SMART MARINAS L to r: Isabelle Gerente, founder Greencity Organisation; Catherine de Roincé, president Terroïko, winner of the Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marine Awards; Audrey d’Alessandri, M3; José Marco Casellini, CEO M3; Séverine Baudic, managing director new energies and services SBM Offshore; Stéphane Paul, CEO H2X-Ecosystems, third winner; Marisa Drew, chief sustainability officer and global head sustainability strategy, advisory and finance Credit Suisse; Michel Buffat, head of aviation and yacht finance Credit Suisse; Aaron G Frenkel, international investor and philanthropist; and Christophe Degoumois, vice president international sales Bombardier. Via its international network, innovation specialist Blumorpho attracted contestants with innovative and digital technical solutions that could help make marinas more environmentally responsible. Blumorpho CEO Géraldine Gustin commented: “Marinas are like condensed micro-cities offering a variety of service and multiple constraints, be they related to energy, environment, or space and resources management. These characteristics make marinas an ecosystem that can pave the way to urban development that is more respectful of the environment, in line with and in harmony with the sea. Innovative solutions proposed by start-ups help reduce the carbon footprint of marinas, from construction to their day-to-day operation.” From over 100 applications, Blumorpho shortlisted 55 companies from 30 countries. The adventure continued with a Grand Oral of interviews conducted by a jury of experts, which comprised 32 industrialists, investors and representatives from companies who are a reference in their field. Led by Credit Suisse, Bombardier, SBM Offshore, Veolia, Bouygues Construction, Colas, Bosch, Suez, Holcim, PureTerra Ventures, BtoV, Circularity Capital, SNGLR, SMEG, Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Yacht Club de Monaco and NGE Connect, 160 online interviews were organised over a period of three weeks. During these orals, each start-up had a chance to defend and promote its project in the hope of winning an award. After a Consensus Meeting on 16th September, 15 were selected in the following categories: equipment, health, energy optimisation, waste treatment, biodiversity and security. Three best start-up prizes were awarded, and four special ‘Coup de Cœur’ prizes also given to Hospithome, Humint Consulting, Seaflex and Cyrias Technologies. “We are very proud to be recognised by this award here in Monaco. Monaco is where awareness of the need to protect the marine environment was born, which is our raison d’être at Greencity Organisation,” said a delighted Isabelle Gerente, founder of the start-up which won one of the three awards. “Personally, I feel it’s a great achievement,” said Stéphane Paul, CEO of H2X-Ecosystems, another winner. “It’s fantastic for the team. It’s a hi-tech project that fits into an ecosystem to review business models and bring on board products that provide more benefits for the environment.” Catherine de Roincé, president of Terroïko, which also won an award, commented: “It was a very inspiring day with many relevant talks that will help us stand back from our challenges and reflect (…) it’s a pleasure to receive an award from such a convinced and discerning audience, so I take this as a sign of a very genuine interest in our solutions.” The winners also have an opportunity to raise their profile even higher, by presenting their company and project at Monaco Ocean Week 2022, organised by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. José Marco Casellini, CEO of M3 (Monaco Marina Management) presented the awards. “Promoting young companies who are improving production methods and who through their projects are building the marinas of the future, like condensed Smart Cities, is the essence of this meeting’s philosophy,” he said. Geraldine Gustin noted that “this first edition brought together an ecosystem of players whose collaboration will make it possible to exploit innovative technologies at the service of sustainable development to achieve carbon neutrality and respect for biodiversity.” Bertrand Piccard, founder of the Solar Impulse Foundation, announced: “I am not surprised, yet again, to see Monaco’s pioneering spirit. It has proved very insightful to focus on marinas and yachts as there are so many solutions out there to make them more environmentally responsible. All participants have the opportunity to have an impact.” A second event will take place 25 th - 26 th September 2022. www.sustainablesmartmarina.com Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Award winners Credit Suisse Prize: Green City (France) Bombardier Prize: Terroiko (France) SBM Offshore Prize: H2X Ecosystems (France) Coup de Cœur Prize Monaco Marina Management: Hospithome (Switzerland) and Humint Consulting (Italy) Coup de Cœur Prize Credit Suisse: Seaflex (Sweden) Coup de Cœur Prize Teledyne: Cyrias (USA) www.marinaworld.com – November/December2021 55
