Eljar Akhgarnusch

Senior Innovation Leader @E.On Group Innovation

Palo Alto, CA, US

Co-managing the world’s largest open innovation program, called “Free Electrons”, designed to bring disruptive energy solutions to market o Continuously improving the yearly standard agenda of the program o Influencing the marketing strategy of the program to improve reach o Steering external service providers acting as PMOs to deliver results o Preparing each onsite with the other utility partners to be efficient o Co-Leading the event management for program events hosted by E.ON o Enhancing collaboration with utility partners (investments, sharing, etc.) o Ensuring that E.ON makes optimal use of the program to increase BV • Sustaining and enhancing E.ON’s network with the startup ecosystem and beyond in the Silicon Valley: Enabling partnerships, insights and more • Scouting startups and other partnership possibilities relevant to E.ON’s businesses and investigating the potential match • Connecting relevant E.ON stakeholder (mostly C-level) to innovative startups and other collaboration or investment opportunities • Preparing and conducting delegation visits from C-level E.ON colleagues to raise awareness and interest in the US outpost of E.ON • Expand the functionalities of the US outpost to seize opportunities, which increase E.ON’s Business Value: e. g. pave the way for market entries of E.ON subsidiaries