Orange Silicon Valley has launched the “Deep Tech for Decarbonization Challenge,” an opportunity for startups to connect with corporations and investors seeking climate solutions.
Details and the Challenge application can be viewed here. (opens in a new window)
The Decarbonization Challenge builds on Orange’s ambitious Net Zero Carbon by 2040 environmental strategy. Through this challenge, Orange Silicon Valley will accelerate the matchmaking process between startups, the Orange Group, and the broader ecosystem of corporations and investors.
Converging technologies like AI, IoT, and 5G are creating an opportunity to measure and control industrial carbon emissions for the first time using deep tech approaches. There is an urgent need to ensure these solutions are rapidly adopted at scale.
Launching in partnership with corporate partners Delfingen[i] and NVIDIA[ii], investor partners EDF[iii] and Clean Energy Ventures[iv], and collaborating partner Business France[v], the Challenge is seeking startup applicants and corporate/investor participants. Interested startups, corporations, or investors can apply to join here by April 7th, 2022.
Startups that apply will be evaluated based on their use of digital technologies and readiness for commercial engagement. They will also be evaluated on their decarbonization potential, as quantified by a tool developed by Clean Energy Ventures. Admitted startups will receive access to a series of pitch sessions with launch partners and participants, with additional follow-on opportunities for select startups to formally connect with relevant business units at Orange and partners.
By helping to build the innovation ecosystem for decarbonization, this Challenge complements Orange’s commitment to becoming Net Zero by 2040 for the three scopes described by the GHG Protocol. To achieve this target, the Group has for several years worked to reduce a majority of its CO2 emissions. This involves implementing a rigorous energy efficiency policy, increased use of renewable energy, and the deployment of circular economy programs. Most recently, the group launched Orange Nature, committing €50 million to create the carbon credits required to capture a significant part of the Group’s residual CO2 emissions.
At the launching of the Decarbonization Challenge, Elizabeth Tchoungui, Executive Director of CSR, Diversity and Philanthropy at Orange, stated: “Supporting digital innovation to tackle the climate crisis is a key element of the Group’s approach. We are convinced that collaboration with startups and with other corporations is critical to deliver impactful solutions for the environment.”
Gabriel Sidhom, CEO at Orange Silicon Valley, added: “We are thrilled to be launching the Decarbonization Challenge. With this effort, Orange Silicon Valley is targeting the emerging ClimateTech ecosystem and is supporting the Group’s Net Zero Carbon strategy.”
For questions, please contact:
Jaline Davidson, Orange Silicon Valley: jaline.davidson@orange.com
Arpan Soparkar, Orange Silicon Valley: arpan.soparkar@orange.com
About Orange Silicon Valley
Orange Silicon Valley is a subsidiary of Orange. For more than 20 years, Orange Silicon Valley has been providing strategic insights, connecting ecosystems and creating unique value by making US innovation and technology visible, accessible and actionable for Orange and Orange’s customers.
Orange Silicon Valley is headquartered in San Francisco with a regional office in New York.
About Orange
Orange is one of the world’s leading telecommunications carriers with a turnover of €42.3 billion in 2020 and 139,000 employees as at June 30, 2021, of whom 80,000 are in France. The Group has a total customer base of 263 million customers worldwide at Wednesday, June 30, 2021, including 218 million mobile customers and 22 million fixed broadband customers. The Group is present in 26 countries. Orange is also a leading provider of global IT and telecommunication services to multinational companies, under the brand Orange Business Services. In December 2019, the Group presented its new ‘Engage 2025’ strategic plan, which, guided by social and environmental accountability, aims to reinvent its operator model. While accelerating in growth areas and placing data and AI at the heart of its innovation model, the Group will be an attractive and responsible employer, adapted to emerging professions.
Orange is listed on Euronext Paris (symbol ORA) and on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol ORAN).
For more information on the internet and on your mobile: www.orange.com, www.siliconvalley.orange.com or to follow us on Twitter: @orangegrouppr, @orangesv
Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trademarks of Orange or Orange Brand Services Limited.
[i] DELFINGEN, a global automotive supplier and a leading manufacturer of on-board networks protection solutions and fluid transfer tubing.
[ii] NVIDIA, inventor of the GPU and a pioneer in accelerated computing and AI.
[iii] EDF’s goal is to maintain its position as the global, efficient, responsible electricity company that champions low-carbon growth.
[iv] Clean Energy Ventures invests in scalable early-stage climate tech startups and clean energy technologies addressing global climate change.
[v] Business France is responsible for fostering export growth by French businesses, facilitating international investment in France.