CW launches the ghd Sustainability Challenge
A subsidiary of one of the world's largest beauty companies, CW member ghd are leading the way in understanding the science of hair. ghd's Research & Development labs in Cambridge are unique in combining physicists, material scientists, product designers and hair specialists to focus solely on the terminal manipulation of hair. The facility allows for scientific testing on hair and the development of new products, as well as product performance testing.
The ghd Sustainability Challenge is a new initiative that is designed to inspire creative thinking around new potential ghd products and services that have minimal impact on the natural environment.
ghd is looking to decrease the environmental impact of building and using consumer devices. The challenge is: how do we decrease material and energy usage to make our products more efficient? We want to improve the energy management and efficiency of our devices, while creating less wastage - potentially through leveraging the circular economy. Could greater sustainability also introduce new business models for ghd, such as product as a service?
Dr Tim Moore, VP Smart Devices Coty
Consisting of only three "on-site" days (6 September, 13 September & 4 October), the challenge will unite the ghd R&D team with skilled start-ups for a focused workshop on this subject. If you have any of the below skills, we encourage you to get in touch via the form at the bottom of this page! This is a brilliant, light-touch way for ambitious businesses to demonstrate their expertise to a potential investor/customer. Apply if you have experience in:
- Device design
- Low-power electronics
- Sustainable manufacturing
- Materials
- Recycling
- Connected devices
- Wireless communications
- User experience
This is the second innovation initiative that CW has run with ghd. During the winter of 2018/19, we delivered the ghd Innovation Hive within which five start-ups collaborated with the R&D team to co-design a new concept for a connected hair styling device. More details are available here.