JLR Innovation Challenge

Applications Closed

Let's crack the code of complexity, automate the unseen, and unleash the future of intelligent supply chains

About JLR

We are the proud creators. The curious minds. Inspired to create unique vehicles. We have been automotive industry pioneers for more than six decades. From then until now, we have been at the forefront of technical innovation in all areas of vehicle development. Our efforts have led to some of the most iconic vehicles to ever grace the road.

Our global ‘Reimagine’ strategy focuses on reimagining modern luxury with sustainability at its core, delivering unique customer experiences and making a positive societal impact. We aim to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions across our supply chain, products, and operations by 2039. Our vision is to be the proud creators of the most desirable, modern luxury brands, for the most discerning clients.

Read more on our Enterprise Strategy here:

Enterprise at JLR

Challenge Description

Our supply chains are vast, complex, interconnected, and span multiple tiers of suppliers across the globe. This network includes thousands of partners who provide the components and materials necessary to produce our vehicles.

Our supply chain is designed to be resilient and adaptable, capable of responding to various opportunities, challenges and disruptions. To continue building a resilient, sustainable, and transparent network, we need innovative solutions that can:

  1. Map multi-tier supply chains automatically

    revealing dependencies and hidden risks throughout multiple tiers of our supply chains and tracing parts back to raw material extraction.

  2. Dynamically respond to confirmed insights

    to respond to feedback, and continually monitor and reprioritise areas of risk as our collective understanding of the supply chain deepens.

  3. Harness real-time data

    to track materials, components, and disruptions as they happen, no matter where in the supply chain, ensuring we get the right parts to the right places at the right time.

  4. Leverage AI and advanced analytics

    for predictive insights and smarter decision-making, empowering our supply chain teams to focus on the issues that matter most.

  5. Ensure sustainability and compliance

    by verifying the origin and impact of every part we use, against an evolving geopolitical backdrop and taking into account the effects of climate change on supply networks.

Against risk topics such as forced labour prevention, deforestation, and sustainability, we are seeking partners using new data sources and techniques to help JLR continue to develop an industry leading supply chain mapping and transparency capability.

We are seeking new and innovative solutions that may include elements of the following areas:

  • Use of Big Data and AI to rapidly map our supply chains
  • Supplier interaction and data sovereignty to ensure that we can confirm our supply chains across multiple tiers while respecting data privacy concerns
  • Predictive analytics to help identify and prioritise risks in the supply chain

We believe global collaboration and collective creativity can solve the challenges of tomorrow and make sustainable modern luxury a reality. Through our Innovation Challenge, we are looking for ideas, concepts or innovations that can have a positive real-world impact on our supply chain as we drive towards a sustainability-rich modern luxury future.

If you are an innovator who can help us make this future a reality we want to hear from you.

”The future of supply chains is autonomous, intelligent and data driven. At JLR, we’re harnessing the power of AI, machine learning, and real-time analytics to unlock unprecedented visibility and resilience.

But we know the next breakthrough won’t happen alone – that’s why we are calling on innovators, start-ups, and tech pioneers. Join us in building the next generation of automated supply chains and redefine what is possible.”

Paulina Chmielarz

Industrial Operations Digital & Innovation Director

JLR

Who For?

JLR is seeking entrepreneurial innovators who are working towards a sustainable future within the mobility and automotive sector. This may include:

  1. Plant Regenerate

    Start-ups

    From pre-seed to scale ups provided there is a working prototype (e.g. alpha, MVP, demo, mock-up).

  2. Plant Regenerate

    Academia and Universities

    R&D and university teams working on automotive applicable solutions or research.

  3. Plant Regenerate

    SMEs and Collaborators

    Established SMEs that can contribute to JLR’s business units with existing or newly developed technologies and solutions.

What’s in it for you?

This is more than a competition – it’s a fast track to a partnership opportunity.

Successful solutions will be piloted within JLR’s supply chain ecosystem, with the potential for longer-term collaboration and future global scaling.

  1. • Access to JLR’s expertise and data

  2. • Mentorship from our innovation community

  3. • Exposure to our extensive supplier and technology network

  4. • The chance to drive real-world impact in the automotive industry

Timeline

For a more detailed overview of our challenge schedule, you can find our timeline below.

  • APRIL

    10th

    Project Launch

    Applications Open

  • JUNE

    5th

    Applications Close

    Review and shortlisting

  • JULY-AUGUST

     

    Selection and Evaluation

  • SEPTEMBER

    18th

    Pitch Day event

    Winners chosen

Success Stories

A proven track record of successful Startup-Corporate collaborations.

TRACEABILITY IN THE LEATHER SUPPLY CHAIN WITH CIRCULOR, BRIDGE OF WEIR AND UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM

This world-first trial digitally tracked the journey of raw materials from their origin right through to the finished vehicle, creating a ‘digital-twin’ for each material. The collaboration enabled JLR to verify sustainability credentials of its leather suppliers, ensuring ethical sourcing and measuring the carbon footprint of each step. This innovative project reflects JLR’s commitment to harnessing advanced technologies to build a more sustainable and accountable supply chain.

Douglas Johnson-Poensgen, CEO and founder of Circulor

“Our blockchain technology has already proved its worth in tracking materials, and we are excited to innovate further with JLR and its global supply chain. We believe the digitalisation of the supply chain is key to ensuring traceability between the multiple intermediaries that handle the material between its origin and the manufacturer.”

REIMAGING FARMING METALS WITH GENOMINES

Genomines, the winner of last year's JLR sustainability innovation challenge, has begun its proof of concept to revolutionise sustainable mineral sourcing through advanced biotechnology. By engineering plants capable of extracting essential minerals like nickel and cobalt from soil, Genomines offers a renewable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional mining practices. This partnership aligns with JLR’s commitment to sustainability and innovation, aiming to secure a responsible supply of critical materials for EV batteries while minimising ecological impact.

Fabien Koutchekian, Co-founder and CEO of Genomines

“We’re incredibly excited to start this project with JLR and showcase our innovative phytomining technology, which uses enhanced hyperaccumulator plants to sustainably extract nickel. As a world leader in luxury and electric vehicle manufacturing, JLR is deeply committed to leading the way in green mobility and sustainable resource use. Together, we’re pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in decarbonizing industries and powering the green transition.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about the Global Innovation Challenge and JLR here.

Who is JLR?
JLR is a British automotive company that specialises in the design, development, and manufacture of modern luxury vehicles across its four iconic brands: Range Rover, Defender, Discovery, Jaguar. It is headquartered in the UK and has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Motors since 2008.
What is the JLR Supply Chain Innovation Challenge?
The JLR Supply Chain Innovation Challenge is a JLR initiative to engage innovators, startups and other organisations in developing and collaborating on automated supply chain solutions for the automotive industry. The challenge aims to foster collaboration, drive creativity and accelerate development and implementation of solutions needed to further ensure regulatory compliance as well as manage risk across all of JLR’s supply chains. JLR are looking for a capability to quickly map and examine their supply chains, to identify areas of risk.
Who can apply?
The JLR Supply Chain Innovation Challenge is open to all innovators whether that be startups, established companies or research groups (including universities/academia) worldwide.
My business/technology has not launched and is still in the theoretical stage, can I still participate in a challenge?
The goal of this challenge is to find ways to collaborate and for this we require either a proven market concept or a working prototype. Our submission guidelines stipulate that:
  • Solutions should be scalable, feasible and applicable to the automotive industry.
  • Proposals must demonstrate a clear understanding of supply chain challenges and opportunities within the automotive sector.
  • Submissions should include a description of the innovation, its potential impact and any relevant supporting data or research.
How can I apply?
To participate in the JLR Supply Chain Innovation Challenge, submit an application on this site. All applications will be reviewed by our jury of experts from across JLR’s business units. Throughout the process we will be in touch to let you know of the outcomes and potential next steps.
Can I apply with multiple solutions?
Yes, you can. If you have multiple solutions that meet the criteria, please submit them individually.
When is the deadline for the application?
The application window closes on 5th June 2025 at 23:59 GMT
Who will judge the application?
The applications will be judged by a team of expert evaluators from JLR’s business units. They will score all applications; among them are technical and domain experts in addition to partnership and investment professionals.
What’s in this for me/my business?

Successful applicants may receive a paid proof of concept based on an agreed scope and business case. Solutions may be piloted within JLR’s supply chain ecosystem, with the potential for longer-term partnership and future global scaling.

Due to the broad scope of this innovation challenge, more than one competition winner is possible. In this scenario we would be inviting collaboration with all winners and JLR together (where feasible).

Are the finalists guaranteed a collaboration or investment by JLR?
No, the finalists are not guaranteed a pilot, investment or financial support by JLR. While we hope to discover new co-creation and investment opportunities, we cannot guarantee this for all finalists.
What kind of solutions are you looking for?

We are looking for any innovations that will help revolutionise our supply chain capabilities, these could be but are not limited to solutions that:

  • Map multi-tier supply chains automatically revealing dependencies and hidden risks.
  • Harness real-time data to track materials, components, and disruptions as they happen.
  • Leverage AI and advanced analytics for predictive insights and smarter decision-making.
  • Ensure sustainability and compliance by verifying the origin and impact of every part we use.
Who is InMotion Ventures?
InMotion Ventures is the investment arm of JLR. The team invests globally, from Seed to Series A, in climate, industrial and enterprise technologies that are critical to the strategic transformation of JLR.
How is my intellectual property (IP) protected during the challenge?
Any ideas, inventions, or materials you share that existed before the challenge (your “background IP”) remain 100% yours. In conjunction to this:
  • We will not claim ownership of your IP.
  • We will only use your submission for the purposes you agree to in writing.
  • Your submission will be treated with respect—it won’t be changed, distorted, or used inappropriately.
  • If we want to use your ideas beyond this challenge, we will seek prior written consent and agree on fair compensation with you first.
Will my submission be kept confidential?
Until a formal collaboration (Proof of Concept or Pilot) agreement is in place, there are no express confidentiality obligations governing the information you share as part of this innovation challenge. With this in mind:
  • Don’t share your most sensitive or confidential details in your initial submission.
  • Stick to high-level overviews or non-confidential summaries.
  • If needed, you can request a mutual NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) before sharing more detailed information.
  • If you’re selected for a collaboration, a separate agreement will include strong confidentiality protections for anything shared during the collaboration.
What happens if I’m selected for a formal collaboration?
You’ll be invited to negotiate a separate collaboration agreement. This agreement will cover:
  • IP Ownership: You still own your technology. JLR gets only the rights needed to test or validate your solution, as agreed.
  • Compensation: Any fees or success-based payments will be agreed in advance.
  • Confidentiality: All shared information will be protected under a mutual NDA.
  • Participation is completely voluntary—you can accept, reject, or negotiate the terms.

Behind The Scenes

JLR x Plug and Play Logo

JLR

JLR’s Reimagine strategy aims to deliver a sustainability-rich vision of modern luxury by design.

We are transforming our business, aiming for carbon net zero across our supply chain, products, and operations by 2039. Electrification is central to this strategy and before the end of the decade our Range Rover, Discovery, Defender collections will each have a pure electric model, while Jaguar will be entirely electric.

At heart we are a British company, with two design and engineering sites, three vehicle manufacturing facilities, an engine manufacturing centre, and a battery assembly centre in the UK. We also have vehicle plants in China, Brazil, India, Austria, and Slovakia, as well as seven technology hubs across the globe.

JLR is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Motors Limited, part of Tata Sons.

JLR x Plug and Play Logo
JLR x Plug and Play Logo

Plug and Play

Plug and Play is the leading innovation platform, connecting startups, corporations, venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we’re present in 50+ locations across five continents. We offer corporate innovation programs and help our corporate partners in every stage of their innovation journey, from education to execution. We also organise startup acceleration programs and have built an in-house VC to drive innovation across multiple industries where we’ve invested in hundreds of successful companies including Dropbox, Guardant Health, Honey, Lending Club, N26, PayPal, and Rappi.

JLR x Plug and Play Logo

Get in touch

For more information on the Global Innovation Challenge reach out to us on social media or via E-mail.

On Social Media

Follow us on social media channels: