Visibility & credibility
Build visibility for your venture through Tufts and FNII among leaders across science, industry, investment, and the food system.
INNOVATE FORWARD WOMEN'S HEALTH CHALLENGE
Advancing Breakthroughs in Women’s Midlife Health
The Innovate Forward: Women’s Health Challenge calls on startups that accelerate solutions for perimenopause, menopause, and midlife, including urogenital and metabolic health needs.
Open to businesses worldwide. Applicants must be legally registered entities in their respective countries. Subject to eligibility restrictions, including U.S. and international sanctions. Applications must be submitted by February 10, 2027 at 11:59 PM EST. Visit here for official rules. Void where prohibited.
Menopause Matters
Closing the Research Gap
By 2030, 1.2 billion women worldwide1 will experience menopause - yet research for this critical life stage remains underfunded.
Why Menopause Innovation Matters
Women spend nearly one-third of their lives post-menopause, facing heightened risks of metabolic ailments and other health challenges.
A 2022 analysis found that only 4% of healthcare research and innovation investments focus on women’s health, and just 1% target female-specific conditions beyond oncology2.
The need for research, innovation, and support is urgent. This challenge accelerates scientific, technological, and entrepreneurial solutions that address this critical gap.
“Menopause innovation is not just about symptom relief. It’s about women’s health, healthy aging, and improving quality of life for generations of women.”
Sources
- 1.Hill K. The demography of menopause. Maturitas. 1996 Mar;23(2):113-27. doi: 10.1016/0378-5122(95)00968-x. PMID: 8735350. PubMed
- 2.McKinsey & Company. Unlocking opportunities in women’s healthcare; 2022. mckinsey.com
THE 2026-2027 INNOVATION CHALLENGE
Accelerating the next generation of
women’s health solutions
General Information
What is the Innovate Forward: Women’s Health Challenge?
It’s a global innovation challenge designed to accelerate solutions that improve women’s health, led in partnership by Tufts Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute and Nestlé's Health & Nutrition business.
Who is organizing the challenge?
The challenge is co-hosted by Tufts Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute and Nestlé's Health & Nutrition business, with support from academic and industry partners.
What areas of women’s health are the priority for this year?
This year’s focus for Innovate Forward: Women’s Health Challenge is on perimenopause and menopause - addressing symptom relief, urogenital health, and metabolic resilience.
Why should I apply to the Innovation Challenge?
You should apply to the Innovation Challenge for the following reasons:
- ●Visibility & Recognition — Showcase your work on a global stage, backed by Tufts Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute and Nestlé.
- ●Mentorship — Winners receive direct mentorship from experts from FNII and Nestlé's Health & Nutrition business on regulatory pathways, product development, and scaling strategies.
- ●Partnership Opportunities — Explore collaborations with world-class academic and industry partners committed to advancing perimenopause and menopause care.
- ●Community — Join a network of innovators and gain recognition for addressing one of the most urgent and underserved areas of women’s health.
Eligibility & Participation
Who can apply to the challenge?
Entrepreneurs, researchers, startups, and students working on women’s health solutions are welcome.
Do I need to have a fully developed product or is an early-stage idea acceptable?
Both early-stage ideas and developed solutions are eligible. This includes:
- ●Pre-seed and seed-stage ventures with validated prototypes or early clinical/market traction.
- ●Series A companies ready to scale or refine their offering.
- ●Later-stage growth companies that have launched an MVP, and open to mentorship and collaboration with Nestlé & Tufts.
What level of technology or scientific readiness is required?
Solutions should demonstrate a credible scientific basis and some level of early validation. This may include preclinical or clinical evidence, peer-reviewed data, or proof-of-concept or early prototype results. The goal is to ensure that innovations have a sound foundation and can realistically benefit from the mentorship, resources, and networks provided by Tufts and Nestlé.
Are international applicants eligible?
Yes, applications are welcome from around the world.
Application Process
How do I apply?
Complete the online application form available on the challenge website, uploading a short 10-slide pitch deck.
What must the pitch deck include?
The pitch deck should address unmet need, your solution and differentiation, competitive advantage, scientific basis, key data, business case, IP overview, team expertise, and a roadmap for growth.
What additional information do I need to include in my application?
You’ll be asked for a short description of your innovation, the problem it addresses, your target audience, and your development stage.
Is there an application fee?
No, applying to the challenge is free.
What are the key deadlines I need to know?
Applications must be submitted between November 04, 2026 and February 10, 2027.
Can I submit multiple entries?
No, each applicant may only submit one entry.
Where can I find the official rules?
Visit here for official rules.
Judging
Who are the judges?
The Innovate Forward Committee, made up of experts in science, medicine, and commercialization from the Tufts and Nestlé teams.
What criteria will judges use to evaluate proposals?
Applications are judged on: Innovation, Impact, Fit with focus areas, Intellectual property, Business model, Team qualifications, and Quality of presentation.
When will the finalists be selected?
Finalists will be selected between February - March 2027 and will pitch virtually. The winner will be announced in April 2027.
Benefits & Support
What does the winner receive?
- ●A mentorship engagement of up to 6-months Nestlé experts, including mentorship and technical guidance.
- ●A 1-year virtual residency with Tufts Food & Nutrition Innovation Council, providing access to a global network.
Disclaimer: Participation does not guarantee a commercial relationship, investment, pilot, licensing arrangement or other partnership with Nestlé or Tufts.
Will Nestlé have rights to my idea?
No, applicants retain IP ownership, but the winner grants Nestlé a short option period of 3 months to negotiate for further development or commercialization.
Will my application be confidential?
Applications and pitch presentations are non-confidential. Applicants should not include proprietary or trade secret information.
Logistics
Is travel required?
No, the program is designed to be virtual. If you’re selected as a finalist, you will be asked to present virtually.
Who covers expenses?
Applicants are responsible for their own expenses related to preparing and presenting.
Who do I contact for questions?
Email the challenge team at fnii@tufts.edu.
Benefits for the winning venture
Visibility, mentorship, and
potential partnerships
A year inside the Innovation Council
Join the Food & Nutrition Innovation Council’s 150+ member innovation ecosystem, connecting with industry leaders, investors, entrepreneurs and potential collaborators.
Targeted mentorship with experts from Nestlé’s Nutrition & Health business
Up to six months of 1:1 mentorship tailored to the winning venture’s priorities and area of focus.
Pathways to collaboration
Build relationship with Nestlé's Nutrition & Health business and explore opportunities for research, pilots, partnerships, and other forms of collaboration.
Disclaimer: Participation does not guarantee a commercial relationship, investment, pilot, licensing arrangement or other partnership with Nestlé or Tufts.
Breadth of Mentorship
Access targeted perspectives from Nestlé experts to accelerate your growth.
The winning venture can customize a 1:1 mentorship engagement with Nestlé based on a breadth of growth challenges and the venture's area of focus.
Science & Evidence
Scientific validation • Evidence gaps • Clinical strategy
Consumer & Brand
Consumer insights • Positioning • Storytelling • Communications
Product & Scale
Formulation • Sensory • Ingredient qualification • Manufacturing
Go-to-Market & Distribution
Channels • Partnerships • Pricing • Market expansion
Regulatory & Claims
Claim substantiation • Regulatory pathways • Labeling
Venture & Business Strategy
Business model • Strategic roadmap • Fundraising • Scaling
INNOVATE FORWARD WINNERS
Past Winners & Testimonials
Innovate Forward is a global innovation challenge created through a partnership between the Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute and Nestlé's Nutrition & Health business to accelerate solutions that advance women’s health. Our mission is to spotlight bold ideas and empower innovators developing new approaches to women’s health, from longevity to menopause.
About FNII
The Food and Nutrition Innovation Institute at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science & Policy at Tufts University aims to foster a robust, science-driven ecosystem of food, agricultural, and wellness innovation and entrepreneurship for a healthier, equitable, and sustainable food system.
FNII is hosted by the Friedman School, but brings together many schools at Tufts to seek out and foster innovation and entrepreneurship in these areas.
About Nestlé
Nestlé is the world’s largest food and beverage company.
Through its Nutrition & Health business, Nestlé brings together science, innovation and expertise across nutrition and health to help address evolving consumer and patient needs.
Partner With Us
Great ideas move forward together.
Innovation happens when great ideas meet strong partnerships. We welcome collaborators ready to drive solutions in women’s health, healthy aging, and the menopause transition.
Contact the Team