Recognized in IESE’s 40under40 awards as the Entrepreneur with the most social impact, Gregoire de Hemptinne (MBA ’17) — software engineer, passionate mountain climber, and co-founder of Shayp — sees tackling water waste as just another peak to climb. At Shayp, sustainability and social impact take center stage.
Shayp is an AI-powered water tracking and anomaly detection solution. Smart sensors are installed on existing water meters, enabling real-time monitoring of water flow. Within less than an hour, the system can detect anomalies in water usage. The platform then sends an alert — helping users act quickly to conserve resources. Already deployed in over 9,000 commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings, Shayp’s technology has saved 27 billion liters of water since its inception — including 8 billion in 2025 alone — with the bold aim of reaching 100 billion liters by 2027. Clients also benefit immediately, achieving an average 22% reduction in water use and a positive ROI within the first year.
In 2025, Shayp launched a new product line and business model focused on water stewardship for both corporations and society at large. The company combines the benefits of its technology — already implemented in schools and public buildings — with the water usage commitments of corporates seeking replenishment projects to meet ESG goals. This approach enables companies to reduce their overall footprint by claiming the savings generated in public facilities.
In his TEDxIESEBarcelona talk, “Are you crazy enough? Go for impact,” Gregoire shares his philosophy with quiet conviction: “You don’t have to be a top performer — you’ll learn along the way; there’s no such thing as failure, and small steps will lead to big impact.” This mindset reflects Shayp’s journey: A willingness to learn, embrace incremental progress, and stay committed to ambitious goals.
At IESE we celebrate ventures with purpose. Gregoire’s story — which brings together engineering, environmental stewardship, and resilient teamwork — embodies the entrepreneurial spirit IESE seeks to nurture. His journey reminds us that innovation is not always about grand breakthroughs; often, it is about aligning societal impact, stakeholders, and sustainable business models.
👉 Explore Gregoire’s venture, Shayp
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