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Bertrand Piccard

Bertrand Piccard Explorer, psychiatrist and pioneer of sustainable innovation

Explorer, psychiatrist and clean-technology pioneer, Bertrand Piccard turns adventure into a laboratory for innovation and transformation.

Languages
English, French
Duration
45 to 90 minutes
Formats
Talk, keynote, masterclass, panel discussion

Biography

Exploration as a legacy

Bertrand Piccard comes from a family of explorers. His grandfather, Auguste, explored the stratosphere; his father, Jacques, the ocean depths. A psychiatrist and hypnosis specialist, he carries this legacy forward with an interest in both the limits of technology and the psychological barriers that stop people from taking action.

Pushing the boundaries of the possible

In 1999, together with Brian Jones, he completed the first non-stop round-the-world balloon flight. In 2016, Solar Impulse completed the first round-the-world flight in a solar-powered aircraft, demonstrating that clean technologies can open up paths previously considered impossible.

Changing altitude

For Bertrand Piccard, innovation begins with a change of perspective. His talks show how to question habits, accept uncertainty and turn constraints into opportunities for action.

Reconciling ecology and the economy

Through the Solar Impulse Foundation, he champions clean, profitable solutions that can cut emissions while improving efficiency and competitiveness. Since 2026, he has also advised the European Commission on energy-related issues.

Climate Impulse

With Raphaël Dinelli, Bertrand Piccard is developing Climate Impulse, which aims to complete a non-stop round-the-world flight powered by green hydrogen in 2030. The project illustrates his conviction that major innovations often arise from cooperation between different areas of expertise around a shared ambition.

My vision of ecological transition is peaceful and unifying, yet we still talk about leading a revolution.

— Bertrand Piccard
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Conferences

Bertrand Piccard draws on his aeronautical feats, his experience as a psychiatrist and his commitment to clean technologies to help organisations rethink innovation, ecological transition and leadership. His talks show how to turn constraints into opportunities for action.

01

Changing altitude: seeing differently to act differently

Gaining altitude to break free from automatic responses.

When faced with difficulties, we tend to repeat the same methods. Bertrand Piccard shows how to change perspective, move beyond certainties and regain freedom of action in the face of change.

  • Breaking out of habitual reflexes
  • Questioning the old answers
  • Turning constraints into opportunities
  • Developing clarity and agility
  • Regaining genuine freedom of action
Ideal for Executive committees (COMEX, CODIR), managers, transformations and leadership seminars
Format Talk or keynote · 45 to 90 min
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02

The impossible as a driver of innovation

What we believe to be unachievable is often what we have not yet learned to think.

Solar Impulse seemed impossible: flying an aircraft without fuel. Bertrand Piccard shows how a strong vision, the right skills and the questioning of habits can turn a bold idea into reality.

  • Stimulating a culture of innovation
  • Rallying people around an ambitious vision
  • Moving forward despite doubt and scepticism
  • Getting different areas of expertise to work together
  • Turning failures into lessons
Ideal for Innovation, R&D, industry, project teams, strategic conventions and transformations
Format Talk, keynote or masterclass · 60 to 90 min
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03

The efficiency revolution

Produce better, consume less and turn the transition into a competitive advantage.

The energy transition also depends on making better use of resources. Bertrand Piccard shows how efficiency and the solutions already available can cut costs and emissions and turn environmental constraints into economic opportunities.

  • Cutting costs and waste
  • Linking transition and competitiveness
  • Strengthening energy sovereignty
  • Deploying solutions that are available today
  • Rallying people around a positive ecology
Ideal for Industry, energy, buildings, mobility, finance, CSR and public institutions
Format Talk or keynote · 45 to 90 min
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04

Piloting through uncertainty

Deciding when you control neither the winds, nor the weather, nor all the data.

Drawing on his adventures by balloon and solar-powered aircraft, Bertrand Piccard shows how to accept uncertainty, assess risks and act on what you can really control to move towards your goal.

  • Staying clear-headed under pressure
  • Distinguishing useful risk from needless danger
  • Acting without having all the answers
  • Adjusting your route without losing sight of your goal
  • Making uncertainty a space for creativity
Ideal for Executives, crisis management, project teams, transformation and risk-exposed environments
Format Talk or masterclass · 60 to 90 min
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05

Climate Impulse: Innovation Born of Exploration

Bringing together the right expertise to achieve what everyone deems impossible.

With Climate Impulse, Bertrand Piccard shows how to turn an extreme technological ambition into a collective project. He shares the keys to innovating, managing risk and uniting different areas of expertise around a common goal.

  • Uniting people around a shared ambition
  • Getting science, industry and entrepreneurship to work together
  • Steering a complex project over the long term
  • Turning technical constraints into innovations
  • Linking exploration, competitiveness and decarbonisation
Ideal for Industry, aeronautics, mobility, energy, R&D, innovation and executive conventions
Format Talk or keynote · 45 to 90 min
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For which events?

Bertrand Piccard speaks at the key moments where people, performance and impact matter.

  • Seminars and conventions
  • Leadership committees and strategic talks
  • Product launches
  • CSR and climate events
  • Institutions, schools and universities

Possible formats

Formats adaptable to your goals and context.

  • Inspiring talk
  • Impactful keynote
  • Participative workshop
  • Panel
  • Webinar

Why choose them?

A unique experience serving strong, useful messages.

  • Field experience backing the message
  • Authentic and inspiring stories
  • Human, demanding and accessible approach
  • Tailored content aligned with your stakes
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Videos

Discover Bertrand Piccard on stage and the way he connects exploration, innovation, psychology and ecological transition.

Looking for more content or a specific clip? Contact us
The pioneering spirit in the service of a positive economy 34:52
Conference clip

The pioneering spirit in the service of a positive economy

Bertrand Piccard shows how innovation and boldness can help build a more sustainable, high-quality and positive economy.

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What are the solutions to global warming? 39:50
Conference clip

What are the solutions to global warming?

Bertrand Piccard explains how innovation, energy efficiency and responsible finance can make the ecological transition profitable.

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Changing the World by Changing Altitude 1:01:25
Conference clip

Changing the World by Changing Altitude

Bertrand Piccard invites us to gain altitude in order to move beyond certainties, change how we perceive difficulties and imagine new solutions.

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Publications

Réaliste, soyons logiques autant qu’écologiques — 2021
Objectif Soleil – L’aventure Solar Impulse — 2017
Changer d’altitude — 2014
Le tour du monde en 20 jours — 1999
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