Innovathon 2024: A unique event driving Client-Centric Innovation
The Innovathon 2024 embodies GEMS’ commitment to client-centric innovation, fostering bold solutions that address decarbonization challenges and drive the energy transition forward
- Article
- 02/12/2024
On October 16-17, ENGIE Global Energy Market & Sales (GEMS) hosted the Innovathon 2024 in Paris, a groundbreaking hackathon-style event dedicated to tackling pressing decarbonization challenges faced by our clients.
This unique initiative within ENGIE brought together 10 clients from diverse sectors (pharmaceutical & chemical, building industry, retail, telecom & more) and over 60 GEMS and ENGIE experts, creating a dynamic environment of co-creation and collaboration.
A Client-Centric Approach to Innovation
The Innovathon 2024 was designed with a clear goal: understand our clients’ pain points, and co-develop tailored solutions that address their decarbonization challenges. This commitment to a client-centric approach was evident throughout the event, from the in-depth interviews conducted ahead of time to the final pitches presented to both clients and a panel of ENGIE and GEMS leaders, including Biljana Kaitovic, ENGIE Executive Vice President in charge of IT and Digital, and Olivier Sala, ENGIE Group Vice President Research & Innovation.
Participants worked intensively over two days, on three major themes: Green Power & 24/7, Biomethane, and Carbon Footprint & Circularity, in cross-functional teams, leveraging their expertise and creativity to design 9 innovative solutions. The format encouraged open collaboration, iterative feedback and bold thinking, resulting in ideas that align with both ENGIE’s activities and the specific needs of our clients.
Among the solutions developed during the Innovathon, two projects stood out and were recognized for their impact and originality:
• Client Value Award: A solution designed to empower clients to make informed biomethane procurement choices.
• Innovation Award & Business Impact Award: An innovative project allowing clients to showcase their circularity efforts in the economy through the generation of certificates.
A Collaborative Effort Across ENGIE
This event exemplifies GEMS’ commitment to listening to clients and delivering solutions that address their unique needs while accelerating the energy transition. As Olivier Sala remarked during the event:
“The Innovathon by GEMS is exceptional in many ways. Starting from our customers’ unmet needs, concerns, and the issues that keep them awake is extremely powerful. Without fully understanding the problem, we can’t deliver real solutions.”
The Innovathon 2024 also reflects the collaborative spirit within ENGIE, breaking silos and bringing together colleagues from across geographies and disciplines to foster innovation and strengthen client partnerships.
Innovating for a Sustainable Future
This initiative is a testament to GEMS and ENGIE’s shared ambition to remain at the forefront of the energy transition. By co-creating with clients, GEMS continues to develop innovative and actionable solutions that empower our clients to achieve their strategic goals.
Together, we’re reimagining collaboration and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible for a sustainable future. Follow us on LinkedIn to learn more about innovation and our client-centric approach at ENGIE Global Energy Market & Sales!