An intelligent eye for power distribution
Vaud-based scale-up Depsys puts artificial intelligence "in a box" to better control power grids. CEO Michael De Vivo presents Switzerland's strengths in cleantech innovation, living and working.
Michael De Vivo is co-founder and CEO of depsys, a Vaud-based company whose innovative smart grid technology is contributing to the energy transition. He spoke to us about setting up a cleantech company in our region, and why he thinks it's a great place to live and work.
Can you tell us a little about yourself, your background and your experience as co-founder and now CEO of depsys, a start-up that has become a fast-growing cleantech company based in the canton of Vaud?
On a personal level, as far back as I can remember, I've always wanted to set up my own business. I think entrepreneurship is in my DNA! When I arrived in Switzerland in 1999, I didn't speak French very well, so I had to spend a few years learning the language, as well as Swiss culture. This experience shaped me. I left my family unit at the age of eighteen and realized that taking an entrepreneurial risk would help me learn to work for myself. After earning a bachelor's and master's degree in electrical engineering, I teamed up with two other engineers in Yverdon-les-Bains to create depsys in 2012. We had worked together on a master's project and quickly realized that we all had a passion for entrepreneurship - and for energy. We wanted to combine our strengths and build something for the future. So we honed our expertise in smart grids, clean energy, photovoltaics and other technologies to develop new systems for integrating energy into the grid. We were awarded a HEIG-VD start-up grant in 2012, and that was the beginning of our company.
Since then, it's been amazing to watch our Depsys family grow. Today, we have around 40 employees and the journey to scale has been incredible. Things really took off in 2016, when the first venture capital started pouring in. We went from a local company with just a few people in Yverdon to a serious player delivering to ten countries in Europe and Asia.
Could you briefly describe what depsys is, and give us your elevator pitch?
Today's societies are in the midst of an energy revolution, with the gradual elimination of fossil fuels and the promotion of clean energies. Two trends in particular have seen spectacular growth in recent years: the use of electric vehicles and solar power generation. This is changing the way we produce and consume electricity, and putting enormous pressure on power grids. That's why our mission at Depsys is to enable grid operators to seamlessly integrate clean energy into their networks through the use of digital technology. And we want them to be able to do this as simply as possible. To facilitate the process, we have developed a solution called GridEye that gives grid operators the visibility and analytics they need to connect to EV charging points and photovoltaic panels in a highly efficient way. Our customers are mainly utilities - currently mainly in Switzerland and Germany - but we have sales representatives in countries all over the world.
"The canton of Vaud has all the ingredients needed to create a viable business and expand internationally.
How would you describe the canton of Vaud as a location for clean technologies? And Switzerland in general?
Thecanton of Vaud boasts two world-class engineering schools - HEIG-VD and EPFL - which produce highly talented and qualified engineers. Both EPFL and Yverdon are home to dynamic technology parks, which are particularly favorable to cleantech. And there are plenty of initiatives to support start-ups in the region: in addition to the HEIG-VD grant I mentioned earlier, there's Innovaud, the Foundation for Technological Innovation, and a whole host of other loans and grants available. The whole ecosystem here is really supportive of entrepreneurs, to help them grow organically and healthily. And of course, Switzerland in general is a great place to do business, with lots of opportunities.
You set up your cleantech company in the canton of Vaud, which is now the base for your worldwide activities. What advantages does the canton of Vaud have to offer as a central location?
As I've already mentioned, the canton of Vaud is home to highly talented engineers and boasts a renowned innovation ecosystem, supported by universities, technology parks, Innovaud, FIT, technology funds, Innosuisse and more. It has all the ingredients needed to create a viable business and expand internationally. If you want to capitalize on Switzerland's reputation for excellence, having your headquarters in this region is also an attractive option.
The canton of Vaud is also known for its high quality of life. Could you describe how you enjoy the region on your ideal day off?
I'd say the quality of life here is among the top ten in the world - and that's coming from someone who's moved 24 times! It's no coincidence that depsys is based in the canton of Vaud. Our offices are in Lavaux, which is a UNESCO site and a beautiful region with vineyards and fabulous wine. The possibilities for having fun with friends and colleagues are endless, from excellent lake views and cultural activities, such as the Montreux Jazz Festival, to the bars and restaurants of Lausanne. And the mountains are only a ten-minute drive away. I could spend hours describing my ideal day off in this region. There's no other place like it to live and work.
Interview by Sylvia Smith - Source : Innovaud
