An engineer by training, Guillaume Nesa decided to specialize in exhaled air. An unusual science which led to the creation of Olythe and makes it possible, today, to measure alcohol levels and, tomorrow, to detect serious illnesses. Meeting with this entrepreneur.
The journey of Guillaume Nesa, founder of Olythe
Can you go back over your journey?
I have a mechanical engineering background. I did my apprenticeship training at Arts & Métiers ParisTech, in Aix-en-Provence. I then completed a dual skills management course at the IAE in Aix. It allowed me to have technical and managerial skills, and to familiarize myself with business management.
After my diploma, I worked for 10 years in an SME that manufactures water and air analyzers. It was while looking into exhaled air analyzes that we had the idea, with an investor, to democratize the breathalyzer and offer a much more reliable product.
How did you get started on the entrepreneurial adventure?
I worked in an SME which unfortunately had to cease its activity and it was the opportunity to create something. My background in the world of air analysis helped me quickly move forward with the creation of Ocigo, a product that combines miniature technology and an acceptable price. It passes with flying colors all the essential standards to be marketed on the European and American markets. Since 2020, we have been selling Ocigo in France, Europe and the United States, since the beginning of 2021.
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The story of Olythe and Ocigo
How to describe Olythe and Ocigo in a few words?
Olythe is a young company which has developed its own exhaled air alcohol sensor and which has made its own product: Ocigo. Today, Olythe designs and manufactures, in its premises, one of the best connected breathalyzers on the market.
We also offer products and services related to alcohol consumption and are present in the market consumer and professional. On the professional side, we develop services and applications dedicated to companies that manage a fleet of vehicles. Ocigo is connected to an application and will identify the driver of a truck using a facial recognition algorithm. This ensures that the right person is blowing. The manager will then be able to monitor the consumption of his employees, while respecting personal data.
How does Ocigo work for the general public?
We have developed a simpler application, which does not transfer any data. That said, if we want to take a photo and share the result with our parents or friends, we can. Since July 1, a law requires beverage distributors to offer breathalyzers and we are present on this subject.
Do you plan to offer your product to the police?
This is what we are going to do soon. But we need to offer different features and obtain other certifications. Today, Ocigo is able to meet this demand and we have very good feedback from our customers. However, to equip law enforcement with our product, we must respond to a call for tenders.
Can you imagine a device that allows a vehicle to be blocked if the person tests positive with Ocigo?
We have been asked by a manufacturer and integrators to set up this system. These are things we are working on.
Where are you with Olythe’s development?
We are starting the prospecting part abroad and we will soon be looking for candidates for VIE. For the moment, we market our product in Europe via marketplaces specialized. We are always looking for interns or apprentices, whether on the business or R&D side. We surround ourselves with many students and young graduates who are above all very invested.
The future of Olythe in the medical sector
How do you imagine Olythe’s future?
Olythe is a company that tends to specialize in the analysis of exhaled air. We have two objectives:
- Consolidate our technology in future law enforcement products. We want to offer them products that are less bulky and less expensive.
- Create products capable of measuring volatile organic compounds and revealing pathologies.
