Monaco’s premier sustainable mobility and renewable energy event is marking two decades this October with a shift towards cutting-edge technology and start-up companies.
The 20th edition of Ever Monaco will take place from October 15th to 16th at One Monte-Carlo, featuring a new format that prioritises future-facing conferences and a start-up competition worth €20,000 in prizes.
“At 20 years, we are becoming adults,” said Sébastien Lubert, President of Ever Monaco, during a press conference on Tuesday morning. “We have the foundations, but now we must put them into practice and continue learning everyday.”
The event has evolved significantly from its origins. In previous years, it used to showcase prototype electric vehicles. However, today’s market reality, where sustainable transport options are commercially available everywhere, has pushed organisers to focus on innovation rather than traditional exhibitions.
“For the past 20 years, Ever featured prototypes and vehicles that didn’t exist,” explained Ariane Favaloro, the event’s General Commissioner, speaking to Monaco Life. “Now we see cars that you can find in dealerships. People don’t need to come to Ever to try cars that are sold at dealers. Our goal is to show innovation.”
Start-up competition to take the spotlight
The forum’s headline feature is a start-up competition showcasing 15 selected companies working on green technologies. The competition offers an €8,000 first prize as part of a total prize pool of €20,000, alongside legal advice and business support.
Selected start-ups are developing technologies including systems to transform CO2 into valuable molecules, mobile solar power stations installed on railway lines, high-performance electric boats with foils, and electric skis for sustainable winter sports. The judging panel compromises eight members from Monaco’s business community.
Three key conferences are also set to take place to address questions about energy and mobility’s future. The first, ‘When luxury meets CSR,’ represents a partnership with Monte-Carlo SBM exploring how corporate social responsibility is transforming the luxury sector. Virginie Cotta, Secretary General of Monte-Carlo SBM, will participate in this discussion.
The second conference, ‘What energy and vehicles for the coming decades?’, will examine future mobility solutions and renewable energy developments, concluding with remarks from Prince Albert II on Wednesday from 2:15pm to 3:15pm.
The third conference offers a retrospective titled ’20 years of mobility in Monaco,’ featuring key industry figures reviewing the principality’s achievements in sustainable transport.
Traditional roundtable discussions will also take place under the theme ‘Electromobility and renewable energy supporting climate and society’. These sessions brings together academic experts, local authorities, and industry leaders to share experiences.
SMEG to showcase energy chain evolution
SMEG will demonstrate its expanding role across the entire energy spectrum. Laurence Garnatini from SMEG highlighted the company’s evolution to encompass renewable energy, urban heating systems, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
“We are one of the rare operators in the world present in the entire energy chain,” she notes, highlighting SMEG’S charging network which now operates 2,300 charging points in Monaco and 2,600 across France.
The event has also welcomed a partnership with the Rally Aïcha des Gazelles, specifically through their E-Gazelles category featuring electric competition vehicles. Meanwhile, it continues to enjoy support from the Prince Albert II Foundation of Monaco, SMEG, and the Monaco government.
Lastly, supporting the forum’s innovation is the Riviera Electric Challenge, co-organised with the city of Cagnes-sur-Mer. Alain Gaggero, deputy mayor of the city, explained that this 11th edition brings together around twenty electric vehicles from local authorities and companies over two days, with the prize-giving ceremony taking place at the Place du Palais on October 10th.
Despite the format evolution towards a more business focused event, organisers maintain their commitment to public engagement. “It’s open to the public. They participate, they come to listen,” Favaloro confirmed, nothing that audience questions during conferences are actively encouraged.
The event runs with free admission from 9:30am to 6pm on October 15th and 9:30am to 5pm on October 16th.
Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, catch our podcast on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.
Main photo provided.