group photo of the InovaYa water treatment team at a Winter 2024 seminar in Annecy, France

InovaYa, a committed impact company

Creativity Respect Honesty Humanity Team spirit
Creativity Respect Honesty Humanity Team spirit
Creativity

   "Promote creativity, innovation and individual fulfillment by encouraging a diversity of ideas and collaboration.. "

Respect

"Act by considering the impact of our actions to preserve our environment and enable us to live together."

Honesty

"Promote transparency in every action we take to preserve the integrity of our team and our working environment." 

Humanity

"Act with benevolence, protect, show solidarity and put people at the heart of our issues."

Team spirit

"Collaborate harmoniously and effectively by sharing common goals, cooperating, supporting and valuing each other's contributions."

Our mission

Preserving water resource to make it accessible to all

13 projects to improve access to drinking water worldwide
29 projects for more sustainable water management

Water, our commitment

Since 2018, InovaYa has been working every day to reinvent the world of water by promoting sobriety and sustainability. With an innovative approach, we aim to enable decentralized, local water management by adapting our solutions according to the source used and the desired use. To achieve this, we work closely with our customers and partners to bring high value-added projects to life.
As both a Young Innovative Company and a Social Solidarity Company, the quest for ever greater positive impact permeates everything we do. 

Our DNA

"Fall in love with your problem, not its solutions". 


Guided by this phrase since the very beginnings of InovaYa, we believe that a deep understanding of water challenges is the key to developing sustainable, effective and truly responsive solutions. That's why we're committed to challenging our certainties, pushing back the boundaries of innovation, and working tirelessly to ensure a future where water, a vital resource, is preserved and accessible to all.

Our CSR CSR

Aware of our key role as a responsible player, we are committed to reducing our water footprint and that of our customers, and to facilitating access to drinking water for all, worldwide. While promoting sobriety and efficiency, our team is doing its utmost to become a benchmark in sustainable and optimized water treatment for small and medium-sized volumes.
Furthermore, as an ESUS, InovaYa places social and environmental impact at the heart of its activity. Inclusion and diversity are also an integral part of our HR approach and our DNA. They encourage us to constantly question ourselves and to innovate through our different talents.

Our commitments to quality and environmental performance

    ISO 9001 certification logo
    ISO 14001 certification logo
    Ecovadis logo
ISO 9001 certification logo

ISO 9001 certification: a guarantee of quality and excellence

ISO 9001 certification is an international standard that recognizes authorities that have implemented an effective quality management system and are committed to customer satisfaction, continuous improvement and excellence.

It is issued by independent accredited organizations after a thorough audit of the company's practices.

InovaYa has been ISO 9001 certified since 2021. A surveillance audit is carried out every year to maintain certification.

ISO 14001 certification logo

ISO 14001 certification: towards exemplary environmental performance

ISO 14001 certification is an international standard that recognizes organizations that have implemented an effective environmental management system and are committed to meeting the requirements of environmental performance, continual improvement and accountability.

As with ISO 9001, it is issued by independent accredited bodies following an in-depth audit of the company's practices.

InovaYa has been ISO 14001 certified since 2021. A surveillance audit is carried out every year to maintain certification.

Ecovadis logo

EcoVadis "Committed Company" badge

We have been awarded with a "Committed Company" badge byEcoVadis for our corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance.

Our history

2013-2017

Launch of R&D for an innovative water purification unit

Development of the first water recycling system for autonomous hydroponic greenhouses in Romania

Adaptation of filtration technology to make a fully-fledged unit for drinking water purification.

1st contract won to curb a Hepatitis A epidemic in Romania and winner of the Chivas Venture National Competition (Romania) for technology.

2018

Creation of InovaYa

Creation of InovaYa by its three co-founders: Khaled Al Mezayen, Justine Vidil and Guillaume Lonchamp

Establishment of the company in Lyon and development of the business dedicated to access to drinking water and humanitarian development aid.

1st European call for projects won: Social Innovation Challenge (H2020)

1st exploratory mission to Laos

1st drinking water installation in the Danube Delta - Romania

Development of the unYo® treatment unit for the potabilization of freshwater sources

2019

Diversification of activities and qualifications

After taking part in Ticket For Change's entrepreneurship program, development of a new business dedicated to industrial water treatment and 1st industrial market won.

Development of the first pilots for industrial water treatment and reuse

Qualification of unYo® by the Institut de la Filtration et des Techniques Séparatives (IFTS)

UnYo® awarded the Solar Impulse Foundation label

Development of the aYa unit for securing water networks

Winner of the Rhône-Alpes Diversidays competition, then InovaYa on its board

2020

Commitment and partnerships

InovaYa's SSE commitment written into our articles of association and ESUS (Entreprise Solidaire d'Utilité Sociale) accreditation obtained.

Young Innovative Company (JEI) recognition awarded to InovaYa

1st partnership agreement with Groupe Saur and the Nevers Metropolitan Area for the certification of unYo® by the Agence Régionale de Santé (ARS).

13 new projects for more sustainable water management and improved access to resources

2021

Quality certification and growth

2 patents filed on unYo® operating process and hydraulics

ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification

Launch of a Series A financing round to industrialize our treatment units and grow the company.

2022

Business expansion and industrialization

Developing access to drinking water in the French West Indies

Development of recYf®, a new security unit

2nd partnership with the Saur Group to meet the needs of local authorities in France

ADEME grant for industrialization of unYo®.

12 customers and 16 projects in progress

2023

Company structuring and development

Intensification of industrial water treatment and reuse activities

Moving premises in Chasse-sur-Rhône

Development of new pilots for industry

Winner of the French government's "I-Nov wave 10" innovation competition

Team expansion: + 8 new employees

2024

Digitization and recognition

Development of 3 new digital tools:

Remote machine monitoring tool

Tool for designing and sizing technology bricks

Treatment process optimization tool

Winner of the new IMPACT 40 index for future green unicorns

Development of new pilots for water treatment in the building industry

Black and white portrait of Alexandre Tahar commercial InovaYa
Jordi Comte

Field sales

Black and white portrait of Alexandre Tahar commercial InovaYa
Jordi Comte

Field sales

Strong points Agile
Weak point The music

Born in the place where gravity is weakest and at the foot of the remains of a short-lived 13th-century kingdom, I grew up in the Lyon region and spent a decade in Canada.
As an expert in lead generation, I have worked for major players in the outsourcing sector, in close collaboration with the marketing and sales departments of key accounts, ETIs and SMEs, to help them accelerate sales of technical products. I have implemented efficient multi-channel strategies for the industry, construction, life sciences and IT verticals.
I also have crowd management skills and a passion for variations on a theme, tape echoes, 909s and 303s and all the other numbers that would win me the lottery.
Without needing to read the Meadows report, I've long been convinced of the limits to growth, and I'm working to redirect methods and know-how towards businesses that have an impact on resources.
The issue of water has been with me since childhood, so joining InovaYa was an obvious choice.

Black and white portrait of Alexandre Tahar, R&D Water Treatment Engineer
Alexandre Tahar

R&D Water Treatment Engineer

Black and white portrait of Alexandre Tahar, R&D Water Treatment Engineer
Alexandre Tahar

R&D Water Treatment Engineer

Strong point Her good humor
Weakness Must stop everything when there's... a cat!

Originally from Millau in Aveyron (the most beautiful part of the world, of course, in all objectivity!), I'm passionate about games, sports, hiking, live music, meeting new people and good food. I've always been a committed campaigner for greater social and environmental justice in France and around the world.

 

My initial training was in chemistry, followed by a Master's degree in "water and the environment" at the University of Montpellier, which enabled me to specialize in water treatment through my research internships. I then had the opportunity to complete a doctoral thesis at INRAE Lyon on the tertiary treatment of micropollutants leaving wastewater treatment plants. My career then took me to Ireland, where I worked passionately as a postdoctoral researcher for 8 years on a variety of subjects, but all linked to water and the environment (water treatment and reuse, aquaculture, life cycle analysis).

 

I'm proud to have joined InovaYa, a company that matches my values of environmental awareness, social responsibility and integrity. It's a pleasure to be part of a team that likes to work in good spirits, on exciting, impactful and promising subjects, with the aim of developing tomorrow's water treatment and reuse solutions.

Black and white portrait of Maelys Teppe, InovaYa project manager
Maëlys Teppe

Project Manager

Black and white portrait of Maelys Teppe, InovaYa project manager
Maëlys Teppe

Project Manager

Strong point Jovial
Weaknesses Cashew nuts

Originally from Mâcon, I'm very attached to my region, where I love hiking among the vines and breathing the fresh air. Sports, particularly dance and fitness, play an important role in maintaining my daily balance, not forgetting downhill skiing to recharge my batteries. Attentive to environmental issues and nature, I want to contribute to a more sustainable future. After spending several years in the South of France, I decided to move closer to my home region and the people around me.

I began my higher education with a DUT in chemistry, before going on to join an engineering school where I specialized in formulation chemistry, as part of a sandwich course. After graduating, I began my career in the development of wellness products. My desire to be useful and to give meaning to what I do naturally led me towards a sector that is dear to me, combining the environment and ethics.

The discovery of InovaYa, a company that shares these values, aroused my curiosity. I decided to join this wonderful adventure as a project manager, with the aim of helping to build a more responsible future.

Black and white portrait of Claire Garnier, InovaYa project manager
CLAIRE GARNIER

Project Manager

Black and white portrait of Claire Garnier, InovaYa project manager
CLAIRE GARNIER

Project Manager

Strong point Empathetic
Weak point Grandma's activities

Originally from the Puy-de-Dôme region of France, I grew up in close contact with nature and inherited my family's attachment to biodiversity. With a passion for social and environmental justice, I've long procrastinated about my professional orientation, but I've always known that I wanted to do something useful for society.

 

After studying History, Political Science and a Masters in International Relations at Sciences Po Strasbourg, I began my career in project management with a sustainable development association in Auvergne. I then flew to Quebec, where I lived and worked for three years in the field of artistic entrepreneurship. These experiences in young not-for-profit structures taught me to build project management processes, seek funding, foster multiple partnerships... and to be resourceful!

 

Back in France, I was deeply attracted by InovaYa's vision. I'm delighted to have found a job where the values I hold dear intersect, in favor of water conservation and equitable access to this resource.

Black and white portrait of Moufak Alabdah, InovaYa methods and industrialization technician
MOUFAK ALABDAH

Methods and industrialization technician

Black and white portrait of Moufak Alabdah, InovaYa methods and industrialization technician
MOUFAK ALABDAH

Methods and industrialization technician

Strong point Curious
Weaknesses Haribo candies

Having grown up in Damascus, Syria, I was marked from an early age by a natural curiosity about the world. Eager to explore new horizons, I chose to come to France to pursue my studies and broaden my horizons.

 

With a degree in industrial engineering, I began my career with a small lighting manufacturing company, where I acquired great versatility and mastery of the different stages of a project, from design to installation. I then joined a large industrial company, where I discovered a highly structured and structured environment. While this experience enabled me to perfect my technical skills, it also made me realize the importance of working in a more human environment, where the impact of my work is visible and valued.

 

Driven by these convictions, I joined InovaYa, a company on a human scale that combines high technical standards with environmental values. This position allows me to continue developing my skills and retain a certain flexibility, while contributing to the preservation of the Earth's resources in a warm and collaborative environment.

 

Passionate about nature, cycling and canoeing, I draw my energy from discovery and exploration, always guided by the desire to build a more environmentally-friendly future.

Black and white portrait of Margaux Chavot, InovaYa HR Assistant
MARGAUX CHAVOT

HR Assistant

Black and white portrait of Margaux Chavot, InovaYa HR Assistant
MARGAUX CHAVOT

HR Assistant

Strong point Patient
Weaknesses Chocolate

Originally from the Lyon area, I'm a calm person who loves humor, animals (especially my cat!), music and creative hobbies. I'm also a curious person who likes to learn new things.

 

I've always been interested in people and helping them. When I was younger, I already enjoyed listening attentively to others, advising and helping them. So it was only natural that, after graduating from high school, I decided to study psychology in order to dedicate my professional activity to helping others. After graduating with a degree in psychology, I finally discovered the field of human resources, which suited me better. It allowed me to work in contact with others, which is why I decided to do a work-study HR master's degree.

 

After 2 years' work-study experience with an events company, I discovered InovaYa, which I joined in November 2024. My position as HR Assistant at InovaYa enables me to continue fulfilling my mission of supporting our employees, while contributing to a wonderful human adventure full of meaning.

Black and white portrait of Nelly Mercier, InovaYa purchasing and logistics technician
NELLY MERCIER

Purchasing and logistics technician

Black and white portrait of Nelly Mercier, InovaYa purchasing and logistics technician
NELLY MERCIER

Purchasing and logistics technician

Strong points Enduring
Weaknesses Dark chocolate

Originally from the Lyon region, I've always been attracted by technology: how it works, how it's done, with what and by what process... there's never a shortage of questions. This curiosity guided my educational choices, naturally leading me to a Bac F3 in electrical engineering, followed by a BTS in Graphic Industries in Production.

 

Driven by strong values, I'm loyal and protective, and I don't take kindly to injustice. Family is very important to me and taking care of my elders is a duty.

 

So, after 25 years in the graphics industry, it became vital to give meaning to my work. Joining InovaYa was a real revelation, giving me the opportunity to play a part every day in building the world of tomorrow.

Black and white portrait of Aliénor Le Morvan, InovaYa R&D student-engineer.
ALIÉNOR LE MORVAN

Student R&D engineer

Black and white portrait of Aliénor Le Morvan, InovaYa R&D student-engineer.
ALIÉNOR LE MORVAN

Student R&D engineer

Strong point Determined
Weak point The sport

I grew up in Côtes-d'Armor in a Franco-German family before taking my Franco-German baccalauréat in Rennes. I then entered INSA Lyon to begin my engineering studies, specializing in the environment.

 

Ever since my childhood, as the daughter of a farmer and aware of the importance of preserving the environment, I've been fully aware of the issues linked to water resources, which are crucial to our food supply. Aware of the impact of water management on food production, I have been involved in various associations to defend a sustainable and equitable food system.

 

And today, in order to reconcile my professional career with my values, I have chosen to do my work-study at InovaYa, where I can get involved in a project that combines social and environmental concerns.

Black and white portrait of Mohamed Laaliaoui, InovaYa process engineer
MOHAMED LAALIAOUI

Process Engineer

Black and white portrait of Mohamed Laaliaoui, InovaYa process engineer
MOHAMED LAALIAOUI

Process Engineer

Strong point Voluntary
Weaknesses The puzzles

As a native of both Savoie and Haute-Savoie, I'm delighted to be able to enjoy both regions to the full (long live the lakes and mountains).

 

Trained as a chemist, I chose to focus on the chemistry of water, and more specifically on processes for its treatment and reuse. Through my work, I have the opportunity to act in the service of human dignity to facilitate access to drinking water, but also to reduce its use on an industrial scale in order to preserve the planet.

 

Joining InovaYa is therefore an opportunity for me to make my own contribution to the enhancement of water resources, all within a committed team.

The strong allies of our adventure

AURA Region logo
BPI France logo
Somudimec logo
Aderly logo
Axelera logo
France Water Team logo
French Tech logo
Ticket For Change logo
logo Vienne Condrieu agglomération eco agency
Saur logo
Plastic Odyssey logo
Ademe logo
IFM logo
3D Process logo
VSEP logo
Sigma Group logo
logo Diversidays
logo Leviathan Dynamics
logo Chasse Sur Rhône
ATEP logo
Cosmetic Valley logo
logo Mouvement Impact France
logo ARIA AURA
logo Cluster EMS
Solaronics logo
logo Agua Greentec