After finishing his PhD studies at the University of Bath, Jules HAMMOND returned to his birth city of Grenoble in 2017 to join the research group of Dr. Serge COSNIER. Jules had been suggested by his former colleague Dr. Andrew GROSS, whom he had co-created a previous startup at the University of Bath, UK, focusing on novel nanogap biosensors.
After joining the research group, it was clear there was an opportunity to pivot the implantable biosensor technology that the academics were working on to a new market segment. Dr. Michael HOLZINGER had already started exploring the use of biofuel cells to power single-use and/or point-of-care, such as digital pregnancy tests, and this would be one of the motivations to reinvent the way we power microelectronic devices.
It was at this point “BigPad”, [https://polynat.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Activity-Report-2018-2019-EN_compressed.pdf] a Carnot PolyNat project was born under the support of Dr. Serge COSNIER and Prof. Redouane BORSALI. PolyNat supports the eco-design of innovative and functional bio-sourced materials. With an incentive to encourage the development of new materials and environmentally-friendly chemistry, Institute Carnot helped finance the project to provide a proof-of-concept paper-based biofuel cell to power digital pregnancy and ovulation tests.
The project brought together four inter-disciplinary academics, Dr. Jules HAMMOND (nanoelectronics and bioelectrochemistry), Dr. Michael HOLZINGER (carbon chemistry and electrochemistry), Dr. Andrew Gross (surface chemistry and electrochemistry), and Prof. Jean-Francis BLOCH (paper physics, microfluidics, and chemical engineering). The diverse and complementary backgrounds of these four academics helped to miniaturise the biofuel cell from the size of a grapefruit, to achieve a paper-based form factor smaller than a bank card.
The rapid technical progression delivered in the PolyNat project and clear market opportunity demonstrated by the practical application of the technology led the team to initiate an incubation phase in 2019 with SATT Linksium, the Grenoble-based technology transfer office, under the pseudonym “JetCell”, for “jetable (EN: disposable) cell”.
It was in this period in 2019 that whilst completing her PhD in micro-structured biosensors, Dr. Marie BERTHUEL joined the team. Marie brought a clear knowledge of enzyme-based biosensing and also a skill in scientific communication. Helping to rebrand from “JetCell” and market itself as BeFC (Bioenzymatic Fuel Cells), she helped the team attain the Leyton Sustainable Award in CES 2020 whilst simultaneously assisting in the optimisation of the biofuel cell, particularly in the enzyme screening.
After attracting interest from several potential customers, the team incorporated in May 2020 and just one month later closed a 3 M€ seed round from VC investors Demeter, BNP Paribas Développement, and Supernova Invest.
Operating from the campus of Université Grenoble Alpes, BeFC leveraged the incredible eco-system of Grenoble, bridging between academic and industrial partners.
3 years since its creation, BeFC is proud to have raised a €16M Series-A round of financing, supported by Avolta Partners as the sole financial advisor. This recent round of financing involved Otium Capital as the new lead investor, followed by a strong continued commitment from historical investors who include Demeter, BNP Paribas Développement and Supernova Invest.
Contact us to find out how BeFC paper biofuel cells are a sustainable alternative to batteries, for a wide range of low-power electronic applications.
Contact us to find out how BeFC paper biofuel cells are a sustainable alternative to batteries, for a wide range of low-power electronic applications.
.webp)
