In today's world, innovation and accessibility go hand in hand. At ENGLAB, Technology & Strategy Group's industrial mechatronics engineering office, we're committed to pushing limits and making revolutionary ideas a reality.

One such project is Footing Vertical, which aims to make climbing accessible to all. In our podcast series, hosted by Antony Funaro, Sales Manager at ENGLAB, we take a look at FootingVertical's inspiring journey.

This article will introduce you to the genesis of the project, the challenges of entrepreneurship and the technological advances that have shaped its evolution.

The beginnings of Footing Vertical

Footing Vertical is an innovative project born of a shared passion for climbing and a desire to democratize the sport.

In the first episode of our podcast series, we hear from the project's founders: Bassa and Mickaël Mawem, and Sébastien Kuehn. They explain how they identified the need to make climbing more accessible due to limited infrastructure and technical barriers. Their ambition was clear: to create a solution that simplifies the learning process and helps everyone progress in climbing.

From first steps to reality

The founders describe the early stages of the project, transforming a simple idea into a structured concept. They faced many challenges, from defining needs and carrying out a feasibility study to creating the first drafts of the product. Their aim was to design an innovative, ergonomic system that would appeal to a wide audience.

In this episode, we explore the initial observation that led to the creation of Footing Vertical. The founders' passion for climbing and their desire to make the sport accessible to all are evident. They tell us about the obstacles they overcame in the early stages of the project.

From idea to company

In the second episode, the founders of MBS Industry discuss the evolution of the initial idea into a fully-fledged business project. They faced challenges such as defining the business model, finding investors and partners, and building a competent team.

A decisive meeting with SEMIA

Meeting Thimothée Gros, Business Manager at SEMIA, was a pivotal moment in their journey. His expertise and commitment helped refine Footing Vertical's vision and accelerate its growth. Together, they underline the importance of a professional network and the support of innovative players.

In this episode, the founders and Thimothée Gros explore the complexities of transforming an idea into a marketable product. They discuss the crucial stages of structuring the company, securing financing and business development.

Making it happen

The third and final episode of the podcast series focuses on the technical and industrial development of Footing Vertical. Olivier Tuizat, head of mechanical development and industrialization at ENGLAB, and Thomas Gaberan, head of electronics and embedded software, look back at the technological innovations, process optimization and industrial structuring that brought the project to fruition.

A technological and industrial challenge

The team shares the journey from the first sketches to successive adjustments, emphasizing the importance of the test phases to ensure robustness and performance.

Industrialization and production

The industrialization phase is also discussed: choice of materials, cost optimization, setting up an efficient production chain.

This episode highlights the critical stages in Footing Vertical's technical development. Experts from ENGLAB and MBS Industry shed light on the challenges of industrialization and production, ensuring large-scale manufacturing while maintaining high quality. 

A vision for the future

As Footing Vertical looks to the future, the team is already planning improvements and new applications to make climbing even more accessible. The project's success is a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration.

Footing Vertical is more than just a project, it's a movement to democratize climbing. At ENGLAB, we're proud to support initiatives like this, which demonstrate our commitment to innovation and accessibility.

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Whether you're a start-up or an established company, ENGLAB is here to help you turn your ideas into reality. Our expertise in mechatronics and our commitment to encouraging creativity and growth make us the ideal partner for product development.