Call for applications 7th edition of the Blue Ocean Awards: French and foreign companies invited to apply for this prestigious competition
The management of the Blue Ocean Awards, the French Embassy in South Africa, HEC Paris and Michelin announce the launch of the 7th edition of the Blue Ocean Awards. Launched in 2014, the Blue Ocean Awards offer three new products this year: the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes edition, the South African edition and the international Michelin “Mobility” prize. The winners will be revealed on May 11, 2021 during an exceptional simultaneous event in Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, Pretoria and immersive online. The Blue Ocean Awards are placed under the patronage of Mr. Bruno Le Maire, Minister of the Economy, Finance and Recovery.
The Blue Ocean Awards announce the launch of their new edition and invite companies to present their innovations creating new markets. The competition is aimed at any company regardless of its maturity.
The Blue Ocean Awards are inspired by the concept of Blue Ocean Strategy, resulting from the research work of W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne on innovation through value. In their global bestsellers Blue Ocean Strategy et Blue Ocean SHIFT, the two INSEAD professors deciphered how any company can free itself from its competitors (the Red Ocean) to create a new market (the Blue Ocean) by proposing a divergent offer inspired by the experience of “ non-customers” in its sector.
The winners of the Blue Ocean Awards are experiencing a strong acceleration. Over 7 years, 91% of Blue Ocean Awards winners were funded within 6 months. In the 3 years following their victory, their valuation is multiplied by 10 on average, up to more than 40 times.
Who will succeed Agorize, Veracash, Pandobac, Comerso, Finalcad, Wave Bumper, Leakmited, Toopi Organics, Tarmac Technologies rewarded during the last edition?
In 2021, four editions are organized simultaneously:
- In Paris, 7th national edition under the patronage of the Minister of the Economy, Finance and Recovery, with HEC Paris (academic framework), Michelin (which will award the prize dedicated to mobility), the INPI (National Institute of Industrial Property), Spinfi (corporate innovation expert) and B1Partners (organization transformation specialist)
- In Bordeaux, 2nd Nouvelle Aquitaine edition with the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, Bordeaux Technowest (support for entrepreneurial creation) and the INPI
- In Lyon, 1st Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes edition, with Michelin, HUB612, France Barter (the BtoB exchange network, 2 times finalist), the CJD Rhône-Alpes and the INPI
- In Pretoria, the 1st international edition with Mr. Aurélien Lechevallier, Ambassador of France to South Africa, who will host the event at the French Residence, alongside Veolia Africa and Middle East (a player in sustainable ecological transformation in Africa Australe) and in partnership with MEDEF International
To apply for the different editions, it's very simple: simply enter your website at: https://www.blue-ocean-awards.com/candidater before the 1ther Mar. Only condition: product or service already launched.
The special “Mobility” prize created and awarded by Michelin is open internationally, regardless of the maturity of the candidate companies. Michelin will pay particular attention to innovations linked to safer, more efficient and more environmentally friendly mobility, at the heart of the group's all-sustainable strategy.
The Pretoria jury will be held on May 11 with Aurélien Lechevallier, Ambassador of France to South Africa, the State of South Africa, City of Tshwane and Christophe Maquet, Director of the Africa & Middle East zone of Veolia.
The National, Michelin Mobility, Bordeaux and Lyon juries will be held in March 2021. The members of the jury all come from the innovation ecosystem of the Blue Ocean Awards, namely: investors, global experts and entrepreneurs whose companies are experiencing very successful today in their sector. Will notably be present, Olivier Bouhet (Director of Innovation in connected mobility services at Michelin), Inge Kerkloh-Devif (Senior Executive Director HEC Paris), Florence Richardson (President of Femmes Business Angels), Pauline Raud (Communications Manager of HUB612), Marianne Billon (President of the CJD Rhône-Alpes), Stéphane Madœuf (Professor HEC Paris), Alban Eral (Founder of the Blue Ocean Awards), Stéphane Alix (CEO of Spinfi), Vincent Richard (Managing Partner of B1Partners), Maximilien Nayardou (General Director of Finance Innovation), Bertrand Espitalier (Founder and CEO of EngageX), INPI, HEC Seed, Total, Dassault Systèmes, Cap Digital, Thecamp, Frenchtech, Handitech and numerous investors such as: Bpifrance, Serena Capital, Cap Horn Invest, Educapital, Lazard, Edmond de Rothschild, Aquiti gestion, BNP Paribas, BRED, Newfund, Kreaxi, Evolem.
The awards ceremony will take place on 11th May 2021 during an exceptional day simultaneously in Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon and Pretoria. The winners will be revealed during an event which will mix face-to-face and distance learning. This unique day will notably include: interactive interviews with the winners, networking spaces between all participants, masterclasses and testimonials from managers on the implementation of Blue Ocean Strategy, hackathon and virtual stands for rich immersion and sharing.
The French Embassy in South Africa is pleased to be able to support and host this very first international edition of the Blue Ocean Awards, a prestigious innovation competition initiated by INSEAD and HEC. This edition is fully in line with our desire to support the development of South Africa’s particularly dynamic innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem. It is also a fantastic opportunity to bring our respective ecosystems closer together.
Aurélien Lechevallier, Ambassador of France to South Africa
HEC Paris has supported the Blue Ocean Awards since their creation in 2014. Every year, we are happy to find our entrepreneurs highlighted for their ability to think outside the box and create new markets. I am thinking in particular of Agorize, Yogist, Advitam, Tarmac Technologies, Bird Office, Sillages Paris. We are continuing to develop our HEC Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center to support them. Furthermore, we are delighted that the Blue Ocean Awards are taking on a strong international dimension this year, with the launch of the first edition dedicated to South Africa, which is a logical part of the school's development on the continent. African.
Philippe Oster, Director of International Affairs at HEC Paris
Michelin is proud to be a partner of the 7th Blue Ocean Awards and to present the MICHELIN mobility prize. Connected mobility, through the data it generates, opens up an infinite field in terms of innovation in services, particularly through better knowledge of customers and uses. The Blue Ocean Awards are an opportunity for us to identify and support the most promising gems in this booming market.
Olivier Bouhet, Innovation Director of Connected Mobility Services at Michelin
Inpi is proud to once again be a partner of the Blue Ocean Awards. Our goal is to build the world of tomorrow with innovative, resilient companies armed with intellectual property rights allowing them to create value in new markets. It is with this ambition that Inpi works on a daily basis alongside entrepreneurs.
Pascal Faure, Director General of the INPI
HUB612 is proud to orchestrate the first edition of the Blue Ocean Awards in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in partnership with the CJD. This Prize highlights local startups and SMEs that create new markets through their innovative offers. Highlighting innovative companies is part of the HUB612’s DNA.
Pauline Raud, communications manager of HUB612
The best ideas are always the simplest! The blue ocean strategy allows companies to open new markets by innovating. Experimentation is one of the values of the CJD: we want to dare to be leaders differently. This first edition in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes of the Blue Ocean Awards is an opportunity for our members who are always curious to discover new ways of reinventing their businesses.
Marianne BILLON, President of the CJD Rhône-Alpes
France Barter has been participating in the Blue Ocean Awards since their beginnings in 2014, being a two-time finalist has taught us a lot in creating our Blue Ocean market to grow quickly. We currently have growth of 20% per month, since companies no longer have cash flow, but with production capacities and large stocks, they are turning to the barter economy.
Arthur Bard, CEO of France Barter
We are convinced that success or failure is rarely determined by the quality of the technology but rather by the quality of the offer from the project leaders. The platform offered by the Blue Ocean Awards is a fantastic opportunity to highlight the gems of today and tomorrow.
Stéphane Alix, CEO of Spinfi
Cas Steve Jobs pointed out “innovation is what distinguishes the leader from the followers” The blue ocean strategy method allows entrepreneurs to differentiate themselves by creating their own market, they then become leader of this new market. Digital allows the leader of a market to leave little room for followers. Innovation through differentiation is even more essential in building the world of tomorrow.
Vincent Richard, Managing Partner of B1Partners
By innovating through value, with the blue ocean strategy, startups and large groups prove their desire to change the world. It is to promote this commitment that EngageX was created and it is only natural that we are associated with this new edition of the Blue Ocean Awards.
Bertrand Espitalier, Founder and Chief Engagement Officer of EngageX
Press contacts
Bertrand Espitalier
Director of Communications for the Blue Ocean Awards
+336 61 78 12 52
About the Blue Ocean Awards
The Blue Ocean Awards were created in 2014 by Alban Eral, with HEC Paris and the Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Recovery. The Blue Ocean Awards are the only event in the world that rewards companies that have followed a so-called strategy. Blue Ocean Strategy which aims to create a new market away from the competition.
About Michelin
Michelin aims to improve the mobility of its customers, sustainably. Leader in the mobility sector, Michelin designs, manufactures and distributes the tires best suited to their needs and uses as well as services and solutions to improve transport efficiency. Michelin also offers offers that allow its customers to experience unique moments during their travels and journeys. Michelin also develops high-tech materials for many areas. Based in Clermont-Ferrand, Michelin is present in 170 countries, employs more than 127.000 people and operates 69 tire factories which together produced around 200 million tires in 2019. (www.michelin.com).
About HEC Paris
Specializing in the field of management research and teaching, HEC Paris offers a complete and unique range of training for tomorrow's decision-makers: the Grande Ecole program, Specialized Masters, MSc, Summer School, MBA , the Executive MBA, TRIUM Global Executive MBA, the Doctorate as well as a wide range of programs for executives and managers. Created in 1881 by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry, HEC Paris brings together 140 permanent professors, more than 4 students and 500 executives and managers in training each year.
About HUB612
HUB612 supports more than 50 Tech startups operating in the field of digital transformation (BtoB services), fintech and insuretech. Launched in May 2016 under the leadership of La Caisse d'Epargne Rhône Alpes, HUB612 deploys its support throughout France and hosts companies in Lyon (Part Dieu + H7).
HUB612 supports deeptech startups offering AI and Blockchain solutions.
Startups supported by HUB612 are eligible for ultra-seed funding through the HUB612 Participations vehicle.
About the CJD
The Center for Young Managers (CJD) is an independent and independent association which, since 1938, has brought together managers sharing a common vision of business. Created to rehabilitate the management function, the CJD today has more than 5 business leaders and senior executives in France who are training in the profession of “manager-entrepreneur”, keen to make their company both more human and more competitive. An independent movement in constant experimentation, the CJD believes that company performance should not be considered solely from its economic aspect, but must also be addressed from its social, societal and environmental aspects.
About France Barter
Faced with companies' lack of cash flow, the startup France Barter is democratizing the barter economy. A legal and secure cooperative B2B barter platform, France Barter allows companies to save cash by replacing purchases with exchanges of products or services. In a context of crisis which is greatly weakening the financial situation of companies, the startup based in Lyon and Paris has recorded an average increase of 20% in new business members every month since April.
About the INPI
Beyond its action of registration and issuance of titles (patents, trademarks, designs and models), the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) acts in favor of economic development through its actions to raise awareness and promote innovation and its challenges. The institute supports all innovators so that they transform their projects into concrete achievements, their innovations into value. A self-financed public establishment placed under the supervision of the ministry in charge of industrial property, the INPI also actively participates in the development and implementation of public policies in the field of intellectual property, support for innovation and to the competitiveness of businesses as well as the fight against counterfeiting. Depositary of all industrial property titles filed in France and data from the National Trade and Companies Register, the INPI distributes more than 53 million open, free and reusable data. The INPI is now the operator of the window for business formalities (creations, modifications, cessations). Finally, the INPI is responsible for the approval of artisanal and industrial geographical indications.
About Bordeaux Technowest
Specialist in the incubation and support of start-ups in the Bordeaux Metropolis, the Technopole currently supports nearly 70 start-ups, in innovation in the Aeronautics, Space, Defense, Eco-activities, Smart City, Building, Energy, Connected Commerce, Food Tech and Winetech. The support is based on local coaching within 8 Technopolitan sites, adapted to the maturity of each project, a network of 35 Large Group partners, proven open innovation methodologies and international gateways developed over time. many years. For more information go to: www.technowest.com.
About SPINFI
Spinfi is a player in digital transition and corporate innovation. Our objective is to accelerate programs, intrapreneurial projects and digital transformation through academia.
Spinfi Academy, to ensure an academic transition. “Learning by doing”: we combine training and project support to ensure our clients’ skills development.
Spinfi Execution, to support our clients in accelerating their initiatives (Marketing, data, business roadmap, etc.)
Spinfi Ecosystem, to build their ecosystem with our clients as part of their corporate innovation.
Visit www.spinfi.com
About B1Partners
B1 Partners is an entrepreneurial consulting player based on strong values such as trust, pragmatism and passion with a single goal to make a difference by working as a team with its clients.
The missions carried out are essentially on the subjects of transformation and innovation in all types of sectors of Tech, Media, Energy or Banking Insurance. With its eye on startups and scale-ups, B1 Partners often liaises with major account clients.
Visit www.b1partners.com to contact us.
About EngageX
Created in 2020 by Bertrand Espitalier, EngageX supports companies and organizations on all dimensions of engagement. The dual mission of EngageX is to promote the commitment of companies and engage their stakeholders.
For impactful start-ups, EngageX has developed a personalized support program combining proven experiences and methodologies to 1/ define their purpose, 2/ structure the storytelling of the founder and the company, 3/ establish their customer acquisition strategy, 4/ present their business plan, 5/ practice pitching.