2010-02-25 06:25:00 | 26th Cleantech Forum - Veolia Environnement launches the Veolia Innovation Accelerator program to boost innovation in ecotechnologies

2010-02-25 | 26th Cleantech Forum - Veolia Environnement launches the Veolia Innovation Accelerator program to boost innovation in ecotechnologies

Paris, February 25, 2010 —During the 26th edition of the Cleantech Forum which continues throughtomorrow in San Francisco, Veolia Environnement is launching the VeoliaInnovation Accelerator (VIA). 

“Our goal for the Veolia Innovation Accelerator program is tofacilitate exchanges, stimulate cooperation, and unite good ideasbetween start-up companies and corporate organizations with theappropriate resources, partners and outlets. Through VIA, we canaccelerate the development of start-up companies by minimizing the riskassociated with developing and deploying new technologies, to achievetomorrow’s collective successes”, said Philippe Martin, Director of Research and Innovation at Veolia Environnement. “Partnershipsare critical for addressing global environmental issues, so we aim tobe the strategic partner of choice for the world’s leading cleantechstart-ups and investors”.

How does VIA work ?

The VIA program is intended to become a global platform for rolling outthe best in ecotechnology. The main research areas supported by VIA arebio-resources, water and wastewater, waste sorting, recycling andrecovery, sustainable and green cities, energy generation andoptimization, transportation, health and environmental performance,carbon capture and storage, and energy storage.

The VIA program offers cleantech start-ups access to new markets andcustomers. It provides economies of scale, and mitigates the risksassociated with technology development, adoption and execution.

Its approach is three-pronged:
1. Detect : Systematicinternational monitoring to identify trends and track emergingtechnologies, through a network of  partnerships with universities,institutes and industries;
2. Create : Design, develop, enhance and integrate clean technologies if the market need cannot be met by existing solutions;
3. Adapt and Deploy: Optimization and integration of new technologies into Veolia’sbusiness proposals and processes, and field implementation support.

“Veolia has long been an advocate for innovation in water technology,”said Jeff Green, CEO of NanoH2O, Inc., which has partnered with Veoliato jointly explore key geographic areas for new and existing seawaterdesalination plants. “Working with Veolia, one of the leadingcompanies in the global desalination industry, will accelerate theadoption of NanoH2O’s nanocomposite reverse osmosis membranes worldwideto change the fundamental economics of desalination.”

Furthering open innovation and fostering opportunities

Veolia Environnement stands ready to invest its facilities, people,including its research resources and personnel, and customerrelationships in helping innovators succeed. Through VIA program, thecompany is exploring flexible partnership models such as technologyco-development, development of new markets and joint offerings.

“We see urbanization as one of the most important globaltrends with huge implications for water, power, transportation andwaste management. Veolia is uniquely positioned to address these needsaround the world, which is why several portfolio companies of ours havea unique opportunity to partner with Veolia,” said Ajit Nazre, partner of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, the Silicon Valley venture capital firm. “Welook forward to continuing our collaboration through the VeoliaInnovation Accelerator to maximize the potential of our portfoliocompanies.”

In the upstream development phase, Veolia offers its partnersinfrastructure, world-class technical evaluations and research testprograms to improve innovations and accelerate their time-to-market. Inan advanced phase of innovation, VIA partners can leverage Veolia’svast client portfolio and many facilities to validate the solutionmarketability.


Veolia Environnement (Paris Euronext: VIE andNYSE: VE) is the worldwide reference in environmental services. Withmore than 330,000 employees the company has operations all around theworld and provides tailored solutions to meet the needs of municipaland industrial customers in four complementary segments: watermanagement, waste management, energy management and freight andpassenger transportation. Veolia Environnement recorded revenue of€36,2 billion in 2008. www.veolia.com

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