LÉO BRIAND, ALUMNI AND FOUNDER OF VITTASCIENCE

WHAT IS VITTASCIENCE’S MISSION? HOW DID THE IDEA COME TO YOU?

We started this project with friends at ISAE-SUPAERO as part of the Institute’s OSE project (the Institute’s social opening program). At the time I was teaching students while studying at the same time. I realized that I could help both students and teachers. I felt that I was making a difference, yet at the same time, the idea of being an entrepreneur appealed to me a lot. So I wanted to share my passion for science and my taste for entrepreneurship and social opening.

The goal of VITTASCIENCE is therefore to support teachers to make learning science more interesting.

Today we are working with several hundred institutions. We offer experiment kits to build a technical object (educational and playful guides). We support teachers in implementing the project in their classroom. At the same time, we have developed free digital tools that enable teachers all over France, and around the world, to discover the sciences, especially the digital sciences, which are very popular at the moment since they have been added to the school curriculum.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE SINCE YOU STARTED YOUR ENTREPRENEURIAL EXPERIENCE?

On several occasions, Vittascience completely changed teams, that was the most difficult. The downside when you start a project while still being a student is that the people involved at the beginning are often looking to continue further studies rather than set up a real business over the long term.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST SUCCESS SINCE YOU STARTED YOUR ENTREPRENEURIAL EXPERIENCE?

I am very happy with how popular the solar balloon kit has been (kit to make a 4-meter diameter solar balloon that flies solely using the sun’s energy). Some 10,000 students have completed this project over the past 4 years. It’s very gratifying to have so many participants in a project that I devised!

We are also starting to have some partnerships around the platform. There is real growth in terms of usage and audience. I am proud to provide a service to numerous people with a free product that meets new expectations.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY IN YOUR BUSINESS?

It’s very variable. In the morning, there are often team meetings because we have a large Research and Development center. Then a fairly significant part of my time is given over to communication, especially to publishing content on social networks.

The rest of the time, I try to imagine partnerships to establish a medium/long term strategy. For example, we have just forged a partnership with the publisher Hatier. It’s very varied depending on the day. I also talk a lot with teachers who give me feedback to keep me informed of what is happening in the field.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG PERSON WISHING TO START THEIR OWN BUSINESS?

Firstly, you have to choose the right time to launch your project. Then it seems to me that it is important to really believe in your idea. You must also pick the people with whom you partner, be careful that it does not become too much a school project. Everyone needs to be on the same wavelength. Try not to stay alone. And generally speaking, do something that you like and that has meaning.

HOW HAS YOUR TRAINING AT ISAE-SUPAERO HELPED YOU IN YOUR ENTREPRENEURIAL EXPERIENCE?

The associative part, especially OSE, enabled me to find the idea and come into contact with the first users. In general, my time at ISAE-SUPAERO broadened my mind about many subjects and helped me develop my network.

DO YOU THINK THAT THE ENTREPRENEURSHIP OPTION IS SUFFICIENTLY DEVELOPED AT ISAE-SUPAERO?

I think ISAE-SUPAERO is rather ahead of other schools in this area. I think that it’s a good thing and that there are many ways to do entrepreneurship at ISAE-SUPAERO.