The leading brewer has asked UK enterprises to help defeat some of the world’s biggest environmental and societal concerns by participating in its 100+ Accelerator programme.
Through the global programme, the brewing group has called on start-ups for innovative ideas to help solve a range of global issues connected to AB InBev’s Sustainability and Smart Drinking Goals.
President of Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I Paula Lindenberg said: “I am proud of our 100+ Accelerator and the work it has done to drive progress and innovation across our full, integrated value chain – from the farms that supply our ingredients to make beer, to the packaging for our products and how they are consumed.”
100+ Accelerator requirements
Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I is interested in applicants to the 100+ Accelerator that address the following smart drinking challenges:
- Developing novel (eg, beyond BAC self-measurement) approaches to help consumers make smart drinking choices, manage their alcohol intake and avoid binge-drinking
- Novel mechanisms, approaches or technologies for advanced age-verification and prevention of underage purchase and consumption of alcohol, both in on-premises (eg, bars, restaurants) and off-premises (eg, retail stores) settings, as well as e-commerce
- Using new or existing technology to improve road safety, including impaired driving prevention, accident prevention, protecting road users and improving driving behaviour
- Leveraging digital or other tools to increase alcohol health literacy among consumers, including helping consumers access, understand, and use information to avoid harmful use of alcohol
- Tools or approaches for training bartenders and sellers on responsible alcoholic beverage service, including drink-driving prevention and binge-drinking prevention
- Exponential technologies that can help us deliver effective interventions, such as screening and brief intervention programmes (both regular and electronic), at scale to reach people in the general population
- Creative approaches to promoting and incentivising smart drinking during spectator events where alcohol is served (eg, sports, concerts, etc.)
Quickly scaled
She continued: “Beyond that, it creates the opportunity for start-ups to help effect real, societal change.”
The 100+ Accelerator programme, now running in its second year, seeks start-up businesses with innovative solutions that can be quickly scaled to make a significant impact on a specific challenge area.
Successful applicants will receive up to $100,000 (£77,000) investment as well as active mentorship training, programming, and pilot opportunities within the AB InBev network.
Lindenberg said this year marks a significant moment with the introduction of the ‘smart drinking’ category.
Smarter drinking choices
She added: “As a business, we have seen growth in the popularity of our no-and-low alcohol beers – highlighting that consumers are looking for moderation without compromising their social lives.”
The programme is open to businesses with solutions that address issues around smart drinking.
This includes drink-driving prevention, the need for advanced age verification in the purchase of alcohol and innovations that encourage consumers to make smarter drinking choices.
Lindenberg continued: “I encourage anyone who has an idea that could help bring an end to excessive drinking to enter – and I look forward to seeing what innovative start-ups across the UK come up with.”
