Through Jane, École Polytechnique supports social and community-focused projects in the green energy sector

Where did the idea to set up a start-up in the field of collective self-consumption come from?

Simon Heurtebise, co-founder and CEO of Jane: In the early 2020s, I learnt about one of the first collective self-consumption schemes in my region, which was being run on the Île d’Yeu in the Vendée. This local initiative, called Harmon’Yeu, involved producing and sharing solar energy amongst neighbours. It was led and funded by the electricity supplier Engie. At the time, there were only around 40 schemes of this kind, compared to nearly 2,000 in the first quarter of this year alone. By 2030, there are expected to be 40,000 such schemes, according to energy sector experts. 

I trained as a UX designer. Software usability is my speciality. As for Nathan, he wrote his dissertation on energy poverty. We shared a common interest and complementary skills, which led to our collaboration and the creation of Jane.

Nathan Bouldoires, co-founder of Jane and Director of Operations: Simon had taken part in the ‘Talents 2024’* competition in 2022. He had talked about his background and his interest in collective self-consumption projects on LinkedIn. I was actually researching a very similar topic. I got in touch with him. We hit it off straight away. We decided to embark together on a high-impact entrepreneurial project: developing green energy, strengthening community ties and promoting energy solidarity. In 2024, we entered the competition together again and won, thereby bringing credibility and visibility to our project. We met other entrepreneurs, politicians and our first customers, and won a grant of €10,000, which gave us the means to develop our software technically. 

What does your innovation involve?

Simon Heurtebise: Through our platform, we act as a link between organisers of collective self-consumption projects and the electricity distributor, Enedis. These projects are governed by the Energy and Climate Law and various regulations. We simplify and streamline the administrative process by enabling stakeholders to simulate and structure their projects. Thanks to our simulator, our clients can assess the energy and economic outcomes of their project in advance.

Our prospects may include energy cooperatives, local authorities, towns, businesses, industrial sites or individuals organising themselves at a local level.

Nathan Bouldoires: Several features are currently being developed to best meet the needs on the ground. In the short term, the tool will need to adapt to regulatory changes concerning energy distribution. In the long term, energy storage via batteries is a key focus for us. Indeed, energy can be utilised either by being shared among residents in close geographical proximity or by being redistributed on the energy market. With Jane, we will be able to advise our clients and guide them towards the best solution. 

Why did you choose to be part of the École Polytechnique incubator programme? What benefits did it bring you?

Nathan Bouldoires: We joined the 18th cohort of the X-UP incubator on the advice of Lia Rochat, co-founder and CEO of ArchiSmart Solar, a greentech start-up specialising in the large-scale solarisation of property portfolios, which is also incubated at École Polytechnique. She had spotted our project whilst studying for her Executive Master’s degree at the school, during which students are required to present an entrepreneurial project or launch one. She ultimately chose to set up her own start-up, but we stayed in touch (and are still working with her, in fact). She encouraged us to apply to be incubated at X-UP. Out of 70 applicants, we were selected alongside other entrepreneurs such as Ekaterina Kukhtenko, founder of VAir, which specialises in the detection of respiratory infections. 

Simon Heurtebise: Nathan and I were both on permanent contracts (he was at Capgemini; I was at Dassault Systèmes). Leaving a stable job to devote ourselves full-time to Jane was a risk. Being selected by the École Polytechnique incubator gave our project legitimacy and purpose. Whether in legal, commercial or financial terms, we learnt a great deal within a stimulating environment of high scientific calibre. I think these lessons will serve us well throughout our careers. 

Nathan Bouldoires: We learnt, for example, the mechanics of fundraising. Our first non-dilutive fundraising round (without equity participation) was made possible thanks to meetings held at École Polytechnique as part of this support programme, notably with experts from BPI France with whom we co-designed it. We raised 175,000 euros!

Why did you choose the name Jane for your company?

Nathan Bouldoires: We named our start-up Jane in honour of the American philosopher and author Jane Jacobs. She wrote The Death and Life of Great American Cities in 1961, which highlights the importance of forging connections between people and building communities. For her, this is what constitutes a city’s true wealth. 

Furthermore, in sectors (entrepreneurship and energy) that are still all too often male-dominated, we felt it was essential to honour a woman who left her mark on 20th-century urban thought.

What societal and social challenges does your start-up address?

Nathan Bouldoires: Energy is a key issue, particularly in the current international context. It will become increasingly important in the future. If we want to be self-sufficient and safeguard our freedom, we must build a world where we are no longer dependent on fossil fuels, which are also harmful to the environment. With Jane, we are making it easier to share carbon-free energy without relying on external players. 

Simon Heurtebise: On a social level, Jane can help tackle energy poverty. By working with charities, we can help them redistribute surplus energy to people in need. These people will be able to access green energy at competitive prices, or even receive it for free. We are committed to supporting community-focused initiatives. 

What are the next steps?

Simon Heurtebise: From 2023 to 2025, we focused on the R&D development of our product. Marketing began at the end of last year. Now and in the years to come, we want to become a recognised player in the energy sector and make Jane the go-to platform for managing collective self-consumption projects. 

* Talents 2024: Aimed at young people aged 16 to 25 living in Paris, the Greater Paris metropolitan area or Seine-Saint-Denis, the ‘Talents 2024’ programme recognises and supports innovative projects focusing on themes such as eco-citizenship, solidarity and sustainable development. These projects are in line with the values of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.