By Candace Wofford
There are new batteries being made with just paper and enzymes that could revolutionize the energy and power industries when it comes to wearables, IoT, medical devices, and logistics. This past week I had the opportunity to sit down with Audrey Martineau and Louwra Baddy of the French American Chamber of Commerce (FACC) Texas division along with Dr. Marie Berthuel of the award-winning French tech startup company Bioenzymatic Fuel Cells (BeFC) to hear about the latest eco-friendly low-power electronic solutions and how a French Tech Visa could help make a dream move to France a reality.
BeFC will be in Austin in March for the 2023 SXSW event to receive their Innovation Award. This is the 4th innovation award and 29th overall award that the company has received since their start in May 2020. Despite the company forming during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, it survived and even grew significantly in part due to the need to respond to quarantine protocols. Dr. Berthuel, Product Manager and Co-Founder, explained that because they were able to raise money quickly, they were then able to work in the lab frequently while remaining socially distant, and meetings were all held over zoom, which streamlined the process. The company started in a 400 m2 lab on a university campus and is now transferring to its own facility of 1200 m2 in March, the greater space allowing for greater production of their two main products – BeFC paper biofuel cells and BeFC flexPCB (printed circuit board).
The BeFC paper biofuel cells are eco-friendly and non-toxic, utilize metal-free and plastic-free technology, and lead to lower disposal complexity and reduced costs. The stack of paper layers is made up of carbon electrical contact, carbon electrode, and cellulose microfluidic layer. The BeFC flexPCB has thin, flexible and lightweight form factor, has a demonstrated portfolio of sensor and wireless modules, and an ultra-low-power hardware and optimized firmware.
During their industrial phase, BeFC established B2B platforms with logistics, medical, healthcare, animal care, and waste management companies. 2023 is set to be a year of growth for the company and they hope to have B2C batteries in the next 2 years. With this growth comes the need for more employees. Thus, they have partnered with the French American Chamber of Commerce to streamline the process of hiring non-French citizens. Baddy explained that the French Tech Visa is a simplified, fast-track scheme for non-EU startup employees, founders, and investors to obtain a residence permit for France. Thanks to this new visa, American talents can work in France for innovative tech startups such as BeFC for a duration of 4 years. Martineau added that the FACC Texas acts as a facilitator to develop business connections for its members and is dedicated to furthering business opportunities between Texas and France. In other words, to seduce Texans to join the French Tech Industry.
To live for 4 years in and around Grenoble, France sounds like a dream. Grenoble is seductive in and of itself as it serves as the capital of the Alps and the Dauphiné, is a science hub with a University, and a City of Art and Culture. Attractions include lively squares, picturesque shopping lanes lined with old houses, countless museums, relaxing botanical gardens, and stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains from La Bastille fort. In addition to living in the gateway to the Alps, you would also have the dream opportunity to work for a company dedicated to bridging the gap between generations with a culture that prides itself on hiring employees with interdisciplinary, multicultural, and diverse backgrounds. Dr. Berthuel shared how each employee is taught how to be a leader and how to represent the company in and out of the field of batteries. Obviously if you are applying to work at BeFC, then you have the credentials, but can you also bring something new to the table? That is one of the number one goals of this new company: to have new and innovative thinkers providing an eco-friendly energy solution to enable the next generation of low-environmental impact electronic solutions.
If being a part of a French tech startup sparks your interest, then you must talk with FACC. Once you apply and are offered a job at the company, then FACC can assist with creating your French government sponsored Visa. They are hosting La French Tech events during SXSW. You can join talks with Thomas Pesquet, the first French astronaut to command the international space station, and Barbara Belvisi, founder and CEO of Interstellar Lab whose mission is to design and build bioregenerative villages on earth and beyond. If you are in the Austin area March 11-13, then be sure to check in with Audrey and Louwra of FACC and watch Dr. Hammond, CEO of BeFC, accept the 2023 innovation award. With FACC and BeFC you can turn that dream of living in France into a reality. Je vous souhaite bonne chance!
Candace Wofford is a University of Texas alum, where she holds her undergraduate and graduate degrees. She has her MS in Marine Science with a focus on Reproductive Endocrinology. She is an expert in the Social and Emotional Learning Field where she shares her passion to high-school students to inspire them to become the best versions of themselves. She is a mother of two beautiful children, Jace (5) and Piper Beverly (1.5) so together they are PB&J and she is happily married to her Action Sports Expert Hubby, Jade.
