Philippe Genot, Chief Innovation Officer, leads this initiative: “My role is to manage our internal team of four coaches, structure innovation efforts, and stimulate all employees through a clear framework and appropriate tools. I also serve as the bridge between internal innovation and external partners.”

These four internal coaches support idea initiators throughout the development process. Their mission: to act as facilitators and catalysts without intervening in the content of the ideas.

A clear framework to nurture ideas

Turning an idea into a concrete solution requires method, time, and resources. That’s why Schroeder & Associés has implemented a dedicated internal process designed to support the entire innovation journey – from idea formulation to execution.

As part of its Schroeder 2030 strategy, innovation plays a central role. The company has adopted the principle of open innovation, a deliberately inclusive approach that fosters the emergence of ideas both internally and through collaboration with external partners – public or private. Startups, academic institutions, and tech actors such as the House of Startups (HoST), the Luxembourg Open Innovation Club (LOIC), the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), the University of Luxembourg (uni.lu), and Luxinnovation, among others, are all active partners in this initiative.

An approach open to all

At Schroeder & Associés, everyone is encouraged to submit ideas via an accessible innovative idea form system. These proposals are then processed through the structured system established by the Innovation team. While innovation is open to all, it demands certain qualities: curiosity, open-mindedness, courage, creativity, and the ability to think differently.

“Innovation, just like the company culture that enables it, is a key driver of continuous improvement, which lies at the heart of our operations. It allows us to sustainably evolve our processes – not only to improve our daily work but also to tackle the challenges of tomorrow. In this context, the close synergy between the QSE team (Quality, Safety, Environment) and the Innovation team represents a major strategic asset for Schroeder & Associés,” explains Moreno Viola, Head of QSE.

For Darius Stein, research analyst and member of the Innovation team at Schroeder & Associés: “We are committed to making innovation tangible by turning it into real projects, supported by proven methodologies such as design thinking. This user-centered approach ensures that every initiative is rooted in actual needs and avoids disconnected solutions. As one of our guiding principles puts it: ‘Fall in love with the problem, not the solution.’ ”

Innovation isn’t limited to internal ideas – it also requires ongoing monitoring of technological trends. “At Schroeder & Associés, we are constantly seeking improvement. One of the most significant technological innovations of recent years is generative AI – an exciting technology with immense potential. However, integrating AI into our processes requires collaboration. That’s why we offer not only various AI tools but also training sessions for our employees. This enables everyone to get familiar with the technology, share ideas, and innovate together. Artificial intelligence doesn’t replace our expertise – it enhances it. By saving time and reducing repetitive tasks, AI allows us to focus on what matters most: human engineering, innovation, and quality. This aligns perfectly with our motto: ‘Engineering the future together,’ ” explains Luca Courte, AI Manager.

While the integration of these technologies offers opportunities, it also presents challenges – notably the need to preserve a human spirit of innovation in an increasingly automated environment.

Innovation Camp: A hackathon-style idea lab

Every two years, Schroeder & Associés organizes its Innovation Camp in partnership with the House of Startups – an internal hackathon that rallies talent around real-world challenges. The third edition, held on April 22–23, brought together six multidisciplinary teams focused on two goals: enhancing the customer experience and strengthening company culture.

Guided by external coaches, the teams had two days to design, prototype, and present their ideas. A jury selected two winning projects, which will receive dedicated time and funding for further development, integrated into the daily work of the project initiators.

Thierry Flies, Managing Director, summarizes the philosophy behind the event: “To achieve excellence, three ingredients are essential: agility, collaboration, and innovation. Agility to remain open, collaboration to unite strengths, and innovation to explore new paths.”

At Schroeder & Associés, innovation is far more than a driver of creativity – it’s a concrete lever for transformation, foresight, and building the future. By structuring its approach and engaging all stakeholders, the company is making innovation a strategic pillar in service of impact.

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