Néolithe, Bibak, uMotion and Smart and Connective: the winners of the 5th call for projects Shake’up by Wavestone

The Wavestone startup incubator welcomes four startups committed to a more sustainable world

Based on the success of the last promotions which allowed the firm to welcome Yuka, Tolv (ex Phoenix Mobility), Isahit, Olvid, and even Hackuity, Shake'Up has just closed its 5^th call for projects.

For this year's edition, and in accordance with its commitment to responsible consulting, the firm wished to highlight the theme of Sustainability. Bibak, Néolithe, uMotion and Smart & Connective have all received a prize and are therefore joining the Shake'Up program, Wavestone's startup incubator.

A 2023 selection rich in talent

By the registration platform's closure on January 31, 2023, 40 startups had submitted an application corresponding to at least one of the following four categories: circularity of consumer goods, energy efficiency of buildings, responsible mobility and digital responsibility.

After an initial selection made by the Shake'Up team, 8 startups came to Wavestone's offices in La Défense on March 30th to pitch their project in front of a jury composed of a Wavestone expert, partners of the firm and journalists specialized in the startups market:

• Cédric BAECHER, Sustainability Partner at Wavestone
• Servane METZGER, Deputy Director of Public Affairs at France Digitale
• Wadie MAANINOU, Co-founder of TOLV
• Nina STIEF, CSR Project Manager and Executive Assistant at Carrefour
• Etienne PORTAIS, journalist and co-founder of Maddyness
• Charlie PERREAU, Head of the Startups department at Echos

At the end of the day, the jury gathered to determine the winners. "The startups that pitched are all promising and it was difficult to get everyone to agree," says Cédric Baecher, Wavestone partner and jury member. "But the soundness of our jury members allowed us to make a rich and balanced selection and we are happy to give a boost to these startups".

Bibak, Néolithe, uMotion and Smart & Connective: four projects solving the challenges of tomorrow

Among the winners, Néolithe distinguished itself by being Wavestone's Employee's Favorite as well as the Jury's Favorite. Thanks to its unique patented fossilization process, this startup transforms non-recyclable, non-inert and non-hazardous waste into mineral aggregates, i.e., stones, usable in the construction sector. By implementing this technology on an industrial scale, Néolithe is responding to the environmental emergency by creating a new way of treating non-recyclable waste, which is usually buried or incinerated.

Bibak, which specializes in the reuse of containers for events and collective and fast-food restaurants, now has some 200 clients, including Danone, Colas and Hermès. It has also worked with We Love Green, Roland-Garros and VivaTech. In its sights, the 2024 Olympic Games. Since January 1, 2009, the company has benefited from a favorable legislation (Agec law) and has just raised a second round of funding of nearly 6 million euros.

Founded in late 2022, uMotion is a French manufacturer of soft, low-carbon utilities specifically designed for last-mile logistics. The vehicle maximizes logistical carrying capacity and minimizes the ecological footprint thanks to a patented dual-propulsion technology that combines an intelligent pedal system and modular batteries. By offering the capacity of a van at the cost of a cargo bike, uMotion aims at calming the city by making soft mobility accessible to all professionals.

Also motivated by the climate emergency and convinced of the power of eco-actions, Smart & Connective, a startup based in the PACA region, aims to transform the technical management of buildings and revolutionize the very architecture of automation solutions to enable companies to make large-scale energy savings.

Shake'Up: a 360° contribution

As Eva Rosilio, Head of Shake'Up, reminds us, “Wavestone is aimed at startups with an already-defined business model wishing to be accompanied in their development thanks to the firm's triple expertise in business, technological and sustainable development". The four 2023 winners will also benefit from one year of business connections with Wavestone clients. They will be hosted in the firm's offices if necessary and will benefit from coaching on their global strategy (business model, value proposition, technological contribution, etc.). They will also be able to benefit from the entire international network of Wavestone's offices.

About Shake'Up

Launched in 2016, Shake'Up is a unique and tailor-made startup incubator, initiated by Wavestone. The ambition of this program is to develop a vision of the startup ecosystem that creates value for its clients, the startups themselves, and Wavestone's employees. Shake'Up today is made up of a community of nearly 45 startups, and 150 employees of the firm are invested in their development. Through Shake'up, Wavestone's ambition is to contribute to the development of young startups, while leaving them entirely independent. Thanks to free accommodation in the firm's offices, expert contribution adapted to their needs, sharing of its international network, and a real commercial acceleration by putting them in touch with customers, the startups benefit from real development prospects.

At the same time, the firm aims to bring more value to its clients through improved knowledge of the startup ecosystem but also by creating real hubs of exchange between these two worlds (events, meetings, etc.).

About Wavestone

In a world where knowing how to drive transformation is key to success, Wavestone's mission is to inform and guide large organizations in their most critical transformations, with the aim of a positive outcome for all stakeholders. This is anchored in the firm's DNA and embodied in our overarching values, known as “The Positive Way.”

Wavestone draws on 4,000 employees across Europe, Asia, and the United States, and is a leading global consultancy.

Wavestone is listed on Euronext Paris, is recognized as a Great Place to Work®, and ranked in Forbes's World Best Management Consulting Firms 2022 List.

Wavestone Mélodie LAUQUE press@wavestone.com *** Bibak www.bibak.fr yasmine.dahmane@bibak.fr *** Néolithe https://Néolithe.fr/ nicolas.cruaud@néolithe.com *** Smart & Connective https://smartandconnective.com/ mcrozet@smartandconnective.com  *** uMotion https://www.linkedin.com/company/umotion-mobility leon@umotion.tech

Wellcom PR Agency Chloé Bencivengo chloe.bencivengo@wellcom.fr Marie-Charlotte Fauquette Mariecharlotte.fauquette@wellcom.fr Bastien Depond Bastien.depond@wellcom.fr Tel.: + 33 1 46 34 60 60