THE Unilever Foundry, a global platform to connect innovative startups with Unilever’s portfolio of brands, will be launched in Singapore on Jan 15 this year, Unilever announced on Monday.

The new platform will provide opportunities for start-ups and entrepreneurs to work on global projects, access mentoring from marketing professionals and tap into a new source of funding from Unilever Ventures, its venture capital arm. The Singapore launch of The Unilever Foundry will see over 300 Unilever marketers and leaders from Asia’s startup community come together to witness live pitch presentations from local startup businesses, who will vie for a coveted spot in The Unilever Foundry.

With 400 brands in 190 countries, Unilever’s products are used by two billion customers each day. Its brand portfolio spans a wide range, including Ben & Jerry’s, Dove, Lipton and Rexona.