It's an idea that no one had thought of yet: an anti-drowning t-shirt for children.
If it looks like a simple anti-UV swimsuit out of the water, its technology deploys when you fall into a swimming pool, a pond or into the sea. In less than three seconds, the t-shirt is inflates and keeps the child's head above water while lying on his back.
A product that is all the more useful because drowning represents
“the leading cause of death from everyday accidents among those under 25,”
according to the Ministry of the Sea. Every year, around 1,000 deaths – including 400 during the period summer - occur after drowning.
Behind this innovation, which at first glance is simple to develop, are in reality years of work.
The story begins in 2011, when Philippe Rouvier and Thibaut Choulet met in an engineering school.
While still students, they became friends and already discussed the idea of an anti-drowning t-shirt.
“We said to ourselves that we were not legitimate on the subject, so we dismissed it
,” recalls Philippe Rouvier.
The two engineers then moved towards the aeronautical industry.
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Fifteen months of testing
But, in May 2021, their idea resurfaced.
Philippe Rouvier helplessly witnesses the drowning of a little girl a few meters from him.
After some research, the engineer was surprised not to see a product that solved this problem, apart from traditional armbands or swimming vests.
Philippe Rouvier returns to see Thibaut Choulet in the summer of 2021, with the idea of developing the product they had in mind.
The two engineers then put on the hat of entrepreneurs and joined a business incubator.
“We left our respective jobs and created our company in December 2021
,” says Philippe Rouvier.
In 2022, the two men are working full time on their project and making
“more than 50 versions of the product”
.
“There are a lot of technical constraints that we didn’t know about,”
admits Philippe Rouvier.
You need more than 100 criteria to be internationally certified.”
The t-shirt has notably passed several tests, such as tensile strength greater than 100 kg, even though the product is intended for children weighing 10 to 30 kg.
“We thought we could do it in six months, but it ended up taking us fifteen
,” emphasizes Philippe Rouvier.
If they patent their invention in 2022, the entrepreneurs participate at the same time in the Crédit Mutuel innovation competition and are among the four winners.
A happiness that will open the doors to success for them.
A few weeks later, a representative of the show “Who wants to be my associate”, broadcast on M6, contacted them and offered to participate in January 2023.
“We were a little hesitant because our product was not yet certified and we were just launching our first production on our assembly line on the outskirts of Toulouse
,” recalls Philippe Rouvier.
Their participation ultimately paid off, with a deal concluded with entrepreneur Anthony Bourbon: 20% of the company against 200,000 euros of investment.
Also read “I set a limit of 500,000 euros”: in the portfolio of Éric Larchevêque, investor in “Who wants to be my partner?”
on M6
“Buying peace”
In 2023, it’s the consecration.
The prizes are multiplying for Floatee: a gold medal at the Lépine international Paris competition, the Mayor of Paris prize, the first prize of the finalists and the medal of the French Society of Medicine, Exercise and Sport (SFMES). ).
So many awards that caused t-shirt orders to explode:
“We received requests from all over the world, which we are still sorting through today.”
Last summer, the company even experienced three stock shortages in the middle of the season, a reward after
“years of working like crazy”
.
But for Philippe Rouvier, the greatest reward remains saving children.
And to help parents, like Bernadette, 43 years old and mother of four children.
A few months ago, her youngest, 4 years old, was playing on the edge of a pond.
“He tried to grab a stick and fell,”
she says
, “but the vest came off before we intervened, keeping him out of the water.”
If she recognizes that the sale price of 149 euros is
“quite expensive”
, Bernadette emphasizes the quality of the product and
“the purchase of peace of mind”
.
Last year, Floatee sold nearly 7,000 t-shirts and expects 20,000 sales this year.
“At the end of February, we will have more than 100 distributor stores and we hope for more than 250 at the end of the year
,” predicts Philippe Rouvier.
The product also helps to strengthen the French economic fabric.
“The textile is manufactured near Lyon and the part that grows around Marseille
,” specifies the entrepreneur.
Five people were also recruited on an interim basis last year, and a first employee was hired.
To avoid future stock shortages, several tens of thousands of parts are being produced, with a rate that will be accelerated as summer approaches.
Added to this is the marketing of a version for adults, which started in January 2024,
“for those who practice water sports or for professionals”
.
From now on, the French nugget dreams big.
“We hope to make ourselves known in Europe, then develop in the United States from 2025
,” aims Philippe Rouvier.
A major challenge to take on, with new certifications to validate.
To finance this project, Floatee is organizing a fundraising of 2 million euros which the founders hope to
“conclude by the end of April”
.
“It’s the experience of a lifetime”
, breathes, smile on his lips, Philippe Rouvier.
If the two creators quickly obtained the trust of their collaborators, they
“now regularly give their time to young entrepreneurs”
.
Support which will perhaps allow us to create a new beautiful French entrepreneurial story.