Christine Esposito, Managing Editor07.15.21
Two skin care entrepreneurs competed against a drug developer and a children’s allergy start-up in P&G Ventures’ Fifth Innovation Challenge, which was held online July 14, 2021. The four executives pitched their products to a panel of judges and fielded questions about their business strengths and future promise. In the end, Ohad Bendror (Bendas) of NanoSpun Technologies was tapped as the winner, netting $10,000 and a chance to partner with P&G Ventures to continue developing his company's product.
Bendror, who has led NanoSpun since its creation in 2011, competed against Juliana Carvalho, co-founder of skin care company OneSkin, which offers a topical supplement designed to extend your skin's lifespan; David Dill, CEO and president of Wellesley Pharmaceuticals (creator of a pill for low bladder capacity that reduces the frequency of nighttime trips to the bathroom); and Daniel Zakowski, CEO/co-founder Ready Set Food, which concentrates on food allergy prevention measures in children.
“We are honored and thrilled to be selected as the winner of the P&G Ventures Innovation Challenge 2021, out of this special and impressive group of companies and entrepreneurs,” Bendror said. “We thank P&G Ventures and the judges for supporting us and sharing our vision to revolutionize cell-based skincare treatment and beyond. We look forward to continuing working closely with P&G Ventures and are excited to build a solid win-win partnership.”
NanoSpun Technologies, which has facilities in Israel and US, develops first-of-its-kind, live-active biological tissues for skincare, medical and industrial applications, The company says its “game-changing products and technology turn biology into engineered solutions, offer the ultimate control over the biological cells and harness the power of biology for day to day use as well as for advanced medical solutions.”
The company’s IP encompasses patents, know-how and proprietary production, Bendror said.
NanoSpun is focusing on the cosmetics space initially, according to Bendror, with live active skin care masks products based on a bioprinting technology.
“Skin care is merely the tip of the iceberg, he said during the Q&A. “This capability to integrate live cells including further medical and other type of applications that are based on cells activities.”
The panel of judges were Alex Betancourt, VP of P&G Ventures, Anu Duggal, founding partner of Female Founders Fund; Mike Jensen, SVP of R&D at P&G Ventures, and Michael Olmstead, chief revenue officer of Plug and Play.
As the judges deliberated, P&G Ventures hosted a conversation with serial entrepreneur Clarence Wooten.
Wooten is the only African-American to have founded and led two internet startups to acquisitions by publically traded companies. He is co-founding general partner at Revitalize, a venture studio focused on transforming the complexion of tech by building break-out software startups led by diverse teams.
All of the competition's finalists will be joining alumni from past Innovation Challenges in P&G Ventures' Alumni Group, noted P&G Ventures. This assembly of entrepreneurs will continue to receive training, support and resources from P&G Ventures, as well as the opportunity to network amongst some of the most promising CPG startups across a variety of sectors.
"These Innovation Challenges have become a key way for P&G Ventures to connect with early-stage brands, businesses and startups in the fast-moving consumer goods space," said Betancourt in a statement after the competition. "P&G is committed to improving the lives of our customers, and at P&G Ventures we partner with startups who share that mission. We congratulate NanoSpun for winning our latest challenge, and we applaud all the finalists on their efforts. We can't wait to see where you go with your innovations."
The Innovation Challenge is available to view here.
Bendror, who has led NanoSpun since its creation in 2011, competed against Juliana Carvalho, co-founder of skin care company OneSkin, which offers a topical supplement designed to extend your skin's lifespan; David Dill, CEO and president of Wellesley Pharmaceuticals (creator of a pill for low bladder capacity that reduces the frequency of nighttime trips to the bathroom); and Daniel Zakowski, CEO/co-founder Ready Set Food, which concentrates on food allergy prevention measures in children.
“We are honored and thrilled to be selected as the winner of the P&G Ventures Innovation Challenge 2021, out of this special and impressive group of companies and entrepreneurs,” Bendror said. “We thank P&G Ventures and the judges for supporting us and sharing our vision to revolutionize cell-based skincare treatment and beyond. We look forward to continuing working closely with P&G Ventures and are excited to build a solid win-win partnership.”
NanoSpun Technologies, which has facilities in Israel and US, develops first-of-its-kind, live-active biological tissues for skincare, medical and industrial applications, The company says its “game-changing products and technology turn biology into engineered solutions, offer the ultimate control over the biological cells and harness the power of biology for day to day use as well as for advanced medical solutions.”
The company’s IP encompasses patents, know-how and proprietary production, Bendror said.
NanoSpun is focusing on the cosmetics space initially, according to Bendror, with live active skin care masks products based on a bioprinting technology.
“Skin care is merely the tip of the iceberg, he said during the Q&A. “This capability to integrate live cells including further medical and other type of applications that are based on cells activities.”
The panel of judges were Alex Betancourt, VP of P&G Ventures, Anu Duggal, founding partner of Female Founders Fund; Mike Jensen, SVP of R&D at P&G Ventures, and Michael Olmstead, chief revenue officer of Plug and Play.
As the judges deliberated, P&G Ventures hosted a conversation with serial entrepreneur Clarence Wooten.
Wooten is the only African-American to have founded and led two internet startups to acquisitions by publically traded companies. He is co-founding general partner at Revitalize, a venture studio focused on transforming the complexion of tech by building break-out software startups led by diverse teams.
All of the competition's finalists will be joining alumni from past Innovation Challenges in P&G Ventures' Alumni Group, noted P&G Ventures. This assembly of entrepreneurs will continue to receive training, support and resources from P&G Ventures, as well as the opportunity to network amongst some of the most promising CPG startups across a variety of sectors.
"These Innovation Challenges have become a key way for P&G Ventures to connect with early-stage brands, businesses and startups in the fast-moving consumer goods space," said Betancourt in a statement after the competition. "P&G is committed to improving the lives of our customers, and at P&G Ventures we partner with startups who share that mission. We congratulate NanoSpun for winning our latest challenge, and we applaud all the finalists on their efforts. We can't wait to see where you go with your innovations."
The Innovation Challenge is available to view here.