The European start-up landscape

Smart Energy TV

8 Nov 201808:27

Summary

TLDRIn this European Utility Week interview, Sandra Routine, co-founder of boutique Energy Solutions, discusses the challenges and progress of startups in the energy sector. She highlights the conservative nature of the industry and the need for startups to innovate not just technologically but also in processes and mindset. While acknowledging the difficulty of changing regulations, she advises startups to build their business models on current regulations and adapt to the evolving market dynamics. Routine also touches on the cultural shifts in the energy industry, with utilities becoming more open to innovation and startups driving a change in work culture, emphasizing work-life balance and international collaboration.

Takeaways

💡 Startups in the energy sector face challenges due to the conservative nature of the industry, which relies on heavy infrastructure.
🚀 More startups are entering the energy space, offering not just technology but also innovative services for the future of energy.
⚖️ Regulation in the EU presents challenges for startups, as it is slow to change and is built on existing market structures and technologies.
⏳ Startups should not base their business models on the assumption that regulation will change quickly; instead, they should adapt to the current regulatory environment.
💼 Despite regulatory challenges, startups are making significant progress in the energy sector by finding ways to navigate these obstacles.
🏢 Utilities have become more open to innovation, recognizing the need to adapt to the increasing pace of change in the industry.
🌍 The culture within the energy sector is shifting, with utilities adopting startup accelerators and venture arms to foster innovation.
🤝 Startups are often founded by young people and operate with modern communication methods and diverse, international teams.
🏠 Work-life balance is becoming increasingly important for newer generations, leading to healthier work environments and long-term benefits for companies.
👥 The evolution in the way people work is beneficial for both employees and companies, as it helps reduce burnout and promotes better health and well-being.

Q & A

What is the main topic of discussion in the interview?
-The main topic of the interview is the role of startups in the European energy space and how they are navigating the regulatory environment and market challenges.
How does Sandra describe the energy industry's approach to innovation?
-Sandra describes the energy industry as conservative and infrastructure-heavy, which makes it challenging for startups to introduce new innovations that require changing processes and mindsets.
What advice does Sandra give to startups regarding the regulatory environment in Europe?
-Sandra advises startups not to build their business models on the assumption that regulations will change in the near future, as regulation changes can take years. Instead, startups should operate within the current regulatory framework and adapt accordingly.
How have utilities' attitudes towards innovation changed over the past few years?
-Utilities have become more open to innovation, moving away from the 'do-it-yourself' mentality to seeking external collaborations and recognizing the value that startups can bring to the industry.
What cultural changes are happening within utilities and startups according to Sandra?
-Cultural changes include a shift towards more international and diverse teams, increased use of technology for communication, and a growing emphasis on work-life balance.
What is Sandra's view on the importance of work-life balance for startups and utilities?
-Sandra sees work-life balance as increasingly important, noting that it benefits individual health and the company environment by reducing burnout and promoting self-care among employees.
How does Sandra perceive the role of startups in challenging existing market structures and technologies?
-Sandra acknowledges that startups introducing new technologies can clash with existing market structures and regulations, creating difficulties but also opportunities for innovation.
What does Sandra suggest as a strategy for startups to deal with the regulatory challenges?
-Sandra suggests that startups should deal with regulatory challenges by focusing on the current regulations and finding ways to innovate within that framework, rather than waiting for regulatory changes.
How does Sandra describe the pace of change in the energy industry?
-Sandra describes the pace of change in the energy industry as increasing, which even large utilities with abundant resources struggle to keep up with, necessitating a more open approach to external innovation.
What is the impact of younger generations on the startup culture according to the interview?
-The impact of younger generations on startup culture includes a preference for technology-based communication, a more international team dynamic, and a stronger focus on work-life balance.
How does Sandra view the role of traditional utilities in the face of technological advancements and market changes?
-Sandra views traditional utilities as needing to adapt to the rapid pace of change by becoming more open to innovation, collaboration, and embracing new ways of working that startups often exemplify.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 Startups in the Energy Sector

In this segment, Sandra Routine, co-founder and head of business development and marketing at boutique Energy Solutions, discusses the challenges and opportunities for startups in the energy sector. She highlights that while the industry is conservative and infrastructure-heavy, there is a growing trend of startups bringing innovation, both in technology and services. Sandra emphasizes the importance of startups not relying on the expectation of regulatory changes for their business models but instead adapting to the current regulations and being aware of potential future shifts.

05:00

🛠 Regulatory Challenges and Utility Innovation

This paragraph delves into the regulatory environment's impact on startups in the energy sector. Sandra explains that existing regulations are often a barrier to new technologies and market structures, advising startups to navigate the current regulatory landscape without assuming imminent changes. She also touches on the cultural shift within utilities towards openness to innovation, as they move from a self-reliant model to one that embraces external contributions. The discussion underscores the importance of adaptability and the recognition that change is a gradual process.

🌐 Cultural Shifts in the Energy Industry

In the final paragraph, the conversation shifts to the cultural changes within the energy industry, particularly focusing on how utilities and startups are adapting to new ways of working. Sandra notes the rise of technology-driven communication, the internationalization of teams, and the increasing importance of work-life balance. She points out that these changes are beneficial for both individual well-being and the company's long-term interests, as they help prevent burnout and promote a healthier work environment.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡European Utility Week

European Utility Week is an industry event focused on the energy and utility sectors. It serves as a platform for discussions, networking, and exploring innovations within the industry. In the script, it is the setting where the interview with Sandra Routine takes place, indicating the context of the conversation is deeply rooted in the European energy market and its challenges and opportunities.

💡Startups

Startups refer to new and often small businesses that are in the initial stages of development. In the context of the video, startups are entering the energy space, bringing innovations and new ideas to an otherwise conservative industry. The script discusses the challenges they face, such as the need to change established processes and mindsets, as well as the regulatory environment that affects their operations.

💡Energy Space

The term 'energy space' is used to describe the sector of the economy that deals with the production, distribution, and management of energy resources. The script highlights the increasing presence of startups in this space, emphasizing the importance of innovation and the challenges of operating within a traditionally conservative industry.

💡Innovation

Innovation refers to the introduction of new methods, ideas, or products. The script discusses how startups are bringing innovation to the energy sector, not just in terms of technology but also in services, which is crucial for shaping the future of energy.

💡Regulation

Regulation in this context refers to the rules and directives set by governing bodies that companies must adhere to. The script points out that regulation can be a challenge for startups in the energy sector, as it is often slow to change and may not accommodate new technologies or business models.

💡Business Model

A business model describes the rationale of how a company creates, delivers, and captures value. The script advises startups not to base their business models on the expectation that regulations will change in the future, but rather to work within the current regulatory framework.

💡Mindset

Mindset refers to the established set of attitudes held by an individual or group. The script mentions the need for startups to change not only technology but also the mindset of people within the energy industry, indicating the cultural shift required for innovation to be embraced.

💡Utilities

Utilities are companies that provide basic services such as electricity, water, or gas. The script discusses how utilities have become more open to innovation and collaboration with startups, moving away from a 'do-it-yourself' mentality to one that embraces external ideas and partnerships.

💡Accelerators

An accelerator is a program designed to support the growth and development of startups through mentorship, funding, and resources. The script mentions that traditional utilities are now establishing their own startup accelerators, indicating a shift towards fostering innovation within the industry.

💡Cultural Shift

Cultural shift refers to a significant change in the beliefs, behaviors, and attitudes of a group or society. The script discusses how the energy sector is experiencing a cultural shift, with younger generations and startups bringing new ways of working, communication, and a focus on work-life balance.

💡Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance is the equilibrium between an individual's work and personal life. The script highlights the growing importance of work-life balance, especially among newer generations, and how this is influencing company culture and employee well-being within the energy sector.

Highlights

Good afternoon and welcome to the last stay here at European Utility Week with Sandra Routine, co-founder and head of business development and marketing at Boutique Her Energy Solutions.

Sandra discusses the startup landscape in Europe, noting the increasing number of startups entering the energy space despite the conservative industry nature.

Startups face challenges not only in bringing new technology but also in changing processes and mindsets within the industry.

Regulation within the EU is challenging for startups as it is difficult to change and should not be the basis for a startup's business model.

Utilities are becoming more open to innovation, realizing the need to adapt and collaborate with startups to keep up with the pace of change.

The traditional mindset of utilities doing everything themselves is shifting, as they recognize the value of external innovation.

Startups, often founded by younger generations, are driving a cultural change in the way work is conducted, with a focus on technology, communication, and diversity.

The growing international nature of teams within startups is leading to a more diverse and inclusive work environment.

Work-life balance is becoming increasingly important, with a focus on preventing burnout and promoting employee well-being.

The change in work culture is not only beneficial for individuals but also for companies in maintaining long-term relationships with employees.

Sandra emphasizes the importance of startups adapting to current regulations and not relying on the assumption of future regulatory changes.

Startups are bringing innovative solutions not only in terms of technology but also in services, shaping the future of energy.

The energy industry is traditionally conservative and built on heavy infrastructure, making it difficult for new innovations to be adopted.

There is a growing recognition among utilities of the need to be more open-minded and collaborate with startups to drive innovation.

Startups are navigating the regulatory environment by focusing on adapting to current regulations rather than waiting for changes.

The interview concludes with a discussion on the importance of startups being proactive in dealing with regulatory challenges and the potential for positive change.