12SUMMERS Signs Official Partnership with Jiangnan University to Explore a New Future for the Healthy Food Industry through Industry–Academia–Research Integration

On April 2, 2026, a university–industry collaboration focused on the future of the healthy food industry was officially launched at the School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University.

12SUMMERS joined hands with Jiangnan University, ranked No. 1 globally in food science, to formally sign a strategic cooperation agreement on the co-establishment of the “Nutrition, Health & Happiness Food Joint Laboratory.” At the same time, the inaugural 12SUMMERS Cup Product Innovation Competition was launched, marking a concrete step forward in industry–academia–research integration to jointly explore new possibilities for the future of the healthy food sector.

Representatives from 12SUMMERS and Jiangnan University

A Two-Way Convergence Between a Leading University and a National Brand

Jiangnan University, a pioneer in China’s food science discipline, has consistently ranked No. 1 nationally in the Ministry of Education’s subject evaluations and has held the top position in the ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects for seven consecutive years, making it one of the most prestigious academic institutions for food science researchers and professionals.

12SUMMERS, as a globally oriented brand specializing in healthy convenience foods, is committed to clean-label formulations and carefully selected premium global ingredients. It has pioneered a new era of easy access to nutritious ready-to-eat foods anytime, anywhere. The brand has also been a top-tier supplier for Sam’s Club for six consecutive years, and has received market recognition from Frost & Sullivan as the No.1 selling ready-to-eat bird’s nest congee in China for three consecutive years, demonstrating strong industry execution and market leadership.

This collaboration represents a true meeting of strengths between academic excellence and industry leadership.

During the signing ceremony, 12SUMMERS and Jiangnan University officially entered into an agreement to co-establish the “Nutrition, Health & Happiness Food Joint Laboratory,” jointly building a platform for the next generation of innovation in the healthy food industry. This partnership is expected to serve as a powerful engine for transforming cutting-edge food science into real-world applications and accelerating the incubation of innovative products in the healthy convenience food sector.

Signing Ceremony Between 12SUMMERS and Jiangnan University

At the same time, Jiangnan University awarded 12SUMMERS the plaques of “Board Member Unit of the School of Food Science, Jiangnan University” and “Member Unit of the Health Food Industry Innovation and Development Community,” marking a new stage of deeper collaboration between the two parties.

Looking ahead, 12SUMMERS will continue to contribute industry expertise, practical resources, and real-world applications to support the university’s academic development and talent cultivation. In return, Jiangnan University will leverage its world-class scientific research capabilities to provide strong academic support and technological backing for 12SUMMERS’ product innovation, technological advancement, and high-quality industrial growth—achieving mutual empowerment and shared success through close industry–academia collaboration.

Jiangnan University presented 12SUMMERS with the plaque of “Board Member Unit of the School of Food Science, Jiangnan University.”

Jiangnan University presented 12SUMMERS with the plaque of “Member Unit of the Health Food Industry Innovation and Development Community.”

Exchange Session Between Representatives of 12SUMMERS and Jiangnan University

Empowering Food Innovation Through Competition, Turning Youth Creativity into Real-World Impact

As an important extension of the university–industry partnership, the Inaugural “Healthy & Delicious ‘Summer in Jiangnan’ 12SUMMERS Cup Product Innovation Competition” was officially launched.

Serving as a bridge between academia and industry, the competition unlocks new possibilities for the future of healthy food innovation, providing a platform for young talent to bring their ideas out of the laboratory and into real-world industrial applications.

Launch Ceremony of the 12SUMMERS Cup Product Innovation Competition

At the launch ceremony of the 12SUMMERS Cup Product Innovation Competition, students actively engaged in discussions and interactions, and received gifts of 12SUMMERS’ new Grain Cups.

Associate Professor Guo Yahui, the competition organizer, presented a detailed introduction to the competition rules. Kico, Founder of 12SUMMERS, also shared insights into the brand’s R&D philosophy, emphasizing that food innovation must balance functionality, taste, and market demand, while maintaining a strict clean-label standard as the foundation for capturing industry opportunities.

To further encourage student innovation, Kico announced enhanced rewards on site. In addition to a cash prize of RMB 10,000 for the winning team, the champions will also be awarded an exclusive opportunity to visit the company’s traceable factories in Xiamen and Indonesia, as well as a dream trip to Bali.

Associate Professor Guo Yahui from Jiangnan University Delivers a Speech

Kico, Founder of 12SUMMERS, Delivers a Speech

In his remarks, a leader from Jiangnan University noted that the competition closely aligns with the evolving trends of the food industry toward healthier, more personalized, and more emotionally engaging products. He expressed his hope that students would leverage their academic strengths, embrace innovation, and integrate scientific rigor with humanistic care to design food products that are not only safe and healthy, but also warm, creative, and meaningful.

Ma Suwei, Deputy Party Secretary of the School of Food Science and Technology at Jiangnan University, Delivers a Speech

As healthy consumption becomes mainstream, food innovation is accelerating toward greater emphasis on nutrition, natural ingredients, and functional benefits. 12SUMMERS’ deeper exploration into functional food research and its strengthened industry–academia–research collaboration are strategic steps to gain a competitive edge in the future global health consumption market.

Driven by its vision of becoming a globally influential fast-moving consumer goods brand with social impact, 12SUMMERS is expected to ride this momentum of university–industry collaboration to move further and more steadily—showcasing the strength of China’s healthy food innovation to the world.