Alexandra Boelrijk

Having served in multiple international senior leadership roles, Alexandra is passionate about driving the full innovation chain from concept design to product delivery. She has extensive experience in science-based concept ideation, product development, clinical evidence generation, market introduction and digital service activation. Her long-term conviction is that tailored food supplements can support the health of vulnerable people and therefore she has spent most of her professional career in the category of specialized nutrition.

In her most recent roles, Alexandra led large and diverse international innovation teams for Danone Nutriciain the Netherlands and Singapore. In Singapore she has set up an incubator hub on digital health innovation for Danone Early Life Nutrition, engaging with multiple startups. Through these roles, she has developed a strong interest in driving innovation by connecting startups and their breakthrough concepts to larger companies with their upscaling facilities and operation & logistics capabilities. The aim is an acceleration of value creation for all. However, this is a complex interaction as startups and corporates are organized in different ways and are operating on different timescales. Her experience and network, which she is happy to share with young entrepreneurs in StartLife , may facilitate this interaction.

Skills and field of expertise

• Nutrition
• Food Science
• Research & Development
• Innovation Management

Offer

I like to share my experience and learnings on the interactions between startups and large corporations with you, with the ambition to accelerate innovation and together come to true breakthrough concepts.

Interest

I am passionate about nutrition concepts that are rooted in science and have a profound impact on people’s health and wellbeing.

Personal quote

“Food innovation is a key driver of good health.”