Winner of the i-Nov Innovation Competition, Smartway secures a €1.4 million grant
Smartway, a trusted partner to retailers in the fight against food waste for the past 12 years, has been named a winner of the i-Nov Innovation Competition. Funded through the France 2030 plan, this program is designed to highlight innovative projects with strong potential to boost the French economy. As part of this prestigious initiative, Smartway has secured €1.4 million in funding, split between a grant and a repayable advance, to accelerate the development of its Fresh Operating System. This cutting-edge technological solution addresses a critical challenge in the retail sector: reducing food waste in the fruits and vegetables aisle.
On Thursday, September 19, Paul-Adrien Menez, co-founder of Smartway, took part in the State Innovation Awards ceremony, alongside ADEME and Bpifrance.
A competition dedicated to the projects of the future
The i-Nov Innovation Competition is a support program for startups and SMEs with high innovation potential. Its goal is to encourage the emergence of new technological leaders capable of boosting the French economy and accelerating industrial and ecological transitions. This initiative is funded through the France 2030 plan, which aims to back innovative projects that create value and address major contemporary challenges.
The competition is overseen by the General Secretariat for Investment responsible for France 2030, alongside the DGRI, CGDD, and DGE, with support from various ministries and coordinators of France 2030 strategies. It is operated on behalf of the State by Bpifrance and ADEME.
The Fresh Operating System, the solution reinventing the way fruits and vegetables are ordered
Smartway applied to this call for projects with its Fresh Operating System, an innovative solution designed to optimize the management of fruits and vegetables in large retail chains. This department experiences four times more food waste than other sectors, with spoilage rates reaching nearly 6%. These losses are often due to inefficient order management, caused by stock errors, unoptimized ordering habits, or outdated technological tools.
The Fresh Operating System aims to address these issues by streamlining the ordering process. Through full digitalization, it enables teams to place the “PERFECT ORDER” — one that minimizes both stock shortages and waste by precisely adjusting orders to match real demand and market fluctuations. This technology relies on detailed real-time data analysis, providing retailers with a responsive, efficient solution tailored to the unique challenges of the fruits and vegetables department.
By optimizing supply and reducing waste, the Fresh Operating System not only helps retailers better meet consumer expectations but also strengthens their commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Smartway, a driving force for change in the fight against food waste
For 12 years, Smartway has been helping retailers in the fight against food waste. More than 2,000 stores worldwide have adopted its Food Waste Management System, a solution powered by unique artificial intelligence that guides store teams in identifying products nearing their expiration date and deciding the best way to repurpose them: through relevant discount labeling or simplified donations to charitable organizations. After gaining traction with numerous retailers in France and across Europe, with a presence in 11 countries, Smartway is now expanding its reach into Asia and North Africa. Since its inception, Smartway has saved 350 million products from being wasted.
With the €1.4 million in funding received through the i-Nov Innovation Competition, Smartway will be able to accelerate its growth, enhance the deployment of its technology, and continue pursuing its ambitious innovation strategy. This recognition also affirms the company’s commitment to ecological transition and the circular economy.
“With this grant, we will be able to accelerate the development and deployment of our Fresh Operating System, enabling us to contribute even more effectively to reducing food waste. We are proud to be among the winners of this prestigious competition, which highlights innovation and solutions that create positive impact for the French economy.”
Paul-Adrien et Christophe Menez, Co-founders of Smartway
Press contact
Smartway: Presse & Cie – Laetitia Munoz – +33 6 20 49 90 39 – lmunoz@presse-cie.com
About Smartway
Food stores throw away as much as they earn! We can no longer tolerate such waste as more and more consumers are in need. Fortunately, food stores can now address this issue while also improving their profitability.
Committed since 2012, Smartway has introduced Zero-Waste sections and created the first-ever Food Waste Management System to optimise the path of food products nearing their expiration date.
With Smartway, Sustainable is profitable: we support large food retailers transform their business model.
“Working daily to reduce waste together.” smartway.ai
