Northumbria University, Newcastle, is partnering with The Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF) to help deliver the third Disruptive Innovation Festival (DIF) between 7-25 November 2016. The Festival aims to help develop knowledge and practice that will lead to a more sustainable future. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation have developed a Circular Economy model that seeks to deliver both business and environmental benefits.

As part of the their global Disruptive Innovation Festival, we are hosting a 24 hour Circular Economy Innovation challenge called ‘Our Relationship with Food’. This will involve students from Business, Design, Engineering and Health-studies all working together to create innovative responses to key Circular Economy challenges that face companies working within the food sector. We are inviting companies to join us as challenge sponsors; offering a specific challenge, a little of their time & expertise, some food to help fuel the 24 hours and a prize for the winning team(s). We anticipate challenges ranging from issues around logistics, packaging, production, preparation, retail and consumer-behaviour, but we certainly aren’t limited to these; we want your real challenges.

In return for your challenge sponsorship you will, of course, be recognised through the Disruptive Innovation Festival and Northumbria’s websites, social media and press-releases, but more excitingly, you will have access to the ideas that emerge from over 150 creative minds all working together with leading academics to consider ‘Our Relationship with Food’!

If you would like to know more, please contact Mark Bailey, Director of Innovation Design in order to find out more.