Innovative Solutions for a Sustainable Future: Success Stories of Hiro Robotics and Finapp with the Iren Group
Hiro Robotics and Finapp, two pioneering startups in the field of innovative technologies, share how their collaboration with the Iren Group accelerated their journey to success. This article delves into their cutting-edge solutions, their experience with the Iren Startup Award: Call 4 Artificial Intelligence, and advice for companies looking to engage in open innovation projects.
Technology and Innovation in Service of the Circular Economy
Hiro Robotics specializes in automated disassembly of electronic waste to recover critical materials and minerals—a process that aligns perfectly with the Iren Group's mission to promote sustainability and the circular economy. Using artificial intelligence and robotics, Hiro Robotics is revolutionizing e-waste management, contributing to a more sustainable future.
"Collaborating with the Iren Group" - says Davide Labolani, CEO of Hiro Robotics - "has allowed us to turn innovative ideas into tangible solutions, accelerating our contribution to a truly circular economy in the electronic waste sector."
Meanwhile, Finapp has patented a technology based on CRNS probes that use cosmic rays to non-invasively measure water in soil and snow. This innovation enables pre-localization of water leaks, helping the Iren Group to target infrastructure repairs with precision, reduce maintenance costs, and improve efficiency.
"Thanks to Iren's open innovation initiatives, we have refined our technological solutions, gaining the opportunity to test and scale our water leak pre-localization services in Italy and beyond" - says Luca Stevanato, CEO of Finapp.
The Benefits of Collaborating with the Iren Group
The partnership with the Iren Group has been a significant growth driver for both startups. Hiro Robotics had the opportunity to test and enhance its technologies in real-world settings, expanding its scalability and improving the effectiveness of its recycling processes. Iren financed the initial proof of concept (PoC) based on technical milestones, which, once validated, allowed Hiro to propose a semi-automated flat-screen monitor disassembly line that Iren subsequently adopted. This collaboration enabled Hiro Robotics to enter a new market where it now operates as a leading innovative player in Italy.
Similarly, Iren's support allowed Finapp to develop increasingly targeted and efficient hardware, positioning the startup to tackle global challenges in water management and explore integrated IoT solutions for real-time monitoring aimed at reducing waste and optimizing resources. The long-term collaboration evolved from simple PoCs to a co-development partnership focused on water leak detection—a previously unexplored aspect of Finapp's technology. Today, Iren uses Finapp's solutions as an integral part of its operations in one of its key provinces.
The success of this collaboration also enabled Finapp to secure investments from Tech4Planet, a VC fund led by CDP with Iren as its sole industrial partner. This partnership exemplifies how corporate open innovation, venture capital, and venture client initiatives can support rapid growth for startups. Finapp leveraged its results with Iren to initiate commercial collaborations with other utilities and water networks.
Advice for Startups to Seize Opportunities with the Iren Startup Award
Hiro Robotics and Finapp offer valuable insights for startups aiming to participate in the Iren Startup Award: Call 4 Artificial Intelligence.
Davide Labolani, CEO of Hiro Robotics:
"The Iren Startup Award represents a unique opportunity to build strategic collaborations, accelerate digital transformation, and ensure rapid development of startup technologies. Our advice is to focus on measurable projects that can integrate into Iren's business processes and demonstrate tangible value."
Luca Stevanato, CEO of Finapp:
"The Iren Startup Award is an unparalleled opportunity to collaborate with a major industrial group. Propose innovative, scalable, and practical solutions that can address challenges in energy and environmental services."
By fostering innovation through initiatives like these, the Iren Group continues to drive progress towards a more sustainable future while empowering startups to achieve their full potential.