Iren and ADEX: From the Innovation Award to a Concrete Project
Miguel Gillis, Vice President of Global Sales at ADEX, outlines the evolution of the Spanish company: from winning the Iren Startup Award 2025 to launching a concrete collaboration with the multiutility. This milestone was achieved thanks to the strategic support of the Circular Economy Lab (CE Lab) and a synergetic collaboration with the Iren Group’s technical team.
Already active in the Italian market, the tech company ADEX won the prestigious award as part of the open innovation program managed for Iren by the CE Lab (an initiative born from the partnership between Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center and Factory Plus). In this interview, Gillis retraces the key stages of this experience — from the initial application to the industrial synergies activated with the Group — and offers valuable advice for startups and innovative SMEs looking ahead to the 2026 edition of the Iren Startup Award, which focuses on Artificial Intelligence, automation, and robotics applied to physical processes.
The Application and the Experience
- What motivated you to apply for the Iren Startup Award, and—looking back at the entire journey—what were the most significant moments or aspects of the experience?
Our CEO at the time, José A. Martínez, was always on the lookout for new opportunities across Europe and the United States to showcase ADEX, test our technology, and participate in events focused on innovation and AI applied to industry.
When he discovered the Iren Startup Award, we immediately knew that the Iren Group would be the ideal partner. Although we are a Spanish company, we were already active in Italy, and Iren’s nature as a multiutility instantly caught our attention. Given that about 50% of our clients operate in the energy sector and use our optimization solutions, we were confident we could deliver valuable expertise, and equally, that Iren would find our technology compelling.
The journey was engaging right from the start: we highly appreciated both the selection process and the various online phases—two key steps that allowed us to get to know each other progressively and identify shared areas of interest to build upon for the future.
The Value of the Proposal
- ADEX was named the winner of the 2025 edition. Which elements of your solution do you believe were particularly relevant to Iren, and how did the program help you validate or strengthen it?
From the very beginning, the organizers supported us with great availability. The different selection phases allowed us to refine our pitch, helping us focus on the aspects most strategic for Iren.
Discussions initially started with the Marketing and Innovation teams and quickly gained momentum thanks to the involvement of senior figures with deep knowledge of combined cycle power plants and district heating. We realized right away that we were connecting with the right decision-makers inside the company.
What truly made the difference were ADEX's core strengths: our established experience in Italy, strong references in the sector, and the ability to demonstrate, with concrete examples, how optimizing critical processes can generate tangible economic benefits in energy production.
The Role of the Circular Economy Lab
- What role did the Circular Economy Lab play in guiding you through the program and facilitating engagement with the Iren Group’s management and Business Units?
The Circular Economy Lab played a crucial role, guiding us step-by-step throughout the entire process. Right from the start, the team clearly explained the program's structure and supported us through the initial online presentations, all the way to ADEX being selected among the eight finalists invited to Turin.
Despite the high number of people involved, the process was seamless and structured, never feeling complex or fragmented. Thanks to their deep understanding of the selection criteria, the Circular Economy Lab team answered all our questions accurately, while also showing great flexibility regarding our scheduling needs and overlap with other business activities.
The Collaboration with Iren
- How has the relationship with Iren evolved following the Iren Startup Award? Could you describe how the collaboration began, what activities were launched, and the value ADEX gained from engaging with a major multi-utility company?
After winning the Iren Startup Award, our collaboration with the Iren Group took off in a really positive way. The event in Turin was a key milestone: it allowed us to better understand the dynamics of a large organization, put faces to names, and establish direct contacts from day one.
Subsequently, we were supported by William Pesci (Innovation and Engineering), who led the entire project, managing both its technical and managerial aspects. Thanks to his support, we also came into direct contact with Silvio Negri, the head of the Turbigo power plant.
Although onboarding a new supplier is a process that takes time, the constant presence of William, Silvio, and the rest of the team made every step clear, structured, and manageable. Our first joint project consisted of an analysis phase right at the Turbigo plant: a limited but very intense initial assignment, which included a site visit and workshops with the team. The in-depth technical study yielded positive results, and today ADEX and the Iren Group are already working together to define the next steps.
Advice for New Applicants
- The 2026 edition focuses on AI, automation, and physical processes. What advice would you give to startups and innovative SMEs considering applying, and what message would you like to share with them?
Our advice, shared by the entire ADEX management team, is very simple: if you have a compelling proposal, apply. You have nothing to lose. In the previous edition, a wide variety of technologies took the stage, giving each company the opportunity to present itself and put its capabilities to the test.
The process is straightforward, the team is extremely helpful, and the potential opportunities are truly significant. Iren is genuinely interested in identifying the best solutions: that is why our message is not to hesitate, just apply, and make the absolute most of your proposal