During the event, executives from 100 of the leading European energy companies, including EDF, Iberdrola, Gas Natural, GDF Suez and Tauron, met with 130 entrepreneurs from eight countries in order to share innovative ideas and new technologies in the sustainable energy industry.
“The KIC InnoEnergy Business Booster represents a unique occasion for both industry representatives and entrepreneurs to discover opportunities to improve their business and initiate transactions," said Diego Pavía, KIC InnoEnergy’s CEO. "A total of 130 entrepreneurs presented their new ideas and products to 150 industry attendees, including CEOs, managing directors and R+D directors, and had the chance to meet and share needs and expertise in a particular way."
“This initiative has been a great experience that further underlines that innovation is one of Europe’s industry competitive strengths,” Pavía said.
Highlights of the event included presentations by 10 keynote speakers from the energy industry, from successful start-ups and venture capitalists, who discussed the challenges of the energy market and the strategic role of innovation and entrepreneurship in sustainable energy.
For example, Gina Domanig, managing partner of Emerald Technology Ventures, discussed future trends in energy market investment, while Ankit A. Shukla, practice drector at Frost & Sullivan gave his views on the future of energy technologies.
Shukla's talk was particularly noteworthy for is focus on how the convergence of different technologies is creating new opportunities for collaboration.
During the event, the start-ups, supported by KIC InnoEnergy´s accelerator services across Europe, showcased their technologies at an exhibition and pitched the industry about their company.
“It is estimated that only 50 percent of European start-ups survive the first year, and reaching the first customer is the key for survival for 90 percent of the start-ups," said Elena Bou, KIC InnoEnergy´s Innovation Director.
" At KIC InnoEnergy we actively support the connection between industry and start-ups to help them in that process, with the Business Booster being a great example. By October, we have supported 70 new innovative companies in Europe, 30 of which are already selling in the market,” Bou said.
Diego Pavía has announced the "Business Booster" will continue in 2015 with an event to be held in Berlin.
For additional information:
