NVC stimulates holistic packaging innovation in sync with new financing methods

01 October 2015

The world needs holistic packaging innovation, and new financing methods like crowdfunding may greatly assist to achieve this goal. This conclusion was drawn after the kick-off of packaging innovation contest De Gouden Noot 2016 which took place October 1st, 2015 at the Royal Industrieele Groote Club (IGC) Amsterdam. Innovators and financiers in packaging shared their views in a unique meeting, organised by NVC Netherlands Packaging Centre.

The name of De Gouden Noot (‘the golden walnut’) is reflected in the winner’s trophy, which has a solid golden walnut inside as symbol for the best holistic packaging innovation. The kick-off marked the start of the 28th edition of what is arguably the world’s most competitive packaging innovation contest. NVC Chairman Mrs. Christel Geerts officially handed over the unique trophy to the Chairman of the Jury, prof. Onno Omta and wished him and the Jury all the wisdom required to decide on the ultimate winner out of the forty innovative packages that may join the contest.


NVC Chairman Mrs. Christel Geerts officially hands over the delicate trophy of De Gouden Noot 2016 with the solid gold walnut inside to the Chairman of the Jury, prof. Onno Omta (Photo: Lody van Berkel, Packonline.nl)

New ways of financing packaging innovation were debated at the kick-off event as well. Crowdfunding is creating a wealth of new opportunities for young entrepreneurs, SMEs and large corporations alike. This trend was highlighted by prof. Paul Iske in a keynote lecture at the event: Bye Bye Banks! Crowdfunding as accelerator for innovation in packaging.


Prof. Paul Iske, presenting the drastic growth of alternative financing methods in his keynote lecture at the event with the title: Bye Bye Banks! Crowdfunding as accelerator for innovation in packaging
(Photo: Lody van Berkel, Packonline.nl)

The new NVC project (Crowdfunding for Packaging Innovations project, CFPIN) aims to accelerate investment in packaging innovation by unlocking the potential of crowdfunding and novel financing methods. The project aims to facilitate a business community in alternative financing, thus raising awareness by sharing information on alternative finance at selected (European) conferences and events, and addressing truly ground-breaking innovations in packaging. The first crowdfunding platform website dedicated to packaging innovation was launched by CFPIN-project founding partner Geldvoorelkaar. This includes a successfully financed innovation project of €500,000 in an innovative packaging printing technology.

The winner of packaging innovation contest De Gouden Noot 2016 will be announced on November 24th, 2016 at the award ceremony in the Evoluon Eindhoven, The Netherlands. The seven finalists and the winners of gold, silver and bronze will be displayed at the NVC stand at the North entrance of the world’s #1 packaging exhibition interpack 2017 (Dusseldorf Germany, May 4-10th, 2017).

Video-impression
The link to a video impression of the event can be obtained via info@nvc.nl

More information
NVC (founded in 1953) is the association of companies addressing the activity of packaging throughout the supply chain of packaged products. The NVC membership, projects, information services and education programme stimulate the continuous improvement of packaging.

Information about De Gouden Noot can be found at www.degoudennoot.com
Information about the Crowdfunding for Packaging Innovations project (CFPIN) can be found at http://www.en.nvc.nl/crowdfunding-for-packaging-innovation/