Nestlé began as a venture 150 years ago and it has been through innovation that it has managed to position itself as the leading nutrition, health and wellness company in Mexico, where it already has 90 years of history. “We believe in innovation because we see it in tangible results and in all our day-to-day operations,” said Eduardo García Pallares, Vice President of Sales at Nestlé México.
With the aim of supporting entrepreneurship and fostering a culture of transformation and innovation, Nestlé México presented the first innovation and startup accelerator in Mexico: B2B Xponentialwhich will seek to promote the digital transformation of businesses through an alliance with Endeavor and members of the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The B2B Xponential program is supported by four pillars:
- Expert advice. Access to a network of allies and mentors of the highest level
- Community. Entrepreneurs, creative minds and experts seeking to disrupt the status quo.
- Acceleration Program. Access to workshops, conferences and events.
- Funds to pilot selected solutions
Nestlé México and the innovation ecosystem
B2B Xponential is part of Nestlé’s innovation ecosystem called Allincreated in 2018 as a program of intrapreneurshipwhich has evolved by creating alliances with investment funds, business accelerators and incubators, government and academia, which contribute to having visibility of those ventures that can represent an opportunity for change in the industry.
The new one digital transformation accelerator it will enable connections between companies, innovative ideas and resources to scale solutions and businesses that write the future of traditional commerce in the country. “The great differentiator of B2B Xponencial is collaborative work”, explained García Pallares.
After assuring that innovation is part of Nestlé’s DNA, Fausto Costa, Executive President of Nestlé México reiterated, “we work to strengthen the culture of innovation and we open our doors to collaborate with entrepreneurial leaders and disruptive minds united by the same objective and social impact. These actions confirm our leadership in a changing environment and allow us to focus on building a strong ecosystem of innovation, digital transformation and collaboration, thanks to new ideas applicable to our business”.
First call B2B Xponential
With the first call for B2B Xponential, the aim is to solve four key challenges for the digital transformation of the traditional channel.
- Disruptive e-B2B Models. Find disruptive solutions to better serve customers using artificial intelligence, bots, data, analytics and technological innovations.
- Fintech integration. Provide access to credit and/or other financial inclusion solutions to foster business growth.
- Sustainability & Last Mile. Improve and optimize the logistics chain reducing the environmental impact.
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Seek to integrate DE&I programs into B2B operations
Mentors, entrepreneurs and B2B allies Xponential
Vincent Speranza, CEO Endeavor Mexico; Marlene Garayzar, co-founder of Stori; Ricardo Weder, founder & CEO Jüsto; Mariate Arnal, member of councils; José Antonio Fernández, General Manager Mexico Farmacias Yza; Karla Berman, angel investor and board member; Constantino Matouk, VP Global Bimbo Ventures; Evaristo Babé, co-founder & CEO Octopus; Helena Polyblank, co-founder & CEO Mendel; Leo Martellotto, president of JA Americas – Harvard Alumnus (PLDA); Antulio Nieto, founder of Nieto Comercial; Javier Mata, co-founder & CEO Yalo; Katha Tenorio, entrepreneur and creator of Social Content; Cristian Granados, researcher and professor at EGADE Business School; Raúl Bermeo, co-founder & CEO Nature’s Heart; Alejandro Sisniega, co-founder and head of Nuevos Negocios Jüsto; Diego Roel, founder & CEO Strap Technologies; Alejandro Suárez, CIO Sigma; Laura González, director of Open Innovation LATAM Essity; Hernán Fernández, founding partner of Angel Ventures; Camilo Kejner, founding partner of Angel Ventures.
Nestlé near you
The covid-19 pandemic impacted almost all aspects, but it also created new opportunities and challenged the creation of new business models. For Nestlé it was no exception.
Eduardo García Pallares, Vice President of Sales at Nestlé México, recalled that it was precisely in March 2020 when they were forced to promote the digital transformation of their route to market, which went from being done in a traditional way and person to person to making use of tools technologies ranging from phone calls, to the use of WhatsApp, Whatbots, Saas (software as a service) and last-mile efficiency, which allowed them to evolve quickly, test and grow.
After two and a half years, thanks to the Nestlé Close to You initiative, the company has a 100% digital and remote operation that makes use of artificial intelligence to satisfy 200,000 stores. “Today we have a model that has taught us that digital transformation is about collaboration and trial and error. With this model we can be very close to what the changarros want, we deliver in 24 hours and we can know how it is being delivered… We have Drive in and Pulpo, very solid ventures that have helped us reduce costs together”, he highlighted.
“This learning taught us that Nestlé alone cannot achieve what we wanted to do, we need business partners, entrepreneurship partners and leading people who make the impossible possible and that collaboration is what makes us achieve things, between clients and startups.”
Eduardo García Pallares, Vice President of Sales at Nestlé México.
Marisol Garcia Fuentes Editorial Director Emprende and Emprendedor.com. I am motivated by stories of tenacity and innovation.