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Hello Tomorrow: in 2024, time is innovation!
Onwards to the future! Such was the premise of the Hello Tomorrow trade show, which was held in Paris on March 21 and 22, 2024. Safran was present at this event, which, each year, brings together Deep Tech* players from around the world. In addition to its role as sponsor of the “Aerospace” category of the Global Challenge, the Group showcased partner start-ups on its exhibition area and unveiled two new “Safran Explore” programs. Read on for a behind-the-scenes look at the event, in which “time” was the main theme!
Excitement, stimulation and competition: three words that sum up the atmosphere at CentQuatre-Paris on March 21 and 22. Nestled in the capital’s 19th arrondissement, this cultural space was transformed into a hub of technological innovation. Researchers, investors, entrepreneurs, incubators – nearly 3,000 participants attended the event, eager to explore the possibilities offered by disruptive technology.
In the midst of the bustling international crowds, and under the building’s immense glass roofs, the Safran stand was present for all to see.
A stand dedicated to Time
The theme at this year’s Hello Tomorrow trade show was “time”. And what better way to illustrate this theme than with the PNT** technologies showcased at the Safran stand? The Group took this opportunity to highlight the solutions developed by Safran Electronics & Defense.
The “time” for cooperation was also highlighted during the event: nine start-ups were present in the Group’s exhibition area for all attendees to see. Six of them – Avnos, Numalis, Vyoma, Cranfield Aerospace Solutions, Greenerwave and blackshark.ai. – are start-ups from the Safran Corporate Ventures investment portfolio, while the other three – LightON, SkyThread and Estuaire – stem from Safran Explore’s open innovation program launched in 2022.
Safran also made the most of this event to announce the launch of two new programs aimed at identifying promising start-ups: Safran Explore Canada and Safran Explore Flying Experience. The former will target Canadian start-ups, in partnership with the accelerator Centech Canada. The latter will focus on innovations linked to digital services and the circular economy of materials, and will be led by the accelerator Starburst.
Promoting intrapreneurship
Other Group start-ups also attended the event: Hapster, Cosense and PuRE. These teams emerged from Safran’s “We Love Intrapreneurs” program. Hapster – season 3’s winner of the We Love Intrapreneurs program – was launched on January 1 with its excubation.
“This marks the beginning of a new chapter! Thanks to Safran’s support and all the experience we’ve acquired through the We Love Intrapreneurs program, our excubation went very smoothly. It’s a privilege to be here with the Group at the Hello Tomorrow trade show. This is a valuable opportunity, allowing us to forge new partnerships and share ideas with other technology enthusiasts!”
“Hello Tomorrow is a great opportunity to access a global network of Deep Tech players. It’s thrilling to see that there’s genuine excitement around technology in all sectors! As our project is still in its early stages, being able to present our solution and network with other companies will help us grow faster.”
In addition, round-table discussions and a sequence of presentations were organized throughout the two days. The Group’s strategic goals were highlighted thanks to presentations by PuRE and Avnos on CO2 capture technologies, a keynote on PNT technologies, etc.
Presentations to the winners
On Friday afternoon, at 6 P.M, the Global Challenge jury delivered its verdict… Each year, this highlight of the show honors the most innovative and useful start-ups for the future of the technology industry and, more broadly, for society as a whole. A few hours earlier, the finalists were invited to make their pitches.
Following, ION-X was named the winner of the Safran-sponsored “Aerospace” category. This French company supplies electric propulsion solutions built on the patented electrospray*** technology for small satellites.
The Global Challenge’s Grand Prize was awarded to tozero. Its team has developed a groundbreaking process to recover critical materials from all types of lithium-ion batteries. They are able to take old batteries and reintroduce fresh, raw materials back into the supply chain.
See you next year for another edition even richer in innovation!
*Deep tech covers projects led by ambitious start-ups or research laboratories developing techniques or technologies considered to be highly innovative.
**PNT: Positioning / Navigation / Timing.
*** Method to disperse a liquid in the form of electrically charged droplets.
Hello Tomorrow: in 2024, time is innovation!
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