Merkator, GoodsTag, Manual.to and Tapio win the Orange Fab Fiber Innovation Call 2024

Yesterday, the 2024 Orange Fab pitch contest was held. This special innovation call of Orange Belgium’s start-up accelerator program focuses on exciting challenges associated with the deployment of Orange’s fiber network in Belgium. The four selected start-/scale-ups will have the opportunity to collaborate directly with the teams in charge of the deployment of the fiber network.

Founded in 2016, Orange Fab is Orange’s accelerator program in Belgium and Luxembourg. The program collaborates with start-ups and scale-ups over a 6 to 9-month period to establish win-win and sustainable partnerships between them and the Orange ecosystem. Orange Belgium is dedicated to being at the forefront of technological innovation, betting on these innovative players to support its core business. 

Orange Fab Innovation Call 2024

For the 2024 edition, Orange Fab launched the ‘Fiber Challenge’: a chance for tech start-ups to take the lead alongside Orange Teams in building a sustainable and future-proof fiber network in Belgium. The applicants were asked to think about four topics, identifying how Orange can:

1. optimize its network infrastructure placement, considering geographical and property constraints

2. build sustainable and easy-to-deploy labeling systems for optic fiber cables and network equipment

3. provide intuitive and gamified tools for technical trainings, skills maintenance, and safety measures

4. measure the carbon footprint of the FTTP (Fiber-to-the-Premises) network and the HFC (Hybrid Fiber Coaxial) network.

During a pitch contest held at Orange Belgium headquarters, 8 participating teams from 5 countries presented their project and motivation in front of a C-level jury. For each of the four pre-defined topics a winner was chosen.

Winner ‘Geospatial Tool for Fiber Networks’

Merkator: Marlin Digital Twin providing a unified view to align all teams and streamline processes for building and operating the network.

Winner ‘Smart Labelling System’

GoodsTag: NFC-Enabled Digital Product Passports for Full Lifecycle Traceability and Targeted Services.

Winner ‘Gamified Learning & Development Solution’

Manual.to: From training to manuals, capturing crucial knowledge and sharing throughout the company in minutes.

Winner ‘Carbon Footprint Calculator’

Tapio: Providing companies and organizations with the expertise and tools they need to measure, reduce and manage their carbon footprint.

Philippe Toussaint, Chief Technology Officer at Orange Belgium: “I'm delighted to welcome the winners of our Orange Fab program. We believe that open innovation is not just a strategy; it's a necessity. By working closely with these start-ups, we are helping them to develop and grow. Through these collaborations, we are preparing the telecoms network of tomorrow: a very high-speed, sustainable and resilient network.”

For more information, visit www.orangefab.be