The Norman invention Skwheel shone during the last edition of the Paris Fair. By winning the second prize of the Lépine Competitionaccompanied by a gold medal, these all-terrain electric skis confirmed their immense potential. Already noticed at CES in Las Vegas where it received a Innovation Awardthe company founded by Antoine Massebeuf reaches a major milestone, validating years of research and development.
How do these new types of skis work?
The idea was born from a personal frustration of Antoine Massebeuf, that of not being able to practice his passion for skiing often enough. He therefore imagined the world’s first electric skis. Each ski is equipped with a motor and wheels, the objective being to faithfully reproduce the sensations of gliding, in particular thecarving effect so dear to powder lovers.
Two models are currently offered for sale. One is designed for purely urban usewhile the second, a off-road modelcan reach an impressive speed of 60 km/h. The latter allows you to venture on varied surfaces such as hard sand, grass or forest trails. He is even approved for public roadsall of which is protected by six patents filed with the National Institute of Industrial Property.
What impact did the recognition of the Concours Lépine have?
The prize obtained does not come with a financial reward, but its value lies elsewhere. Above all, it offers a credibility label invaluable for the young shoot. For its founder, it is confirmation of his status as an inventor, a recognition validated by a jury of recognized experts and engineers. There media visibility was immediate and made it possible to make the concept known to a much wider audience.
On a commercial level, the repercussions were direct and significant. Following the announcement of the results, the start-up recorded a ten pre-orders in three hours only. The public at the Paris Fair also showed keen interest, with numerous tests on the demonstration track installed near the stand, convincing the most skeptical.
What is Skwheel’s development strategy?
The company has wisely expanded its business model beyond simple sales to individuals via crowdfunding. It now targets professionals with a concept called “ E-Schools “. The idea is to support rental companies and ski schools who wish to offer a new sliding activity summer.
This turnkey partnership includes not only the supply of skis, but also complete marketing support and booking platform dedicated. The ambition is clear: to allow instructors to diversify their activities in the face of climatic challenges and the lack of snow. The company is also looking internationally, with advanced projects in the United States, New Zealand and Japan.
