, Strategy, Insights & Analytics, Eastman; Mentor, MIT Venture Mentor Service
Ashley Koff
CEO, The Better Nutrition Program
Monique Marez
Founder, Eptimizo
Ron Molina-Brantley
VP, Relationship Manager, Berkshire Bank
Ayr Muir
Founder & CEO, Clover Food Lab
Tawanda Muzhingi
Innovation, Plant Based Foods Association
Mehrdad Noorani
Founding Partner, Global Infrastructure Partners
Sean O’Sullivan
Founder and Managing Partner, SOSV; Member, Tufts Nutrition Council
Kevin Jyo Oye
E79 —Executive Director, Gordon Institute; Director, M.S. in Innovation & Management Program Professor of the Practice, Tufts University
Rebecca Parekh
Founder & CEO, THE WELL
Victor Penev
CEO, Edamam, food tech/health tech mentor
David Radlo
Partner, Achievemost
Micah Risk
N13—Head of Nutrition, Lighter Inc.
Ron Shigeta
CSO, Wild Earth Pets
Rajiv Srinath
Co-Founder and Managing Partner, MNI Partners LLC
Emily Steliotes
A15, N17—Agriculture and Food Systems Researcher, HowGood; Co-Founder and Coach, Golden Acorn
Bob Stringer
Founder & CEO, Crimson Seed Capital LLC
Maha Tahiri
Founder & CEO, Nutrition Sustainability Strategies LLC; Adjunct Professor, Tufts University
Heather Terry
Executive Mentor, Serial Entrepreneur, and Partner at BeyondBrands
Latham Thomas
Founder, Nutrition and Lifestyle Expert, Mama Glow; Member, Tufts Nutrition Council
Matthew M. Whitney
CEO, Siegel Egg
Amy Wu
Founder & Chief Content Director, From Farms to Incubators
Jaharis Family Center for Biomedical and Nutrition Sciences Tufts University
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