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In the global industrial arena, innovation has become the essential driver for sustainable growth and competitiveness. Eni has long understood the importance of investing in innovation not only through internal research and development, but also through open innovation initiatives and strategic partnerships. One of the most significant embodiments of this commitment is Joule: the Eni business school.
The Joule is the unit of measurement of energy and is the name that was chosen for the Eni business school in 2020. Joule focuses on supporting the growth of innovative and sustainable start-ups to create an entrepreneurial ecosystem in the zero-emission energy chain and spread the entrepreneurial culture inside and outside Eni.
Joule is an Open innovation function in the area of human capital. It generates impact on people by leveraging the development of new technologies. It promotes the adoption of a new model of expertise to identify entrepreneurial talents. It facilitates the generation of ideas and supports the growth of sustainable businesses.
Joule is part of the broader Eni strategy focused on promoting open innovation. This approach is based on the understanding that innovation cannot be confined within a single company, but must be the result of an open and dynamic collaboration with many different players, including start-ups, universities, research centres and other companies.
Open innovation is a philosophy that Eni espoused to accelerate technological progress and knowledge sharing. Eni is able, through partnerships and collaborations, to access a vast pool of external ideas and expertise, integrating them with its own resources to develop innovative solutions. Joule is one of the key initiatives in this context as it provides a learning and growth environment for young entrepreneurs and start-ups..
Eni has established a strong ecosystem of partnerships for industrial innovation. This network includes academic institutions, research centres, start-ups and other leading companies in their respective fields. These partnerships allow Eni to be at the forefront of scientific and technological research.
Some data about the Joule ecosystem
Joule start-ups as of 2023 (+10.2% compared to 2022)
subscribers to the Joule Open platform
hours of training provided
hubs in Italy
Joule start-ups as of 2023 (+10.2% compared to 2022)
subscribers to the Joule Open platform
hours of training provided
hubs in Italy
Joule provides wide-ranging and diverse training courses, aimed at covering all stages of entrepreneurial development, from inception, to growth, to business scalability. It rests on three pillars:
This is the very core of Joule: a path to enhance ideas and projects with the aim of creating synergies to achieve entrepreneurial goals by involving start-ups, Eni people and strategic partners.
This programme is designed to select and train prospective entrepreneurs and support companies in a shared-creation process through innovative and sustainable business ideas for energy transition, circular economy and decarbonisation. Trainees receive individualised support through mentoring, coaching and tailor-made training, addressing topics such as business model validation, product development, market access and fund raising.
The training platform that supports entrepreneurial growth. Members can enjoy many exclusive contents: Open Learning where they can develop insights with lecturers from leading business schools, Casa Joule with video interviews with experienced Eni trainers and, finally, Open Your Mindset: a collection of inspirational paths dedicated to the entrepreneurial mindset.
A new business accelerator model: the Joule programme that supports the growth of start-ups dedicated to decarbonisation, fighting climate change and developing the circular economy. Young entrepreneurs are supported in the implementation of sustainability performance metrics applicable to their business projects. The programme supports start-ups through consultations with specialists who are part of the Eni network. There is also a strong connection with the Joule Open platform, which supports the whole acceleration process. The goal is to create a regenerative ecosystem involving accelerators, corporate companies, research institutes and venture capital initiatives.
Joule is located inside the Ostiense Gazometer in Rome, an impressive example of industrial redevelopment. The Gazometer, originally built for gas storage, has been turned into a symbol of innovation and sustainability. This historic site, which once represented the traditional energy industry, now houses a state-of-the-art training centre dedicated to renewable energies and entrepreneurial growth. The selection of the Gazometro Ostiense as the location for Joule is no coincidence: it symbolises the fusion of past and future, of industrial heritage and the new frontier of sustainable energy. The redevelopment of this structure not only preserves an important piece of Italian industrial history, but also reinvents and turns it into a place of creativity, innovation and development, in line with the mission of Eni.
The Ostiense Gazometer also provides a dynamic and stimulating space for entrepreneurs and start-ups participating in the programmes of Joule. The spacious work areas, meeting rooms and event spaces are designed to promote collaboration and innovation. This unique environment allows participants to work in an setting that inspires creativity and out-of-the-box thinking, helping to strengthen their entrepreneurial journey. The redevelopment of the Ostiense Gazometer is an example of how Eni is investing in the future, not only through technological innovation, but also through the revitalisation and transformation of the existing industrial heritage.
Joule represents a concrete example of the commitment of Eni towards the promotion of sustainable innovation. Eni acknowledges the importance of training new business leaders, both inside and outside the company, capable of facing global challenges such as climate change and energy transition. Through Joule, the company contributes not only to economic growth and job creation, but also promotes more sustainable and responsible development.
In a world where innovation is the key to facing future challenges, initiatives like Joule are essential. The Eni business school stands out for its integrated approach to entrepreneurial education that combines training, practical support and access to a vast network of resources and expertise.
Joule is not just a school, but a catalyst for ideas and an driver for change. Through its commitment to open innovation and strategic partnerships, Eni proves to be at the centre of a dynamic and continuously evolving ecosystem, ready to lead the transition to a more sustainable and prosperous future.
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