Olivier Vandermoten, a mobile telecommunications expert, is seeking to start his own company. The Technology Transfer Acceleration Company Linksium in Grenoble was where he met Professor Tan-Phu Vuong. He is the inventor of a promising invention concerning the transmissibility wave. Olivier Vandermoten explains that the link was made between my experience in telecommunications and this innovation, as well as the potential market.
Francois Vincent joined the adventure, having 30 years experience in HP research and development. He created Lichens in March 2021. This innovation, which is a filter attached to a window and printed using conductive patterns, will "improve passively and without energy input, the reception of electromagnetic waves", is what the objective is.
These electromagnetic signals often cut off when a door is opened. This is more common today with new thermally insulated materials. Lichens now plans to bring this technology to market in two years, and to be able to hire 15 employees within the company in five years.
Lichens, a member of the Deeptech community was able to accelerate the development of its company in 2022 with the support of its fundraising. This is an essential step in the development of start-ups that aim to produce breakthrough innovations. Olivier Vandermoten agrees that the support from Bpifrance was crucial for our fundraising. It is crucial to know where to find funding and how to approach them. This is something we don't always think about when starting a business.
Lichens was also able get in touch the Deeptech community network of start-ups. It facilitates the exchanges between companies with almost the same concerns and innovations can be developed over the long-term before being put on the market. Lichens, who was the beneficiary of the French Tech grant by Bpifrance, was able this year to hire its first employee, and to help it structure its development.
Olivier Vandermoten stresses the importance of being accompanied in the field of innovation. This is because it requires a long-term commitment from Deeptech start ups. There are also issues related to financing, recruitment, and protecting innovation. These are all professions. Our sector needs to be supported right from the beginning.
