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SKEMA student Mathieu Merian showcases his startup at Paris Air Show and VivaTech
Mathieu Merian, a fourth-year student in the Global BBA programme at SKEMA, is the founder of the startup "Somanity", incubated at SKEMA Ventures. His aim is to produce ergonomic, adaptable, and 3D-printed exoskeletons. This student-entrepreneur has won the entrepreneurship award from the Foundation of the University Côte d'Azur. He recently pitched his project in front of CNES officials and the officials of the French Air and Space Force (AAE).
A certain humility and a desire to succeed. These qualities describe Mathieu's character quite well. Since 2021, the student entrepreneur has been steadily carving his path: collaborating with the European Space Agency (ESA), hospital institutions, and now, defence and aerospace actors. To gain visibility, he actively participates in major tech gatherings. The well-deserved recognition from the Foundation of the University Côte d'Azur has motivated the student to grant legal status and share capital to Somanity by July. Until now, Mathieu's project had been financed by another one of his companies, My3D, making this a significant stride forward. "This status will reassure future investors and enable us to grow and structure ourselves," explains the entrepreneur.
One million euros to accelerate growth
To expand his research and development capabilities and deliver a viable final prototype, Mathieu aims to assemble a team of senior engineers, in addition to the existing group of around ten junior collaborators at Somanity. "To accelerate our growth, we are looking to raise between 800,000 and 1.2 million euros. We are soliciting large industrial groups to achieve this," he asserts.
Exhibition at the Paris Air Show
At the invitation of the Sud Provence-Alpes Côte d'Azur region and the Sophia Antipolis Agglomeration Community, Mathieu had the opportunity of explaining the innovative concept of Somanity at popular events such as the Paris Air Show and VivaTech. Among the distinguished audience were General Philippe Adam (head of the French Army's Space Command), and officials from the CNES (National Centre for Space Studies). "These shows are important for us as they allow us to generate interest. Space and defence are sectors with which we want to work," explains Mathieu.
"To obtain assistance, we have established a connection with Safe cluster, the French competitiveness cluster focused on aerospace, security and safety sectors. What want to get closer to the Directorate General of Armament (DGA) to eventually propose our prototype of super-soldier and super-firefighter exoskeletons, capable of carrying heavy loads, and providing ballistic and thermal protection to the fighter or firefighter. The development is underway and we are working with European companies," he adds.
The medical field still in sight
In addition to defence and aerospace, the entrepreneur wants to offer his medical devices to patients soon. "The upcoming commercialisation of hand or foot prosthetics to medical establishments is part of our strategy. We are working with a Spanish partner who is capable of producing exoskeletons adapted to medical standards."
