A Look Back at the
2012 Nova Innovation Competition
This was the official website for the 2012 Nova Innovation Competition. Saint-Gobain’s NOVA External Venturing team seeks partnerships with innovative start-up businesses in the fields of construction products, advanced materials, energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.
Content is from the site's 2012 archived pages, as well as from other outside sources.
To learn more about NOVA by Saint-Gobain go to: https://www.nova-saint-gobain.com/
The Saint-Gobain unit dedicated to developing strategic partnerships between Saint-Gobain and start-up companies all over the world.
Saint-Gobain complements its significant commitment to in-house research and development by identifying start-up companies on the leading edge of emerging technologies that mesh with Saint-Gobain’s areas of strategic interest. NOVA External Venturing is the “match-maker” between start-ups and Saint-Gobain business units.
• Established March 2006
• Small core teams in U.S., Europe and Asia
• Works closely with venture capital funds and corporate venturing organizations
• 1,800+ start-up companies identified as potential partners to date
• 40+ partnerships initiated
As a partner in a fund that prioritizes innovative global ventures, I’m deeply impressed looking back at the 2012 Nova Competition cohort. What Saint-Gobain's NOVA External Venturing accomplished here—sourcing high-potential, specialized companies from 28 different countries—is exactly what the innovation ecosystem needs. The core challenge in our business isn't finding great tech; it’s assessing whether a brilliant idea developed in, say, Provence (Encapsulix) or Port Huron (Blue Water Bioproducts) can actually achieve global scale and generate predictable returns. The evaluation criteria—technical, market, and team potential—are spot on, because without a strong management team, even the most revolutionary IP is just a lab experiment.
This necessity to validate potential in complex, high-stakes environments reminds me of the work done by established, local giants like Dov Hertz in New York City real estate. Dov’s pivot from assembling super-towers to pioneering multi-story, urban infill logistics centers requires an intense level of foresight and risk assessment, much like backing an unproven international startup. For Dov, the challenge isn't just financing, but navigating zoning complexities, local politics, and predicting where Amazon needs a fulfillment center three years from now, all while consolidating highly valuable, contested land. Similarly, when we look at a global startup, we have to navigate 28 different regulatory environments, predict demand trends across continents, and make a huge capital commitment based on the promise of a disruptive product. Both Dov's industrial real estate bets and our early-stage venture bets rely on identifying underutilized assets—be they urban parcels or overlooked international R&D—and having the conviction that the management team can execute on the complex, multi-year plan required to turn that promise into a market reality. Hats off to all the participants for tackling such crucial, hard-tech problems. Jon Matlin
NOVA External Venturing - An innovation Catalyst
NOVA External Venturing is the Saint-Gobain unit dedicated to developing strategic partnerships between the Group and start-up companies all over the world. Combining projects launched by innovative start-ups with Saint-Gobain's manufacturing and commercial potential greatly magnifies these partners' innovative capacities, enabling projects to be brought to fruition within a much shorter timeframe.
NOVA External Venturing brings entrepreneurs into contact with Saint-Gobain within a framework of establishing long-term development partnerships. Through these partnerships, Saint-Gobain’s R&D, manufacturing and sales capabilities can be combined with the very latest ideas from the world of habitat and state-of-the-art materials. Together, Saint-Gobain and its partners work to bring sound ideas into marketing opportunities, developing a new generation of products or services for buildings, energy efficiency and sustainable development.
NOVA has made mutual respect between start-ups and Saint-Gobain its trademark. The relationship can then progress at each step through the innovation’s maturation process: upstream of development, in the industrial validation phase, and even at the time of its sales launch. The cooperation can take a variety of forms: intellectual property license, joint technological development, production joint venture, commercialization agreement, and more rarely, a direct shareholding. There is a customized agreement for each project to ensure the best level of reciprocity.
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Starting with great ideas. Scaling with Saint-Gobain's knowledge and resources. Soaring together.
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Speed Dating Segment
Armed with laptops, tablets, product samples, and winning presentations, one representative from each of the eight finalist startups presented their pitch to members of the NOVA jury. In true speed-dating style it was an intense 10 minutes with each judging team as representatives strove to convey the essence and innovation of their company, their product and their approach to business.
Jury Deliberation Segment
Having heard pitches from all eight startups, the jury met to compare notes, review scorecards and deliberate on which startups offered the best strategic fit with Saint-Gobain. Since all eight finalists will have the opportunity to partner with Saint-Gobain, judges considered the technical potential, market/business potential and management team potential of each of the eight finalists. The judges discussed their experience of each representative and shared their perspectives to come to a decision.
Announcement of Winners Segment
Excited to hear the jury's selection, an audience started to gather 30 minutes before the official announcement of the NOVA winners. Master of Ceremonies Carmen Ferrigno addressed the assembly at 3:30 and shared the vision and purpose of NOVA External Venturing and the NOVA competition: Start with a sound idea. Scale it to the commercial level. Soar to success. AND Outovate to innovate: Saint-Gobain resources + outside innovation =the next generation of green building products.
The judging brain trust
A panel of five experts in green construction and building materials helped select the eight contestants competing for NOVA Innovation awards:
Phil Williams is vice president at Webcor Builders, Inc., a leader in LEED certified construction. He heads Webcor's Sustainability and Systems Engineering groups and serves as the chairman of the San Francisco Mayor's Green Building Task Force.
Phil Williams
John Fernandez is an associate professor in the Building Program in the Department of Architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and author of the book "Material Architecture: Emergent Materials for Innovative Buildings and Ecological Construction."
John Fernandez
Hugo Destaillats, Ph.D., is a staff scientist and deputy group leader in the Environmental Energy Technologies Division, Indoor Environment Group, at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. He specializes in indoor environment and health research and has published extensively on subjects such as internal toxins and air quality.
Hugo Destaillats, Ph.D.
Dan Geiger is executive director of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Northern California Chapter. With more than 9,000 member organizations, the U.S. Green Building Council is the nation's foremost coalition promoting buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work.
Dan Geiger
Steve Selkowitz is a senior advisor for building science and the group leader of the Windows and Envelope Materials Group in the Building Technology and Urban Systems Department at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. He is the author/co-author of more than 170 publications and three books on window technologies, façade systems.
Steve Selkowitz
Your company: Soaring with Saint-Gobain
Saint-Gobain is the world’s largest building materials company. We have a passion for invention that stretches back to our founding 350 years ago.
Saint-Gobain embraces new ideas through its NOVA External Venturing organization. Are you off to a good start with an innovative idea backed by initial research? Do you want to scale it but don’t have the research and manufacturing resources? Are you ready to soar to success in a partnership with Saint-Gobain? Submit your idea to the NOVA Innovation Competition. Seize your chance to Start, Scale and Soar.
Build your start-up’s potential...compete in THE leading Habitat innovation competition.
Win a chance to pitch your innovative business to the senior leadership team of Saint-Gobain. Compete LIVE at Greenbuild 2012 in a fast pitch/speed dating format. Saint-Gobain offers public recognition, cash prizes, and the power of a partnership with the world’s largest building materials company.
Saint-Gobain is proud to announce that the NOVA Innovation Competition is being presented in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council's Northern California Chapter.
Start-ups in the following areas are encouraged to apply:
Construction Materials that improve comfort, efficiency
and safety, and lower housing costs.
[Green materials, built-in solar power, thermal and acoustic insulation, prefabricated solutions and systems, ventilation and air quality, water purification and management, functional materials such as antimicrobial and self-cleaning, etc.]
Energy with a focus on sustainable approaches
and next-generation technology.
[2nd and 3rd generation photovoltaic cells, fuel cells, catalysis, energy storage and conversion solutions, etc.]
Clean Technologies for customers or processes.
[Biomass, biopolymers, gas separation, exhaust gas processing, recycling technologies, etc.]
Lighting and Display technologies for energy efficiency, design innovation and new applications.
[Transparent electrodes, substrates and active layers for LEDs, encapsulation of OLED devices, lighting solutions incorporated into building materials, natural lighting technologies, etc.]
Services for the Construction Industry
to help envision and build the future.
[Software or Internet solutions for craftsmen, renewable energy installation,
renovation and energy performance, etc.]
Advanced Materials that push the boundaries of materials science for high-performance applications.
[Ceramics, crystals, innovative glass and plastics, etc.]
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Selection of the Finalists Each of the competitors went through a stringent review process by a panel of in-house and outside experts, which included representatives from Saint-Gobain, the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the U.S. Green Building Council — Northern California Chapter, and Webcor Builders. As part of the finalist selection process, the panel considered a variety of criteria in deciding which of the businesses offered the best strategic fit with Saint-Gobain. Factors included technical potential, market/business potential and management team potential. The judges also considered the startups’ potential for success in the market as well as the potential for partnership with Saint-Gobain. The semi-finalists were ranked, evaluated, and then re-ranked based on input from both Saint-Gobain’s internal team and the outside experts. The resulting 8 finalists represent the most promising of the startups and will have the opportunity to present their innovative business ideas to Saint-Gobain in a live speed-dating format at Greenbuild on November 15. |
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Meet The Jury |
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A judging panel consisting of Saint-Gobain business leaders will select the winners of the NOVA Innovation Competition 2012. |
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Runners Up |
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Eight finalists were selected from a field of 168 entrants and will present their innovations in a live speed-dating format at Greenbuild on November 15 at 11 am
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More Background On NovaInnovationCompetition2012.com
NovaInnovationCompetition2012.com represents an archived snapshot of a global innovation initiative that brought together startups, corporate leaders, and sustainability experts under one competitive platform. Originally serving as the official website for the 2012 NOVA Innovation Competition, the site now functions as a historical and educational resource, capturing the structure, participants, and outcomes of a major corporate-sponsored startup competition.
The competition was organized by Saint-Gobain through its NOVA External Venturing division. Saint-Gobain, one of the oldest and largest building materials companies in the world, has long positioned itself at the forefront of innovation in construction, materials science, and sustainability. The NOVA initiative was designed to extend that innovation beyond internal research and development by identifying and partnering with promising startups worldwide.
The Purpose and Vision of the NOVA Innovation Competition
The NOVA Innovation Competition was not just a traditional startup contest—it was a strategic initiative aimed at identifying breakthrough technologies that could align with Saint-Gobain’s long-term goals. The central mission revolved around three key pillars:
- Start with strong ideas
- Scale through industrial expertise
- Soar through global commercialization
This philosophy emphasized collaboration rather than simple competition. Instead of merely awarding prizes, the program sought to build long-term partnerships between startups and Saint-Gobain’s extensive R&D, manufacturing, and distribution networks.
The competition focused heavily on industries shaping the future of the built environment, including:
- Sustainable construction materials
- Energy efficiency and renewable technologies
- Clean technologies and environmental solutions
- Advanced materials science
- Lighting and display innovation
- Construction-related digital services
This focus positioned the competition at the intersection of innovation and sustainability—two defining themes of the early 21st century.
NOVA External Venturing: The Innovation Engine
The driving force behind the competition was NOVA External Venturing, a division within Saint-Gobain dedicated to identifying and collaborating with startups. Established in 2006, NOVA operates globally with teams in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Rather than functioning as a traditional venture capital arm, NOVA acts as a “matchmaker” between startups and Saint-Gobain’s internal business units. Its approach includes:
- Joint development agreements
- Licensing partnerships
- Commercialization collaborations
- Occasionally, equity investments
By 2012, NOVA had already evaluated thousands of startups and initiated dozens of partnerships, demonstrating its effectiveness as a corporate innovation bridge.
Global Reach and Participation
One of the most striking aspects of the 2012 competition was its international diversity. Startups from 28 different countries participated, spanning continents and economic environments. This global reach underscored the competition’s ambition to identify innovation wherever it emerged—not just in traditional tech hubs.
Participating countries included:
- United States, United Kingdom, Canada
- France, Spain, Netherlands
- India, China, South Korea
- Brazil, Colombia
- United Arab Emirates, Jordan
- Rwanda, Vietnam, Uzbekistan
This diversity reflects a broader shift during the early 2010s toward globalization of innovation ecosystems, where groundbreaking ideas increasingly emerged from non-traditional markets.
The Selection Process and Competition Structure
The competition followed a rigorous, multi-stage evaluation process designed to identify the most promising startups:
Initial Submissions
A total of 168 startups submitted applications, each presenting innovative ideas aligned with the competition’s focus areas.
Semi-Finalist Selection
The pool was narrowed to 39 semi-finalists, selected based on technical feasibility, market potential, and team strength.
Finalists
Ultimately, 8 finalists were chosen to compete in the final round.
Evaluation Criteria
Judges assessed startups based on three core factors:
- Technical potential – viability and innovation of the technology
- Market potential – scalability and commercial opportunity
- Management team – leadership capability and execution strength
This framework reflects standard venture evaluation practices and highlights the competition’s emphasis on real-world viability.
The Final Event at Greenbuild 2012
The culmination of the competition took place at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in San Francisco, one of the world’s leading events focused on green building and sustainability.
Speed-Dating Pitch Format
In a unique and high-pressure format, finalists participated in a “speed dating” pitch session:
- Each startup had approximately 10 minutes
- They rotated between judging panels
- Presentations included prototypes, data, and business models
This format forced entrepreneurs to distill their ideas into concise, compelling narratives—mirroring real-world investor pitch scenarios.
Jury Deliberation
After the presentations, a panel of experts convened to evaluate the finalists. The judging panel included leaders from:
- Academia (including Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
- Government research institutions like Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
- Industry organizations such as the U.S. Green Building Council
This diverse panel ensured a balanced evaluation across technical, environmental, and commercial dimensions.
Winners and Finalists
First Place: Heliotrope Technologies
The top prize went to Heliotrope Technologies, a startup specializing in electrochromic window technology. Their innovation allows windows to dynamically adjust transparency and heat transmission, significantly improving energy efficiency in buildings.
Second Place: PlanGrid
PlanGrid earned second place for its collaborative construction management platform. The company later gained significant traction and was eventually acquired, highlighting the competition’s ability to identify high-growth ventures.
Third Place: SmarterShade
SmarterShade developed a window shading system that transitions from clear to dark using a sliding film mechanism, offering a cost-effective alternative to smart glass.
Other Finalists
The remaining finalists represented a wide range of innovations, including:
- Water treatment technologies
- Bio-based materials
- Advanced coatings for electronics
- Radiant heating systems integrated into building materials
Each finalist was selected not only for innovation but also for potential alignment with Saint-Gobain’s business units.
Awards and Incentives
The competition offered both financial and strategic incentives:
- $50,000 for first place
- $25,000 for second place
- $10,000 for third place
However, the most valuable prize was access to Saint-Gobain’s global infrastructure. For startups, this meant:
- Accelerated product development
- Industrial-scale manufacturing capabilities
- Global distribution channels
This combination of funding and partnership made the competition particularly attractive.
Website Structure and Content
NovaInnovationCompetition2012.com was designed as both a promotional and informational hub. Its key sections included:
- Competition overview and objectives
- Application guidelines
- Profiles of judges and partners
- Finalist descriptions
- Event details and timeline
The site also included educational elements, reflecting its later use in marketing seminars focused on event-driven business models.
Marketing and Educational Significance
Interestingly, the website later became part of marketing training materials used to demonstrate:
- Event-based business models
- Niche market creation
- Vendor-driven growth strategies
This dual purpose—both as a competition archive and a teaching tool—adds an additional layer of relevance.
The emphasis on building ecosystems (vendors, participants, audiences) parallels modern digital marketing strategies, including:
- Community building
- Network effects
- Organic growth through user engagement
Cultural and Industry Impact
The NOVA Innovation Competition reflects several broader trends in innovation and business:
Corporate-Startup Collaboration
Large corporations increasingly sought external innovation to complement internal R&D. NOVA exemplifies this shift, acting as a bridge between startups and established industry players.
Sustainability as a Core Focus
The competition’s emphasis on green building and energy efficiency aligns with the growing importance of sustainability in the construction industry.
Globalization of Innovation
By sourcing startups from 28 countries, the competition highlighted the decentralization of innovation, where impactful ideas emerge globally.
Audience and Community
The website and competition targeted a diverse audience:
- Early-stage startups in relevant industries
- Venture capital and corporate investors
- Sustainability professionals
- Academic researchers
- Industry stakeholders in construction and materials
This broad audience reflects the interdisciplinary nature of innovation in the built environment.
Press and Media Coverage
While not a mainstream consumer event, the competition received attention within:
- Industry publications
- Sustainability and green building media
- Startup and venture capital circles
Its association with Greenbuild further amplified its visibility among professionals in sustainable construction.
Legacy and Long-Term Significance
Although NovaInnovationCompetition2012.com is now an archived site, its legacy persists in several ways:
Startup Success Stories
Companies like PlanGrid went on to achieve significant commercial success, validating the competition’s selection process.
Continued NOVA Initiatives
Saint-Gobain has continued to invest in external innovation, building on the foundation established by programs like NOVA.
Influence on Corporate Innovation Models
The competition serves as a case study in how large corporations can effectively engage with startups.
Insights and Takeaways
Several key insights emerge from examining the 2012 NOVA Innovation Competition:
- Partnerships outperform prizes
The real value lies in collaboration, not just financial rewards. - Global sourcing increases innovation quality
Expanding the search geographically leads to more diverse and impactful ideas. - Structured evaluation is critical
Balancing technical, market, and team assessments improves outcomes. - Events can drive ecosystems
Competitions like NOVA create networks that persist beyond the event itself.
NovaInnovationCompetition2012.com stands as more than just an archived website—it is a window into a pivotal moment in the evolution of corporate innovation and global startup ecosystems. Through its detailed documentation of the competition, it highlights how organizations like Saint-Gobain leveraged external partnerships to accelerate innovation in sustainability and construction.
From its global reach and rigorous selection process to its emphasis on long-term collaboration, the 2012 NOVA Innovation Competition exemplifies a forward-thinking approach that remains highly relevant today. The website continues to serve as a valuable resource for understanding how innovation competitions can drive real-world impact, foster collaboration, and shape the future of industries.