For seven consecutive years since year 2007, Henkel, makers of globally known products including Persil, Schwarzkopf, and Loctite has been sponsoring the Henkel Innovation Challenge. Henkel is organized into three globally operating business units namely Laundry and Home Care, Beauty Care, and Adhesive Technologies. The Henkel Innovation Challenge is focused on innovation specifically in these areas. Now on its 8th year, this student competition continues to drive home the point that innovation is the key to success.

Henkel Innovation Challenge 8: Create.Learn.Grow.

Once again, the Henkel Innovation Challenge motivates students to create an innovative concept while having the chance to be coached by Henkel managers, to compete with students around the world, learn about sustainability, and to bring their creative and management skills to the next level. This year's theme is Create.Learn.Grow.





How to Participate



Register online as a team of 2 students and submit an idea for an innovative and sustainable product or technology for a Henkel brand in 2050. Successful registration will provide access to an e-learning platform with helpful material, hints, and tips. Submission is completed by stating motivation to participate and providing CV information.


Expected Benefits



Joining the Henkel Innovation Challenge offers extraordinary opportunities for mentorship as Henkel top managers take on the task of developing participants' projects while training their skills. Being an international competition, joining provides opportunities to meet like-minded people. This is not merely competition as participants are expected to have fun networking with their peers from different cultures. Also, it is a chance to have a real business experience with one of the world's leading companies at that.

Prizes





Of course, there are the fabulous prizes to provide added motivation to compete. The first winning team stands to win a ticket around the world and 10,000 €. The second and third winning teams will be awarded travel vouchers worth 4000 €  and 2000 €, respectively. The three winning teams will also be invited to the Henkel Headquarters in Dusseldorf to meet CEO Kasper Rorsted. 

Career Opportunities



The many success stories as told by many participants to the previous challenges highlight the point that the journey does not end when the competition does. This has been proven by those who went on to build their respective careers with Henkel. Some saw the competition as the perfect way to introduce themselves to the company, an opportunity that is not usually available.



My Say

Behind every product or innovation is an individual or group of individuals who dared to dream of the possibilities and acted on it. Excellent products are never an accident. They are the results of meticulously working on ideas until they actually benefit their intended users. 

That said, the very reason why competitions like the Henkel Innovation Challenge are relevant is the fact that there will never be more than enough of good products. As human needs evolve, so should the products that cater to these needs change. We learn and grow as we create.

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