Marks & Spencer launches tech start-up sustainability challenge to drive net-zero goals

Marks & Spencer’s Ignite innovation team has linked up with innovation and tech investor True to run the project, designed to find “ideas and technologies that can encourage more sustainable behaviours amongst customers, as well as solutions that can help M&S achieve further efficiencies in its agricultural supply chains”.

The consumer initiative aims to “drive better engagement with customers and help them make more sustainable choices”.

In agriculture, M&S aims to find “innovative solutions that offer end-to-end process efficiency whilst promoting sustainability across the full agricultural supply chain”.

M&S head of Ignite Stuart Ramage said: “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 innovation team along the way.”

True managing director of innovation and chief customer officer Mike Tattersall said: “Our partnership with the M&S Ignite team continues to go from strength to strength as we launch these two new challenges. I’m incredibly proud that True has the reach and network to drive real, positive change across one of the nation’s most cherished retailers and improve its overall environmental impact through these innovation challenges.”

Start-ups interested in taking part can find details here.