Innovation Portfolio
It starts with luck...
It starts with a little bit of luck. In 2001, Nokia released the WAP1.0 platform, connecting for the first time the small mobil handsets of those times to the Internet. And data became truly ubiquitous. I was approached by a small Startup company looking for a "WAP idea" to consolidate its early entrant position with a strong competitive advantage. I was given "carte blanche". This was my first innovation oriented role. From there on, I was often invited to participate in innovative projects. This portfolio lists some of the most remarquable ones.
It starts with a little bit of luck. In 2001, Nokia released the WAP1.0 platform, connecting for the first time the small mobil handsets of those times to the Internet. And data became truly ubiquitous. I was approached by a small Startup company looking for a "WAP idea" to consolidate its early entrant position with a strong competitive advantage. I was given "carte blanche". This was my first innovation oriented role. From there on, I was often invited to participate in innovative projects. This portfolio lists some of the most remarquable ones.
Role: CTO on project mission
Energy Saving for Railways (2014 - 2023)
Customer: TTG/SNCF/RENFE
In 2014, TTG, a small Australian company specialized in scientific algorithms, won a major energy optimization tender from SNCF, outperforming larger competitors like Siemens. However, the collaboration was at risk: while TTG had the best algorithmic engine, the project was lacking in delivery, management, and integration capabilities.
I was brought in as interim CTO for the project. I combined my expertise in scientific computing and iOS development to lead both the integration of the core algorithm and the development of the onboard system for iPad. I also coordinated with the University of Adelaide, which was responsible for the algorithm's evolution.
On the technical side, I developed the interface between C/C++ scientific code to Objective C and Swift, designing the APIs for the SNCF developers group. I also adapted the power hungry optimisation algorithms to the very ressource restricted embedded devices used on the Bombardier/RENFE trains. It allowed to use the algorithms without having to go through the several years long certification process required by any changes on the Bombarder embedded automatic driving systems.
On the management side, a major challenge was the internal resistance within SNCF. Thanks to a combination of technical leadership and soft skills, I managed to rebuild trust with key stakeholders, realign the teams, and bring the project back on track.
The POC deployed on the Paris–Marseille line achieved the targeted 10% energy savings. Nine months after my arrival, TTG signed a €1 million license agreement with SNCF, opening the door to a 7-year collaboration.
Key strengths: Scientific computing, mobile integration, energy optimization, team leadership, project recovery
I was brought in as interim CTO for the project. I combined my expertise in scientific computing and iOS development to lead both the integration of the core algorithm and the development of the onboard system for iPad. I also coordinated with the University of Adelaide, which was responsible for the algorithm's evolution.
On the technical side, I developed the interface between C/C++ scientific code to Objective C and Swift, designing the APIs for the SNCF developers group. I also adapted the power hungry optimisation algorithms to the very ressource restricted embedded devices used on the Bombardier/RENFE trains. It allowed to use the algorithms without having to go through the several years long certification process required by any changes on the Bombarder embedded automatic driving systems.
On the management side, a major challenge was the internal resistance within SNCF. Thanks to a combination of technical leadership and soft skills, I managed to rebuild trust with key stakeholders, realign the teams, and bring the project back on track.
The POC deployed on the Paris–Marseille line achieved the targeted 10% energy savings. Nine months after my arrival, TTG signed a €1 million license agreement with SNCF, opening the door to a 7-year collaboration.
Key strengths: Scientific computing, mobile integration, energy optimization, team leadership, project recovery
Role: Co-founder & CTO
Interactive Second Screen App (2012)
React.to
In 2012, I co-founded React.to, a startup focused on “second screen” interaction during cultural or sports events. The concept was to enable TV viewers to respond to live events — by shouting, clapping, shaking their phones — as naturally as if they were present in the stadium or concert hall.
Using mobile sensors (microphones, accelerometers), the app gathered audience reactions in real time, analyzed engagement levels, and shared them with the broadcaster. The project introduced the “Virtual Stadium” and “Virtual Concert Hall” concepts.
I also designed a dynamic multiplayer feature called “Game in the Game”: supporters of each team could challenge each other in real-time games, where the rules adjusted based on the level of support their team was receiving live. It was an early form of gamified fan engagement.
Although the market wasn't ready in 2012, with today’s blockchain and gaming tools, the concept is far more feasible and relevant.
Key strengths: Product innovation, mobile sensors, real-time data, gamification, entrepreneurship
Using mobile sensors (microphones, accelerometers), the app gathered audience reactions in real time, analyzed engagement levels, and shared them with the broadcaster. The project introduced the “Virtual Stadium” and “Virtual Concert Hall” concepts.
I also designed a dynamic multiplayer feature called “Game in the Game”: supporters of each team could challenge each other in real-time games, where the rules adjusted based on the level of support their team was receiving live. It was an early form of gamified fan engagement.
Although the market wasn't ready in 2012, with today’s blockchain and gaming tools, the concept is far more feasible and relevant.
Key strengths: Product innovation, mobile sensors, real-time data, gamification, entrepreneurship
Role: Innovation Consultant
Multimodal Route Planner on iOS (2008)
Senda
Before YouTube launched its mobile app, I led the development of the first video sharing mobile application in Europe for Dailymotion. The app was implemented as a Java Midlet and pre-installed on selected handsets distributed by the French mobile operator SFR.
Due to the technical limitations of the time (640 KB maximum upload size), I designed a custom upload protocol to divide and reassemble video chunks on the Dailymotion servers. Alongside this, I led the user interface development team, ensuring compatibility across devices.
The application was successfully deployed on several Sony Ericsson handsets and marked an early step in the evolution of mobile video content.
Key strengths: Protocol design, mobile network constraints, Java Midlet development, technical leadership
Due to the technical limitations of the time (640 KB maximum upload size), I designed a custom upload protocol to divide and reassemble video chunks on the Dailymotion servers. Alongside this, I led the user interface development team, ensuring compatibility across devices.
The application was successfully deployed on several Sony Ericsson handsets and marked an early step in the evolution of mobile video content.
Key strengths: Protocol design, mobile network constraints, Java Midlet development, technical leadership
Role: Innovation Consultant
Bluetooth-Based Guidance System for the Visually Impaired (2005)
Kameleon
A Paris-based startup approached me to develop a prototype for an indoor navigation system for visually impaired users in the metro system. Without GPS signal underground, the system relied on Bluetooth beacons embedded in walls to determine position.
The application detected beacon IDs, retrieved corresponding coordinates from a database, and played audio instructions tailored to the user’s destination. However, field tests revealed that air humidity degraded Bluetooth signal strength, especially during peak hours — precisely when the app was needed most.
The prototype was ultimately discontinued, but the project delivered valuable insights into the limitations of early mobile-based navigation systems.
Key strengths: Assistive tech, location-based services, Bluetooth signal analysis, prototyping
The application detected beacon IDs, retrieved corresponding coordinates from a database, and played audio instructions tailored to the user’s destination. However, field tests revealed that air humidity degraded Bluetooth signal strength, especially during peak hours — precisely when the app was needed most.
The prototype was ultimately discontinued, but the project delivered valuable insights into the limitations of early mobile-based navigation systems.
Key strengths: Assistive tech, location-based services, Bluetooth signal analysis, prototyping
Role: CTO & Product Designer
Enhanced Awareness Mobile Apps (2003)
As smartphones gained capabilities, I envisioned a new category of applications: “Enhanced Awareness” mobile apps, which would collect and share environmental data to help users avoid danger.
Two prototypes were developed:
The concept was technically viable but ahead of its time: mobile networks were not yet fast or reliable enough to support the data flows required.
Key strengths: Concept design, GIS collaboration, safety-focused innovation, academic partnerships.
Two prototypes were developed:
- A collision avoidance system for small yachts and large commercial ships
- A proximity warning system for cyclists and drivers in low visibility
The concept was technically viable but ahead of its time: mobile networks were not yet fast or reliable enough to support the data flows required.
Key strengths: Concept design, GIS collaboration, safety-focused innovation, academic partnerships.
Role: Acting CTO
First Mobile Email Application in Europe (2001)
Webcell
In the early days of mobile internet, as Nokia released its WAP 1.0 platform, I was hired by a French startup to develop a market-leading product. After assessing the limitations of the technical ecosystem (devices, gateways, networks), I designed and implemented the WAPplication Server, a session-resilient middleware that maintained the user state across network disconnections.
Building on that foundation, I led the development of the first mobile email client in Europe, which was deployed by two ISPs. I also managed the deployment of the first end-to-end digital mobile connection in France for those operators.
Key strengths: Early-stage innovation, session management architecture, telecom systems integration, technical leadership
Building on that foundation, I led the development of the first mobile email client in Europe, which was deployed by two ISPs. I also managed the deployment of the first end-to-end digital mobile connection in France for those operators.
Key strengths: Early-stage innovation, session management architecture, telecom systems integration, technical leadership
