OREANDA-NEWS. As part of the ENGIE Innovation Week, the Group Innovation Trophies were awarded on June, 7th. This annual competition rewards employees who develop innovations and contribute to the transformation of the Group.

This 2016 edition recorded the highest level of contribution ever with 580 applications submitted by 2,500 employees from 62 countries. The Innovation Trophies have been the largest internal ENGIE event since 30 years aiming at rewarding innovative employees. A 20 member Grand Jury awarded 14 winners (seven Grand Prizes and seven Special Prizes) in six categories. The 15th Prize, the Employee Prize, was the subject of an internal poll in which 2,546 votes were cast.

Chairing the Innovation Trophies Ceremony, Isabelle Kocher, CEO of ENGIE, declared: “The energy revolution is about reinvention, be it in terms of technology, business models or client approach. ENGIE, as the forerunner of the future energy world, counts extensively on innovation. Innovation is everywhere, outside and inside the Group, as close to the field as possible, relying on our 155,000 colleagues’ talent and inventiveness. The success of the 2016 Innovation Trophies proves that innovation is at the core of ENGIE’s development: more than 580 projects in 62 countries! What a tremendous momentum!”

2016 specifics

The 30th edition of the Innovation Trophies has been unique in several respects. It was the most international selection that had been submitted so far to the Grand Jury, with 52 selected applications from 13 countries and territory (Algeria, Belgium, Brazil, France, Italy, Mexico, Norway, the Netherlands, Tahiti, Thailand, Turkey, UK, USA), and winners coming from six countries.

The Energy Transition has largely inspired the candidates and the projects submitted. To deal with it, candidates have relied on their creativity and mobilized tools such as data management and Internet of Things.

As further evidence of the Group’s desire to open to all innovative external ecosystems, the Grand Jury welcomed for the first time three external members (coming from the Michelin Group, the Paris & Co incubator and the University of Leuven), who brought a fresh perspective on the Group’s business.