FUTURE POSITIVE CHALLENGE
A technology and engineering challenge for disruptors who have a desire to make a meaningful contribution to a positive future.
Sustainability is behind every design decision we make and it is one of our core business values. We’re looking for breakthrough, next-generation materials, components, and processes to accelerate the development of more sustainable products. Logitech is looking for partners who want to gain exposure to their ideas. Let’s collaborate and find ways to scale your innovation.
challenge details
Showcase your innovative, sustainability-focused solutions to engineering and process design challenges in consumer electronics.
Printed Circuits
We’re looking for new solutions that use lower-impact materials and energy-efficient processes in the design and production of circuit boards, which have traditionally taken a toll on the environment.
Batteries
Have an answer to safer, scalable, cost-effective electronics for high-capacity batteries and power management? We’re looking for solutions featuring alternative materials to lithium or cobalt and techniques for battery recycling.
Integrated Circuits
Do you have a way to reduce the environmental impact of Integrated Circuits (IC) throughout their lifecycle? Share how you are improving the wafer manufacturing process or improving on production yields.
Materials
Our goal is to minimize energy use and reduce environmental impact while maximizing supply chains. We want to hear from you if you have a material alternative that reduces weight, increases strength, reduces carbon footprint, and is bio-based/biodegradable or renewable.
Packaging
Share your packaging solutions that aim to protect products but minimize environmental impact. We’re looking for moldable materials, renewable and recyclable materials, and alternatives to foil printing.
Business Models
Business model innovation means reimagining how processes create value for all. Share your ideas for better structuring supply chains, or programs that encourage the circular economy or collaborative economy specific to the technology device industry.
MEET THE 2024 AWARD RECIPIENTS
Thank you to all of the applicants who submitted proposals to Logitech’s 2024 Future Positive Challenge. We are proud to feature 6 Award-Winning companies and 2 companies receiving Distinguished Recognition for their innovative solutions.
AWARD WINNERS
DISTINGUISHED RECOGNITION
2024 SELECTION JURY
This year’s expert panel of judges includes leaders in sustainability, manufacturing, and beyond
PRAKASH ARUNKUNDRUM
Chief Operating Officer, Logitech
ROBERT O'MAHONY
Head of Sustainability, Logitech
JEAN-MICHEL CHARDON
Head of Technology Innovation, Logitech
LAJLA AGANOVIC
Head of Venture Engagement, Logitech
TIFFANY BEERS
Head of Engineering for Materials, Sustainability and Gaming Audio, Logitech
ADAM SCHETTLE
Head of Design, Logitech
CAROLINE KENNEDY
Sustainability Director, Logitech
EDWARD KU
Sr. Manager, Discovery & Evolution, Sustainability, Logitech
KATHY LIU
Sr. Manager, Sustainability Engineering, Logitech
- Prakash Arunkundrum
- Robert O'Mahony
- Jean-Michel Chardon
- Lajla Aganovic
- Tiffany Beers
- Adam Schettle
- Caroline Kennedy
- Edward Ku
- Kathy Liu
JEAN BINAY
Corporate Sustainability, Swatch Group
CARL GRESSUM
EU Tech Collaboration & Investments, Samsung
LI LI
Investment Manager, BASF
MARC LEDUC
Investment Manager, BASF
ALEJANDRO DIAZ HORSTMANN
Investment Analyst, ETF Partners
MARTHA IVANOVAS
Head of Deal Flow and Portfolio Europe, Intel Ignite
SIMONE LAVIZZARI
Investment Director, Sony
- Jean Binay
- Carl Gressum
- Li Li
- Marc Leduc
- Alejandro Diaz Horstmann
- Martha Ivanovas
- Simone Lavizzari
TEAMING UP WITH PAST WINNERS
The 2023 Challenge Winners have been collaborating with Logitech on lower carbon impact and circular solutions. Logitech provides guidance, expertise, and brand support for the development of their solutions.
Elephantech Inc,
Nagoya, Japan
Big idea:
Elephantech’s recent innovation is a new sustainable manufacturing method for printed circuit boards called Pure Additive, which combines metal inkjet printing and copper plating. Whether it’s a device that silently monitors vitals or a smartphone with an endless stream of notifications, most devices contain a printed circuit board at the heart of their design.
Potential impact:
– Reduces the carbon impact of PCB manufacturing methods by 50+%, compared to traditional manufacturing
– Contributes to the circular economy by advancing the reusability of power devices at the end of their life
– Helps to overcome existing manufacturing issues
Highpower Technology Co. Ltd,
Shenzhen, China
Big idea:
Highpower Technology supplies rechargeable batteries. They are building a carbon model and recycled cobalt supply chain to recycle end-of-life cobalt and supply lithium-ion batteries with recycled cobalt.
Potential impact:
– Reduces waste and use of virgin materials
– Reduces the carbon impact of lithium-ion batteries
– Contributes to the circular economy
Ole Wolff Elektronik A/S,
Soroe, Denmark
Big idea:
Ole Wolff’s “Reduced Environmental Impact (REI) drivers” are a new range of headphone drives developed to reduce environmental impact through a series of sustainable initiatives without compromising acoustic performance.
Potential impact:
– Optimizes design to completely remove energy-intensive parts and reduce plastic usage
– Reduces usage of Neodymium by 30-40%, a rare earth element that is also very energy-intensive to mine
- Elephantech
- Highpower
- Ole Wolff
COLLABORATE WITH US IN 2025
The Future Positive Challenge is for disruptive companies, startups, and pioneering engineers who want to drive change in a multi-billion dollar industry. As a sustainability-minded partner looking to make an impact on the world, you understand that the consumer electronics industry needs to balance available resources with environmental impact.
Congratulations to the 2024 award recipients. Please subscribe below to receive updates about the 2025 Future Positive Challenge.
Timing
2025 Dates and Milestones
Dec 2024
Applications open
Submit your ideas.
Applications open
Submit your ideas.
May 2025
Pitch sessions
Round 1: Selected candidates will share their big idea with the selection committee.
Pitch sessions
Round 1: Selected candidates will share their big idea with the selection committee.
June 2025
Logi workshop sessions
Round 2: Twelve candidates (two from each category) will share with the committee in further detail under NDA.
Logi workshop sessions
Round 2: Twelve candidates (two from each category) will share with the committee in further detail under NDA.
July 2025
Results announced
Selection committee announces the winners.
Results announced
Selection committee announces the winners.
Selection Process and Ceremony
SELECTION PROCESS
All proposals will be reviewed by the selection jury and decisions will be made in two rounds.
ROUND 1
Pitch sessions will be scheduled for selected proposals, followed by a workshop with Logitech to deep-dive into the proposals for final selection.
ROUND 2
Following the workshop, select applicants will be identified for further in-depth exploration.
CEREMONY
An award ceremony will be held in celebration of the winners.
MEDIA USAGE
- By participating in the Challenge, you consent to the use of your personal data by Logitech for the purpose of the challenge and any post-challenge activities and/or publicity. You agree to take part in any publicity relating to the challenge as well as to the use of your names and photographs in any such publicity.
- You agree to participate and cooperate in all media and promotional activities relating to the Challenge, including but not limited to being interviewed, photographed or video recorded. You grant Logitech a no-fee, worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable, and non-exclusive license to use, reproduce, display and/or create derivative works of such footage and photographs in all media worldwide, including online social media without compensation and without prior inspection or approval.
- You agree to execute additional specific consents to such use if asked to do so.
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FAQS
How much does it cost to enter?
There is no cost for applicants to submit proposals.
What types of organizations can apply?
Registered organizations of all sizes and types are welcome to apply, including startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), innovative companies, and institutes of higher education (universities, research institutes). At this time we do not accept applications from individuals.
How do I know if my innovation or expertise is applicable?
Your proposal will be reviewed by Logitech and external experts. Selected solutions will be contacted by Logitech for further discussions.
What information do I need to include when applying for a challenge?
Proposals should include the following information: an abstract, insight into how your solution works, its mechanism, and if possible, supportive data.
Logitech’s sustainability priorities are focused on three key areas of impact: removing more carbon than we create, innovating for a circular world, and supporting thriving communities within a vibrant society. Your proposal should describe any considerations that have been made in the design, development, sourcing, manufacturing, or marketing of your idea. Consideration may include but is not limited to, carbon footprint modeling, life-cycle assessment, renewable energy use in production, energy efficiency improvement in production or in the product solution, water usage, and recycled or other lower carbon materials.
Can I apply to more than one challenge?
Yes. You may submit different ideas to multiple challenges. You may also submit different ideas to the same challenge.
What if I need an NDA?
During the application process, submissions should only include disclosable details. Please do NOT submit confidential information. If your proposal is accepted, Logitech will provide an NDA.
What about my intellectual property?
If your idea is patentable, you/your company should be responsible for a patent application to protect you/your company's intellectual property. Logitech is not responsible for any IP claims if the idea was submitted to Logitech without filing a patent.
I’m doing research at a University and have an idea or potential solution. Can I still apply?
Yes, but please note that you must either apply in the name of the University or first register a legal entity/company before applying to the challenge. We do not accept applications from individuals.
What are the selection criteria for each of the challenge categories?
Selection criteria are proposed by Logitech and an external jury. Considerations are given to technology, sustainability performance, feasibility, and potential further development of the proposal. For a detailed breakdown of each topic’s criteria, visit the Tech Tour page.
Legal
NOTICE FOR SUBMISSION
- Logitech will have no obligation to keep your submission confidential or proprietary, and shall not be liable for any use or disclosure of the submission.
- Logitech may use or redistribute the submissions and their contents for the purpose of the challenge, without any restriction or any compensation.
- There is no obligation for Logitech to review, keep, acknowledge, or return the submission or any related materials.
- Individuals are not allowed to participate. Only proposals from registered companies or institutes of higher education will be accepted in the Challenge.
- Proposals are submitted directly on the Tech Tour Europe SA submission page and subject to the Tech Tour Europe SA applicable terms and conditions.
- Logitech may in its sole discretion terminate, cancel, modify or suspend the Challenge or re-schedule the dates of the Challenge. Any such termination, modification, suspension, or re-schedule will not give rise to any claim by the participants.
- Logitech Privacy Policy
- Further information and inquiries, please email: futurepositive@logitech.com