Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation (MCHC) and Greentown Labs, the largest climate tech startup incubator in North America, are now accepting applications for the KAITEKI Challenge, the latest iteration of the Greentown Launch corporate partnership accelerator program. Greentown Labs and MCHC seek novel technologies in alternative proteins, waste plastics recycling, and the prevention of food loss and waste that will promote sustainable consumption in daily life. The KAITEKI Challenge will offer selected startups an opportunity to pursue paid proof of concept collaborations with MCHC and to explore long-term partnerships, licensing agreements, and investment from MCHC’s corporate venture capital arm, Diamond Edge Ventures (DEV).

This corporate partnership accelerator program is rooted in MCHC’s original management concept of “KAITEKI,” which aims to achieve the sustainable well-being of people, society, and planet Earth. MCHC’s businesses include bioplastics, plastic films and sheets, food ingredients, and healthcare, among many others. This challenge will prioritize innovations that enable circularity across proteins, plastics, and packaging value chains.

Benefits to startups selected for the KAITEKI Challenge include:

• Engagement with MCHC Group companies, which have deep market expertise and broad customer networks, and unique visibility to the MCHC top leadership team
• Access to the mentor, corporate partner, and investor network of Greentown Labs
• $25,000 in non-dilutive grant funding to cover the cost of the proof of concept project; additional project funding will be available on a case-by-case basis

The KAITEKI Challenge is for startups in the alternative protein and waste recycling industries with solutions beyond proof of concept and a technology readiness level of three or above. For startups in the prevention of food loss and waste, the challenge is accepting applications for solutions with a technology readiness level of five or above and a product ready for sample testing.

Applications for the KAITEKI Challenge are due by 10 February 2021 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Applicants may apply from anywhere in the world. Selected participants are expected to participate in all challenge events, either virtually or in-person at Greentown Labs’ headquarters in Somerville, Mass., USA.