δesfa+ Innovation Center, DESFA's new initiative to support innovative projects in the energy sector, has completed its first Calls for Ideas. Two startups, Cognitiv+ and Irida Labs, have been selected to receive support & funding for the next phase of development of their projects, which is the Proof of Concept (PoC) stage. The ideas of the teams were presented at an event held on May 14th at the HUB Events and was attended by representatives from the broader innovation ecosystem and the press.
δesfa+ Innovation Center team evaluated a total of 20 proposals that were submitted to the call for ideas. The evaluation considered various factors, including the team's presentation, the potential benefits of the business idea, its alignment with DESFA's specific needs, and the technologies proposed for its implementation. Following two intensive days of pitching ideas and evaluating them, the δesfa+ Innovation Center team selected Cognitiv+ and Irida Labs, to support the Operator’s commitment to integrate innovative and sustainable solutions to the transition towards a green future.
The first of the two award-winning ideas, coming from Cognitiv+, is an innovative platform that empowers professionals to expedite document processing by up to 70%. Utilizing advanced natural language processing (NLP) technology and bespoke machine learning models, Cognitiv+'s platform enables faster information extraction compared to traditional automated document processing methods. For DESFA, Cognitiv+ devised two scenarios. The first scenario harnesses advanced artificial intelligence technologies to streamline the negotiation of the organization's contracts and agreements, while the second accelerates the search process for information within complex technical documents, facilitating the retrieval of essential content.
The second proposal came from Irida Labs, a high-tech software company specializing in Embedded Computer Vision. The company has developed the 'Vision AI Sensor for Smart Buildings', an innovative sensor that utilizes advanced artificial intelligence techniques to convert visual information from indoor and outdoor cameras into valuable metadata. For DESFA, the Irida Labs team outlined two scenarios. The first scenario involves monitoring compliance with safety protocols and the usage of Personal Protective Equipment by workers, thereby safeguarding their physical well-being. Simultaneously, the second scenario focuses on integrating the proposed solution into the new Building Management System (BMS) at the DESFA headquarters. The objective of this solution is to utilize sensors to capture real-time data on occupancy patterns, energy consumption, potential security threats, and environmental conditions within the building.
Maria Rita Galli, CEO of DESFA, stated: “New technologies are crucial for expediting the green transition. Innovative ideas are necessary to tackle industry challenges and to secure a cleaner energy tomorrow. Through the launch of the δesfa+ Innovation Center, DESFA strategically invests in innovation and explores the potential of modern technologies, bridging the gap to tomorrow's energy solutions. The successful conclusion of the first round for Calls for Ideas underscores DESFA's commitment to fostering innovation, bringing on board external perspective and backing novel business concepts. We welcome Cognitiv+ and Irida Labs to our team and we are looking forward to creating together a sustainable energy future."
δesfa+ Innovation Center is a new initiative aimed at serving as the focal point for the organization's engagement with startups, research centers, and universities. Its operation facilitates the swift identification of new technological advancements and their seamless integration into the organization's processes. Through this initiative, DESFA aims to enhance its infrastructure and overall expertise, fostering a culture of innovation within the organization and gaining access to external human talent.
