Co-funded by the
European Union
Capgemini becomes a shareholder of EIT InnoEnergy
Paris, France – 16 June 2020
Capgemini has become a shareholder in EIT InnoEnergy, Europe’s sustainable energy innovation engine. Their combined expertise will help to accelerate the commercialization of sustainable energy start-ups to help tackle climate change.
Headquartered in Paris, France, Capgemini operates in almost 50 countries, with 270,000 employees. Driven by the desire to be part of the climate change solution, Capgemini has become increasingly involved with EIT InnoEnergy over the past 2 years. After several successful collaborations including events and project initiatives, they have cemented their working relationship by making Capgemini an EIT InnoEnergy shareholder.
A civic responsibility to help address carbon emissions and support the energy transition
“Like us, Capgemini sees it as their civic responsibility to help address carbon emissions and support the energy transition. The investment, coupled with their expertise in digital technologies, will help us jointly deepen our contribution to solving this major societal problem, at a time when the climate crisis continues to intensify. Our coming together will help us to play our part in speeding up the transition to a low carbon future.”
Speaking on why they chose to invest in EIT InnoEnergy, Cyril Garcia, CEO of Capgemini Invent, the digital innovation, consulting and transformation brand of the Capgemini Group, and member of the Capgemini Group Executive Board, said:
Extending the circle of energy innovation across Europe through research, solutions, projects and talents
“Sustainability is at the core of everything we do at Capgemini. Capgemini invent notably launched an ambitious initiative called Invent for Society to turn this environmental sustainability priority into reality, for our clients and for ourselves.
This partnership initiated few months back, and now our investment in EIT InnoEnergy can be seen as part of our duty, as responsible organizations, to use our expertise and disruptive technologies to identify and create innovative solutions to fight against climate change. With Capgemini contributing as the leader in digital transformation, technology and engineering services, the shareholders base of EIT InnoEnergy is now representative of the entire ecosystem it aims to transform.
“With this new step, we look forward to extending the circle of energy innovation across Europe through research, solutions, projects and talents.”
Supporting small and large energy initiatives
One initiative that Capgemini and EIT InnoEnergy have already shared success in is that of French start-ups Alpinov X, Sylfen,Nawa Technologies and Arol Energy. While EIT InnoEnergy provides round the clock support, each start-up has also benefited from the specialist expertise of a Capgemini consultant on a short-term secondment. The secondment allowed each start-up to develop varying aspects of their business including market strategy, operational excellence and customer engagement.
EIT InnoEnergy has also gained support from Capgemini Invent to structure and support the activities of the EBA250 initiative in building a competitive European battery sector. The support includes identifying business opportunities, implementation of innovative projects along the value chain, and building industry expertise in minerals mining and recycling.
EIT InnoEnergy provides funding and expertise to help shorten start-ups’ time to market. In addition to direct involvement, EIT InnoEnergy runs a flagship competition – Global Call for Start-ups – where the very best innovations within the cleantech space can win a seat in one of the support programmes and even a cash prize to support their developments in sustainable energy fields such as renewable energy, mobility and smart cities.
EIT InnoEnergy supports more than 55 start-ups and innovations in France and a further 305 across Europe. The business has invested more than €500 million since it was founded in 2010.
