iDrivers Program: From ideas to new business models

iDrivers is the intrapreneurship program by which Girbau employees with creative ideas are able to improve the company’s experiences, products and procedures. Through that program, they transfer their ideas to Girbau’s business challenges in order to find solutions and make disruptive business suggestions for the industrial laundry sector.

If companies want to face the future, they must be able to adapt. Adapting is not just a matter of agility, but also of innovation. And innovation consists basically in putting new ideas into practice. Through the iDrivers program, Girbau LAB has set out to create a virtuous circle made of the innovation, ideas, people, talent and execution found within the company.

How does iDrivers work

The initial aim of the iDrivers program is to activate sources of inspiration for generating ideas for the future of industrial laundry.

Following an internal call for proposals to meet a new business challenge for the company, the Girbau LAB employees voluntarily submit business ideas.

The Innovation Committee assesses and selects which projects are the ones that will develop into a second stage.

During six months, the participants selected as iDrivers have the support of a team of internal and external mentors that help them define their projects, by evaluating their market potential, as well as their technical and financial viability.

With their creative ideas, the Girbau employees are able to improve experiences, products and/or procedures, and transfer their ideas to the Girbau’s business challenges in order to find solutions and make disruptive business suggestions for the industrial laundry sector.

Finally, all projects are presented to the Girbau Innovation Committee. Those chosen go on to a second stage of development, and they provide great innovating value to Girbau’s offer of products and solutions, as well as new and more disruptive business opportunities.

Three editions, one international

On the first edition of iDrivers, in 2018, which took place in Vic, 7 participants were selected, and they formed 5 teams that had the support of a group of internal and external mentors to help them define their projects.

Girbau LAB has launched 2 editions of the iDrivers intra-entrepreneurship program in Girbau Group Spain and 1 international, with 25 Girbau workers involved and 2 projects under development.

In 2019, the second edition of the iDrivers project took place with employees from the Girbau headquarters in Vic. The 8 selected participants began the mentoring process. There are currently 2 projects under development with options to be included into business.

The Girbau LAB iDrivers program goes international

In 2019, Girbau LAB promoted also for the first time the iDrivers program at an international level, with Girbau employees from all over the world.

In this international edition of the iDrivers project, 11 Girbau volunteers were selected in Australia, China, USA, France, UK, the Dominican Republic, and Russia. They formed 7 teams with their respective projects.

During six months, the participants enjoyed 6 modules from the online training program on innovation and entrepreneurship; as well as personalized mentoring with experts in business and entrepreneurship skills.

There are currently 2 projects under development with options to be included in the business.