The innovation of the young shoot from Nice is sparking. Founded in 2018 by Pierre Fourlinnie, Muriel Etievant and Alexandre Mély, the startup Today shows a very good development. His product? A connected and eco-responsible digital electrical panel. Which targets individuals and small tertiary. “Nothing to do with the Linky meter, explains the founding director Pierre Fourlinnie, which is an electric meter belonging to the electricity supplier. Below this meter, you have an electrical panel with all the circuit breakers. These are two different bodies and complementary and our innovation replaces only the electrical panel. We make it digital and connected to regulate energy consumption as much as possible according to use. The savings are substantial.”
Marketing in one year
After recent tests, the Oghji board meets the normative requirements for the small tertiary sector [il répondait déjà à celles concernant le résidentiel, ndlr]. This is why marketing can start in both markets. This is the reason for this first equity round [auprès d’investisseurs privés, ndlr] which has just been completed for an amount of 1.3 million euros. “With the objective this year, continues the leader, of reaching 2.4 million euros thanks to the public aid that we are in the process of requesting. We intend to accelerate the next steps until marketing, that is to say that is to say, the development of the final product, the pilot phase of industrialization and marketing. First in a single-phase version of the product within a year, then in a three-phase version within two years”the startuppers advance.
The startup had already completed a first fundraising in 2021 for an amount of 400,000 euros before receiving several distinctions for its innovation, including the Grand Prix for sustainable construction & living environment innovation organized by Domolandes in 2021, and the first prize of the Digital InPulse competition organized by Huawei France last year, endowed with 30,000 euros.
Tomorrow’s energy efficiency challenges
Why is this digital electrical panel, which costs twice as much as a conventional panel, interesting? “It allows you to manage and optimize your electricity consumption via remote control of the circuits thanks to a mobile application, remote control, monitoring of your fine consumption, intelligent routines for managing electrical energy… All thanks to undeniable ergonomics.”
In short, the device designed and assembled in France meets the energy efficiency challenges of tomorrow. This is its great strength and what arouses the interest of investors.
For now, there are three full-time employees working for Oghji, six in all working on the project. “This fundraising will allow us to recruit to accelerate the marketing, says Pierre Fourlinnie. Developers first, then salespeople.
Network of electricians
How will the product be distributed? “We are going to set up a network of partner electricians. This does not mean that a non-partner electrician cannot install our product, but one who is will have advantages such as product connectivity. He will receive remote alerts in the event of an electrical fault and will be able to carry out a pre-diagnosis remotely. Which is absolutely impossible with a conventional electrical panel. Thus, it is no longer up to the customer to call in the event of a problem, the electrician will come before the there is a problem. In addition, specifiers will be able to more easily offer maintenance contracts to their customers.” Oghji is good for the planet, good for the wallet and good for the local economy. A digital and connected electrical panel that is sure to excite investors.
More than ever, the Oghji team is fully charged to face the future.
