Last November, a week was dedicated to celebrating innovation within BNP Paribas, through the Wealth Management Innovation Awards and the International Financial Services Rising Up days.

Wealth Management Innovation Awards

This year 10 nominees were pitching their projects, hoping to convince the jury and win a Wealth Management innovation awards. BNP Paribas in Switzerland presented two local innovative projects. Iphen, a secure digital platform which allow our teams to exchange documents with clients and external partners, and Drive! a digital solution to follow commercial targets. Drive’s unique solution seduced the jury and became a WM innovation laureate. Alongside the Wealth Management Innovation Awards, a day of discovery was prepared for the nominees: a learning expedition with Schoolab.It. This was an opportunity to network with nominees, colleagues, jury members and explore new locations, new ways of working, be inspired by new trends, exchange with start uppers and so much more!

International Financial Services Rising Up Days

During the same week, transformation and innovation players congregated to the IFS rising up days. The IFS Rising Up days offered inspiring and empowering conferences led by major external speakers on topics ranging from smart cities to nudge management, to open banking and quantum computing. The participants were also able to look beyond banking, towards engagement and learn how the Handicap International NGO completely reinvented itself in the past few years. Furthermore, this was an opportunity to network, mingle, to exchange on projects, to inspire each other, to be inspired and to look together to their common future. BNP Paribas in Switzerland was able to showcase the Swiss Wealth Management projects Iphen, Drive! and WM Marketing Dashboard, a tool for relationship managers to follow as well as Athena, a secure channel to exchange data with Group decision makers while complying with Swiss regulations..

BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA is a partner of Open Geneva, which will take place in Geneva from the 9th to 15th April, and will host several innovation workshops on its premises. In Switzerland, in line with the Group’s strategy, BNP Paribas has made innovation and responsibility two of its four strategic cornerstones, with the aim of anticipating changes and turning them into opportunities for all stakeholders while contributing to sustainable and socially responsible growth.

Open Geneva, an innovation festival that’s open, multidisciplinary and cross-functional

Open Geneva is a non-profit organisation that fully integrates the notion of “Sustainable Development Goals”. It organises an innovation festival that’s open, multidisciplinary and cross-functional, which aims to have a public-spirited and humanistic social impact, positive for the community, and to promote new, emerging economic opportunities. Private, public, academic and international institutions, as well as any citizen wishing to develop an open innovation community in Geneva are invited to different places in Geneva, UNIGE, Biotech Campus, CCIG, Impact Hub Geneva, CERN, Geneva Airport… for three days of Hackathons, conferences, open days, workshops … And for the Hackshow event on Sunday, everyone gathers together in one place Espace Hippomene, HEAD’s Campus, to present all projects and showcase innovation’s diversity in Geneva.

BNP Paribas opens its incubator, Colibri, to 5 associations

In this context, from 9th April, BNP Paribas will accommodate five associations in its Colibri incubator, to help them host their own innovation workshop by not only allowing them to use the premises, but also by supporting and coaching them in innovative methods such as the Agile method or Design Thinking, with some of the bank’s employees who are involved in Colibri. The Amaris group, with whom BNP Paribas in Switzerland has established a close relationship, will also join this initiative by providing experts in organisation, project management and IT throughout the five days.

• • Légumes Perchés: Légumes Perchés is an association created at the beginning of 2018 with the aim of developing and promoting urban agriculture.
  • Sipy: Sipy is an association that organises clothes bartering events in an innovative manner. Each person donating clothes at one of the organisation’s events receives a Sipy card, which in turn can be used in exchange for clothes at the same event, or at a later date. One item of clothing donated equals one point on the card… and it’s free!
  • Le pain de Demain c’est le pain d’Hier : the aim is to open, in the centre of Geneva, an outlet that would resell, at a very reasonable price, unsold wares (bread, sandwiches, cakes) from the surrounding bakeries that no longer meet the required freshness standards but that are nevertheless considered to be fit for consumption.
  • Saveurs migrantes: a foodtruck aimed at integrating immigrants who will ensure the preparing of meals and selling to the public.
  • Etudiants pour le Développement Durable (EDD) from the University of Geneva: EDD is an association for sustainable development whose activities concerning the university are extremely varied and aim to heighten awareness and encourage students with regard to practices that are environmentally friendly. The organisation has set-up projects such as Sustainable Development Week or “Panier à l’Uni” [Uni Baskets] that involves delivering organic and local produce to the university.

Pitch sessions on the BNP Paribas stand

Do you have an idea for themes such as “Services 4.0” (rethink sustainable tertiary services within the innovative and digital context), “My company in town, what societal and sustainable impact” or “My actions in sustainable change”? Come and make your pitch on the BNP Paribas stand on Sunday, 15th April. 5-minute sessions are organised from 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm with the bank’s innovation experts and coaches.

“Being the bank for a changing world, means always striving to better assist our customers, partners and teams while contributing to a more sustainable and better shared growth. Which also means for us here in Geneva, getting involved in our local ecosystem by contributing to the improvement of the urban, social and cultural environment. Actively participating in Open Geneva is embodying, in real terms, this committed company strategy.” commented Isabelle Jacob-Nebout, Head of Innovation & Development for BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA.

With innovation at the heart of its strategy, BNP Paribas aims to anticipate changes and transform them into opportunities for its clients to help them shape the world of tomorrow.

Combining global champions and a high number of start-ups with a culture of innovation, Switzerland is the ideal place for BNP Paribas to launch this initiative in response to corporate clients seeking areas of development.

WAI – We Are Innovation – a unique co-innovation program

Through the strength and reach of the BNP Paribas network, WAI Boost provides promising start-ups and corporate clients with the opportunity to meet and develop a unique partnership.

To unlock this potential, a team of internal and external experts took every step necessary to assess the potential and viability of business model, solutions and products of start-ups and if they meet innovation requirements and objectives of the corporate clients. This helped the corporate client to choose the best suited start-ups for a 4-month co-innovation partnership program, including a wide range of business and technical services which can lead to a long-term collaboration.

WAI Boost was launched by BNP Paribas in Paris in 2014. Due to the strong presence of companies that are global leaders in their field and due to the high level of innovation, Switzerland is the ideal market for the launch of a second WAI Boost initiative outside France.

A pilot phase: meeting the innovation market requirements of a world leader

In March 2017, BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA launched the pilot phase for its WAI Boost program with Dufry AG. The Switzerland-based global travel retailer in partnership with WAI Boost Switzerland, wanted to work with start-ups to innovate and develop digital solutions that meet market requirements in the following areas:

• Point of Sales
• Sales Transformation
• Customer Loyalty
• Data Management
• Change Management

Thanks to its knowledge of the start-up ecosystem, BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA provided Dufry with a 360° overview of digital innovations that match with their industry-specific needs. Based on the intelligence and assessment of BNP Paribas, Dufry decided to work with two start-ups: Mishipay and Gowento.

In partnership with MishiPay, Dufry worked on the launch of a beta version of a cashier-free, app-based shopping experience as a pilot in one of their locations. And with Gowento, Dufry worked on a project to build a more effective digital communication with clients, to improve their customer loyalty and increase revenues.

 

Patrick Voegeli, Head of BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA Corporate and Institutional Banking said: “The WAI Boost initiative demonstrates the ability of BNP Paribas to provide companies with a real business added value, beyond banking services thanks to our global network. Furthermore, it strengthens our foothold with swiss and international startups”.

Kim-Andrée Potvin, COO of BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA added: “Far from establishing a simple relationship, the WAI Boost initiative is a tailor-made acceleration for startups and partner companies. BNP Paribas is the first bank to become a full fledge accelerator for its clients, building on its experience with its own digital programme”.

“It’s an honour for us to launch this project with DUFRY, the leading travel retailer in the world. Thanks to the WAI boost programme run by BNP Paribas, we are able to take this major step towards our goal of eliminating queuing in retail, which in this case, will make sure we get to do all the airport shopping we want without ever having to worry about missing a flight.”Mustafa Khanwala – Co-Founder and CEO MishiPay

 

 “This is the most efficient communication channel ever! Gowento embraces the potential of native mobile applications (mobile wallet and web browser) to provide Dufry’s Cclients with the right message at the right time. This guarantees a 100 % Delivery, Read & Remain Subscribed without any specific applications or expensive marketing campaign.”Rabye Marouene – CEO of Gowento

BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA

With more than 1,400 employees and 4 locations in Geneva, Zurich, Basel and Lugano, BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA is a European player of reference in Switzerland for businesses, institutions and private customers. Established in Switzerland since 1872, we are here to develop over the long term, with a specific strategy for each business-line: To be the privileged partner of businesses and institutions, to accompany them in their development in Europe and internationally, with our “One Bank for Corporates” initiative. To be a reference in Wealth Management in terms of expertise and of service for our private customers and entrepreneurs. To be a centre of excellence for funding of raw materials thanks to our “Specialised Trade Solutions” offer at the service of our historical customers who share our values, and of the bank’s corporate customers in Europe. The integrated model of the BNP Paribas Group enables us to offer our customers the financial stability of a first rate bank in Europe with international reach and a full range of products and investments. By developing privileged long-term relationships with our customers, we aspire to contribute to sustainable and responsible growth.

Based on the success of the WAI (We Are Innovation) Boost pilot with Dufry, BNP Paribas is delighted to announce the launch of WAI Boost season 1 in Switzerland.

To celebrate this special occasion, a networking event dedicated to executive management from leading Swiss companies will be organized in Zurich on December, 6th.

Nurturing Swiss Innovation: From Building Connections to Digital Disruption

In an era where digital transformation reshapes every aspect of a business, organizations must focus on bringing the right connections for the realization of a digital solution that meets market requirements. From fueling customer engagement to generate higher revenue, this conference provides the insights that leaders need to ultimately allow your company to succeed in its digital innovation and transformation plans.

Agenda

12.30pm – 1.30pm Buffet & Networking

1.30pm – 2.10pm Roundtable: Digital Innovation in Switzerland

Moderated by Patrizia Laeri Anchor of weekly business program ECO and member of the Advisory Board of the Institute for digital business of HW Zürich.

With Nicolas Bürer – Managing Director of Digital Switzerland,

Pierre Lasry – CEO and Founder at Auraïa,

Gregory Leproux – Head of Digital Lab at Swisscom

and Alexandre de Boccard – Partner at Ochsner & Associés.

2.10pm – 2.45pm WAI Boost: Accelerate innovation through collaboration with Startups

Feedback on our first acceleration program from the key stakeholders: Dufry, the startups, L’Atelier.

2.45pm – 3.30pm Networking

Participation to this event is by invitation only.

At the Bank for a changing world we aim to anticipate changes and transform them into opportunities for our Clients.

Innovation is at the heart of our strategy to help us designing the world of tomorrow.

WAI BOOST : Innovation as our response to a changing world

BNP Paribas in Switzerland has launched in March 2017 WAI BOOST, our response to our corporate Clients seeking innovation. Through the strength of our network, WAI BOOST gives the possibility to promising start-ups and corporate Clients to meet and develop a unique partnership.

WAI BOOST at a glance

Discover how we create a unique collaboration between our corporate Clients and innovative start-ups.

WAI BOOST : The pilot phase

Meeting the innovation market requirements of a world leader

Dufry AG is a Swiss-based travel retailer operating around 2,200 duty-free and duty-paid shops in airports, cruise lines, seaports, railway stations and central tourist areas. The company employs almost 31,000 people in more than 63 countries.

Dufry AG, in partnership with WAI Boost Switzerland, wished to innovate with the most promising start-ups for the realization of a digital solution that meets market requirements in the following areas:

• Point of Sales
• Sales Transformation
• Customers Loyalty
• Data Management
• Change Management

Fueling innovation through successful ecosystems

At BNP Paribas in Switzerland we embrace the potential of our network to anticipate changes and transforme them into opportunities for our corporate Clients.

This allowed us to provide Dufry with a 360° overview of the most promising digital innovations that match with their industry-specific needs.

A unique co-innovation program

To achieve this challenge and ensure the success of this project, our team of internal and external experts took every step necessary to challenge the sustainability and the potential of start-ups that meet Dufry’s innovation requirements and objectives. This helped Dufry in choosing the most promising start-ups for a four month co-innovation partnership program, including a wide range of business and technical services which might lead to a long-term collaboration.

Discover the two selected start-ups

Mishipay : The most modern digital in-store experience for no more queuing

Dufry in partnership with MishiPay wishes to launch a beta version of a cashier-free, app-based shopping experience as a pilot in one of their locations.

This could enable a new method of in-store shopping with no queuing or waiting at all. Just walk into a store and you can use your mobile phone to scan, pay and leave with your purchase.

MishiPay has drawn its inspiration from best-in-retail B2C features to offer each individual customer the true omni-channel experience they deserve. Now you can access a 360° overview of the product and receive targeted in-store promotions tailored to your individual needs.

“It’s an amazing honour for us to launch this project with DUFRY, the biggest travel retailer in the world. Thanks to the WAI boost programme with BNP Paribas, we are able to take this major step towards our goal of eliminating queuing in retail, which in this case, will make sure we get to do all the airport shopping we want without ever having to worry about missing a flight.”

Mustafa Khanwala Co-Founder and CEO MishiPay

Gowento : Bringing customer engagement to the next level

With Gowento, Dufry’s wishes to build a more effective digital communication with their Clients, improve their customer loyalty and generate higher revenue.

From the most effective communication channel to smarter dynamic loyalty card, using Gowento’s solution, Dufry should be able to successfully reach an increasing number of their customers with targeted digital communication without any effort.

“Never a digital communication channel has been that efficient! Gowento embraces the potential of native mobile applications (mobile wallet and web browser) to provide Dufry’s Clients with the right message at the right time. This guarantees a 100 % Delivery, Read & Remain Subscribed without any specific applications or expensive marketing campaign.”

Rabye Marouene CEO of Gowento

This will allow Dufry’s to establish long-term client relationships through effective communication.

Stay tuned, more articles about WAI Boost are coming soon!

BNP PARIBAS (SUISSE) SA PARTNERS WITH FUSION TO PROVIDE A NEW DIGITAL BANKING EXPERIENCE TO ITS CUSTOMERS

BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA has just signed a partnership agreement with Fusion, the first start-up incubator and accelerator dedicated to financial technology in Switzerland, and thereby becomes the exclusive bank alongside Temenos, Notz Stucki, Swisscard and Polytech Ventures.

Click here for more details : Fusion_EN