Marks & Spencer has launched its first sustainability innovation challenge for start-ups, with the retailer looking to work with tech-focused partners to achieve its net zero goal by 2040.
Alongside the innovation and investment firm True, M&S’s Ignite team is seeking ideas and technologies that will encourage more sustainable behaviours amongst its customers and provide solutions that can help the business achieve further efficiencies in its agricultural supply chains.
M&S stated that start-ups and scale-ups can apply for one – or both – of the two tasks before a top solution for each is chosen for a proof of concept and trial across the business, with scope for further rollout.
Stuart Ramage, Head of Ignite Programme at M&S, said: “Calling all start-ups, we’re on the hunt for your latest innovation or technology, which will help us reduce our impact on tomorrow’s world. In return, we can turn an idea into reality and offer a trial backed by the scale of M&S as a global retailer, with support from our dedicated Ignite innovation team along the way. We’re really excited to hear all of your ideas as we continue to drive a culture of innovation across M&S.”
