EN 
FR ChangeNOW’s mission is to promote and amplify the most innovative solutions for the planet. This year’s Summit will feature over 1,000 solutions who will take the stage, as speakers or pitchers, and exhibit in a 13,000 m² area in the Grand Palais.
Out of the many applications we receive each year, we build our Official Selection with the support provided by our Positive Impact Experts. This group of individuals, each with expertise in one of the key themes of our exhibition, has a special understanding of sustainability issues and a passion for driving positive change. Their various backgrounds, including academia, policy, and business, and wealth of knowledge and experience allow them to make insightful recommendations and help us create an impactful Official Selection of Solutions for the Planet.
“Finding the most innovative and impactful solutions is a challenging task. It demands expert knowledge across all the themes addressed at ChangeNOW, and a great understanding of technical, economic and creative challenges solutions face. Our committee of Positive Impact Experts brings invaluable skills and insights to help us build our Official Selection of Solutions for the Planet.”
— Santiago Lefebvre, CEO and Founder of ChangeNOW.
The Four Pillars of the Positive Impact Experts’ selection process
The Positive Impact Experts are helping our team review and evaluate hundreds of applications from changemakers and organizations around the world that are positively impacting their communities and beyond. From innovative technologies to grassroots initiatives, as well as low-tech solutions, they all ambition to address some of the most pressing challenges facing our world today, but which ones are truly the most promising? This is what our Positive Impact Experts and the ChangeNOW Solution team are searching for by checking out a few criteria:
- 1. Positive impact – The solution should showcase that they positively impact people and the planet, addressing the biggest challenges of our century, such as climate change, social inequality, or health crises. They should demonstrate the tangible benefits of their solution, including how it improves the quality of life, contributes to sustainability, and helps to tackle pressing global issues.
- 2. Replicability/Scalability – The solution should demonstrate its potential to spread, have a larger impact, and scalability, highlighting how it can be replicated and scaled in different contexts. This could include case studies or examples of successful implementation in other locations.
- 3. Innovation – The solution should challenge the norm, break new (or old) ground and potentially drive significant change. This could include new materials, products, services, or processes that are more environmentally friendly or energy efficient or that address social or health issues in new and effective ways.
- 4. Viability – The solution should showcase a potential for a business model that is viable and has the potential to be financially sustainable over the long term. This could include a clear plan for revenue generation, cost management, and profitability.
Covering the full spectrum of change for the greatest potential & impact
While our key criteria form a robust selection framework, we recognize additional nuanced factors critical to solution success.
Community backing, scalability, and real-world adaptability are essential in identifying solutions with genuine transformative potential. Our holistic approach, based on the following list, ensures we select innovations that are not just theoretically sound, but practically implementable and socially resonant.
- Relevance – The solution should address the biggest challenges of our century – such as climate change, social inequality, and health crises— and showcase how they have the potential to significantly impact and accelerate progress towards addressing these challenges.
- Education and awareness – The solution should educate and raise awareness about the challenges and the solutions showcased, helping visitors to understand the issues and the actions they can take to make a difference. This could include interactive elements or hands-on activities that engage visitors and encourage them to learn more.
- Systemic Change – The solution should address the cause, rather than the symptoms, of the biggest challenges of our century. It should address change with a holistic approach.
- Inspiring – The solution should be presented in an inspiring and human way, emphasizing the solution’s positive impact on people and the planet. The exhibit should convey a sense of hope and optimism rather than despair or pessimism.
- Quality and professionalism – The solution should be well-designed and presented, with clear and accurate information and graphics. The exhibit should be visually appealing and engaging, with high-quality materials and a cohesive overall design.
- Geography – Attention is given to promoting an international and diverse panel of solutions. The solution can come from any geography and be developed by any size and type of organization: start-up, SME, large corporation, association, NGO, etc.
- Accessibility – The solution should be accessible to all visitors, with considerations for individuals with disabilities.
Introducing our Positive Impact Experts
Circular Economy – Kevin Chen, Consulting Director (Circul’R)
Areas of expertise: Circular economy, positive societal impact, social and environmental responsibility, and environmental sustainability.
Kevin Chen is a seasoned professional with a wealth of consulting experience and a deep commitment to sustainability. He has devoted himself to the transition to a circular economy and has a strong track record of working on projects with a positive societal impact.
Health – Linda Mai Phung
Areas of expertise: Eco-design, CSR, Circular economy.
A trained fashion designer, Linda Mai Phung worked for 15 years in sustainable fashion in Asia and Europe, developing low-impact fashion collections with committed factories and artisans.
Today as a sustainable fashion consultant based in Paris, Linda Mai Phung guides brands in CSR and trains professionals in eco-design, low impact sourcing and the impacts of the textile industry.
Biodiversity – Galitt Kenan, Executive Director France (Jane Goodall Institute)
Areas of expertise: Wildlife conservation, environmental protection, animal welfare, and environmental education.
Galitt Kenan is a committed advocate for biodiversity and has dedicated her career to protecting biodiversity. She has worked tirelessly to promote positive change in these areas and is strongly committed to making a difference.
Ocean and Water – Olivier Raybaud, Managing Director (SWEN Capital Partners)
Areas of expertise: Renewable energy, clean technology, ocean policy, and coastal management.
With a diverse background in investment, private equity, and environmental protection, Olivier is particularly passionate about ocean health and has dedicated himself to working on solutions in this area.
Education and Inclusion – General Delegate (MaVoie.org) and co-founder (4jours.work)
Areas of expertise: Diversity and inclusion, education policy, lifelong learning, and social innovation.
Philippe du Payrat is dedicated to revolutionizing youth employment and the nonprofit sector through his role as General Delegate at Mavoie.org. His expertise contributes to addressing challenges in education and promoting social inclusion and the future of work.
Education and Inclusion – Sarah Cerange, Community manager (B Lab France)
Areas of expertise: Diversity and inclusion, education policy, and social innovation.
Fashion – Christine Goulay, Founder (Sustainabelle Advisory Services)
Areas of expertise: Sustainable fashion, textile-to-textile recycling, impact measurement, and supply chain management.
Christine Goulay has a thorough understanding of sustainable fashion thanks to her wealth of experience in this area, including working with investors, brands, and innovators to scale sustainable solutions.
Food and Agriculture – Philippe Birker, COO & Co-founder (Climate Farmers)
Areas of expertise: Food & Agriculture
As the COO & Co-founder of Climate Farmers, Philippe Birker supports regenerative farmers in Europe, focusing on soil regeneration. He brings extensive knowledge to the food and agriculture sector.
Cities – Kenneth Marc Strzepek, Professor Emeritus (MIT & International Food Policy Research Institute)
Areas of expertise: Water resource management, food systems, sustainable cities.
Kenneth Strzepek is a renowned expert in water resource management and environmental economics with over 30 years of experience. He has applied his interdisciplinary expertise to projects ranging from local to global scales, working with various governments and international organizations. Strzepek holds positions at multiple institutions, including the University of Colorado, MIT, and the International Food Policy Research Institute.
Health – Sandrine Egron, Investment Director (50 Partners Health)
Areas of expertise: Health tech, medtech, digital health, entrepreneurship.
With over 10 years of focus on innovation in the health tech sector, Sandrine Egron is a leading expert in her field. She is also the founder of 50 Partners Santé, a startup accelerator in France that helps selected startups grow and succeed.
Mobility – Matthias Schanze, General Partner (Rethink Ventures)
Areas of expertise: Mobility and logistics.
Matthias Schanze is a General Partner at Rethink Ventures, a Munich-based investment firm with a €50 million fund dedicated to early-stage mobility, automotive, and logistics startups. Previously, he led the mobility team at Siemens’ venture fund, Next47, where he played a key role in driving innovation. With over 15 years of experience in the sector, Schanze is committed to supporting sustainable transportation solutions across Europe.
Energy – Dimitri Carbonnelle, Founder & Author (Livosphere)
Areas of expertise: Energy, CSR, CSRD, and carbon footprint.
Also a spokesperson for the Shifters, Dimitri Carbonnelle leads projects, delivers keynote speeches focused on decarbonization, climate change adaptation, circular economy, CSR/CSRD, and digital sustainability.
Energy – Deborah Bartel, Expert, Start-up Ecosystem (Department of Digital Technologies and Start-up Ecosystem)
Areas of expertise: Environment/climate protection, energy and the protection of critical infrastructures.
At the German Energy Agency, Deborah scouts start-ups in Energy and Climate Tech and connects innovators, investors, civil society and public stakeholders worldwide. With previous experience in the French Parliament, the European Commission and consultancy, she is passionate about finding impactful solutions for a green and just energy transition.
