INNOVATION AWARDS
HYDRO INNOVATION TROPHIES
What are the Hydro Innovation Trophies?
As part of the 11th edition of the Salon Business Hydro, to be held on 6 and 7 October at Grenoble Alpexpo, the organising body, the HYDRO21 Association, is holding its HYDRO INNOVATION AWARDS for the fourth year running. This competition recognises students, PhD students and post-doctoral researchers, businesses (micro-enterprises and SMEs), and start-ups for the best innovations in the hydropower sector and the best applications in the field.
The jury will comprise the official sponsor of the Innovation Awards, Caisse d’Epargne Rhône Alpes, the President of Hydro 21 and its General Delegate, the DIAMOND sponsors, and members of the Hydro 21 Executive Committee, namely : ARTELIA, CIC ORIO, CNR, EDF Hydro Alpes, EIFFAGE GENERAL ELECTRIC Vernova, HYDROCOP, as well as our partners: AGENCE GRENOBLE ALPES, AGENCE AUVERGNE RHONE ALPES ENTREPRISES, GRENOBLE ANGELS, CETIM, Grenoble INP – ENSE3, UGA, G2ELAB, GRENOBLE FONDATION INP and TENERRDIS, who will meet in September 2026 to select the four winners.
Why take part?
The winners will benefit from significant exposure:
- During the event on Tuesday 6 October 2026 (250 guests expected), they will be featured on stage
- On Hydro 21’s social media channels following the event
- On the website: www.businesshdyro.fr, where their logo will be displayed and their innovation showcased
Members of the jury
Our partners
Awards that give your projects a boost!
The Trophies are more than just an honour, they're real springboards for taking your projects further.
Students / PhD students
In addition to the Trophy, opportunities for visibility on HYDRO21’s social networks, on the web and in the press will be offered,
as well as a CHEQUE FOR €1,000 (inc. VAT)
to each of the winners of the STUDENT and DOCTORANT Trophies.
Start-ups / Businesses NEW
In addition to receiving a trophy, winners will be offered opportunities for visibility on HYDRO21’s social media channels, online and in the press :
SHOULDER-TO-SHOULDER AT THE INNOVATION HUB
Each shortlisted project will be showcased at the Innovation Hub, at the heart of the Salon Business Hydro, to gain visibility among all visitors and industry stakeholders.
An EXPERT PASS
Each shortlisted project will be showcased at the Innovation Hub, at the heart of the Salon Business Hydro, to gain visibility among all visitors and industry stakeholders :
• Human Resources – Artelia
• International Development – Artelia
• Technical Expertise – EDF
• Financing – Caisse d’Épargne Rhône-Alpes
• Seed-stage fundraising – Grenoble Angels
The PASS EXPERT is valid until 10 October 2027.
2025 STUDENT AWARD
2025 PhD/
POSTDOCTORAL AWARD
2025 BUSINESS AWARD
TROPHEE START-UP 2025
Registration procedure
*Automatic registration for start-ups in the Innovations Village
- Fill in the interactive form or fill in the PDF form (download below)
- Apply for the Trophy in your category*.
- Describe your innovation in 3 lines
- Present your innovation in a 5-slide document
Exemple : presentation / description / objectives / challenges
Send this document before 31June 2026 to the following address: commercial@businesshydro.fr
Please check your spam folder for the confirmation email regarding your form submission.
The winners will be invited to receive their awards at the Innovation Awards ceremony, which will take place on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 7 p.m. during the BUSINESS HYDRO trade show in GRENOBLE (Alpexpo).
The rules for the trophies are currently being drawn up and will be available shortly.
Form
"*" indicates required fields