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- Hackathon Gaïa – Stratégies et enjeux éthiques – Cabamix/JM Polymers...
The end of the semester Gaïa is also the time of the Hackathon Strategizing and ethical challenges. Its 5th edition took place on 8 and 9 April 2025 around the problem presented by Arnaud Claude, General Manager of the company Cabamix/JM Polymers.
This immersive experience co-designed and animated by Valérie Claude-Gaudillat, Sandrine Stervinou, Sonia Geay, Cathy Masson, Miloud Saadna, Matyas Schegerin , teachers at Audencia and the Learning & Teaching Designers, Erika Logeais and Firas Abdelmalek, brought together 280 first-year Gaia master’s students for two days of strategic reflection, collaboration and creativity.
USEFUL LINKS
Hackathon Gaïa – Strategizing and ethical challenges – Olga – 4th editionObjectives of the hackathon
The launch of the Hackathon took place at the Nantes Edit Amphitheatre of Atlantic Campus with a presentation of the following objectives:
- Implementing/Advancing Your Strategy Skills
- Make strategic proposals related to Gaia (create and share value for a more responsible world)
- discover a new field.
- Working collaboratively on a real and current case
Problematic
Then, the students were challenged with a crucial question:
How can Cabamix/JM Polymers strengthen its competitive advantage and achieve its growth goals in the context of (potential) new regulations?
Beyond the practical training on strategy, the choice of this real and timely case allowed us to expose students:
- to the realities of industrial SMEs in Europe;
- to the challenges posed by market constraints when it comes to promoting organic/recycled products.
To guide students in their reflections, each facilitator asked them to prepare deliverables.
Knowing that the students worked in country-based teams (Scandinavia, Benelux, Italy, Spain).
First deliverable
Objectives: Analyze changes in the external environment and their potential impact on Cabamix/JM Polymers
- In a context of market changes, what should be the strategic consequences for producers of plant alternatives in 2030?
- Describe the strategy of Cabamix/JM Polymers; what is its competitive advantage and sustainability (sustainability/CSR) in the context of market changes?
An exhibition gallery was created to allow all students and facilitator to explore the work and to put stickers on it to show their appreciation/ encouragement of the idea.
Second deliverable
Objective: Develop recommendations to Cabamix/JM Polymers to strengthen its competitive advantage in a Gaia environment
- What are your business strategy recommendations (e.g., operating model, value chain, resources and competencies) to Cabamix/JM Polymers that match their growth objectives and industry trends?
- Do you have any other recommendations for Cabamix/JM Polymers regarding the company’s strategy? (e.g. Specialization/Diversification? Internal development/Alliances/Acquisitions, Domestic market/Internationalization?)
Class vote:
In the early afternoon of day 2, participants took time to finalize their materials and prepare their pitches.
Then, each room voted for the best presentation that will be carried by its group during the final vote at the Nantes Edit. Each student had a quota of 100 points to allocate on the projects in their class.
- Wooclap A480 – Group 1: Cathy MASSON
- Wooclap Room 147 – Group 2: Matyas SCHEGERIN
- Wooclap Room 335 – Group 3: Miloud SAADNA
- Wooclap Room 347 – Group 4: Sonia GEAY
- Wooclap Room 437 – Group 5: Firas ABDELMALEK
- Wooclap Room 441 – Group 6: Sandrine STERVINOU
- Wooclap Room 447 – Group 7: Valérie CLAUDE-GAUDILLAT
Final pitches and choice:
It’s time to decide the participants' work and close this Hackathon! The final presentations allowed the 7 winning teams to defend very different recommendations.
