Overview



The Greencity Investment Forum (GIF) will take place on October 18, 2013 in Marne-la-Vallée, Paris. The event will unite  young innovative companies, operating in the green & smart city sector and in the phase of raising funds for their development, who will pitch their innovation, developments and needs to a jury consisting of business angels, venture capitalists, corporate investors and other industry experts.

Organized by Incubator Descartes and Europe Unlimited, this event convenes top entrepreneurs, investors and experts from Eco-Technology, Eco-Mobility, Eco-Construction and Eco-City sectors. The program has been designed to enable knowledge exchange and business collaboration as well as to build an innovation network throughout Europe within the clean technology sector. Its unique set-up allows business networking at the highest level, from high level panels and in-depth discussion groups to fast growing companies presentations and one2one meetings.

The event will draw young innovative companies from the following sub-sectors:

ECOTECHNOLOGIES

"Understanding of environments and sustainable exploitation of resources"

  • Urban environment quality Monitoring
  • Thin film solar cells
  • Decentralized and smart water services
  • Urban waste management
  • Energy management

 



ECOMOBILITY

"An efficient force for bringing people together and increasing accessibility"

  • Urban transportation systems
  • New mobility services
  • Services and vehicles for people with disabilities
  • Sustainable urban logistics
  • Urban transportation facilities


 
 

ECOCONSTRUCTION

"An efficient and structuredl built environment"

  • Construction of new energy-efficient buildings
  • Energy efficient renovation of existing buildings
  • Public works market





 

ECOCITY

"A dynamic and resilient city based on high-quality living, diversity, and harmony"

  • Guidance for sustainable cities
  • Urban services for persons and firms
  • Smart urban management
  • Nature in cities and associated market
 

 



In short, the event offers:

  • Partnering for entrepreneurs, investors and corporations
  • Highly-specialized, structured business presentations with direct feedback from active investors
  • Roundtable discussions on cutting edge topics with top European specialists
  • Networking time and space to make new contacts and follow-up existing ones

After the opening round table, where partnering opportunities will be discussed with experts, presenting companies will be invited to pitch their project in sub-sector thematic sessions: 8 minutes followed by 7 minutes questions & answers by an investors’ panel.

Presentations will be assessed according to their business potential, team experience, product/technology merit, competitive position, investment or partnering interest, project profile quality and presentation quality.

The Award Winners (Top 25%) will get the opportunity to take part in the European venture Contest and the European Venture Summit!

The participation to the GIF is free, but based on selection, for presenting companies from France and Europe. A GIF selection committee will choose a maximum of 30 young innovative companies from the online applicants to pitch at the forum.

Host
This action is co-financed by the Val Maubuée County, Ile-de-France the Region,Seine-et-Marne economic development agency,the European Union and CitéDescartes economic development agency.