NW has been selected for the 2023 cohort of the French Tech Next40 program!

The NW Group, through its subsidiary NW Storm, has been selected for the 2023 cohort of the French Tech Next40 program. Launched in 2019 by Mission French Tech, the French Tech Next40/120 is a government support program designed to assist the most promising French startups as they grow into world-class technology leaders.

In June 2022, the NW Group, through its subsidiary NW Storm, became France’s first energy transition unicorn following a funding round led by its shareholder RGREEN INVEST. It has now joined the French Tech Next40 program. NW is developing two innovative solutions designed to enable high-power vehicle charging without destabilizing the power grid:

• JBox^®, a patented distributed electricity storage unit that guarantees the safety and stability of the power grid;
• IECharge^®, high-power charging stations for electric vehicles located primarily in rural and suburban areas. Each station offers 4 charging points. On average, a vehicle can charge enough for up to 300 km of range in 15 minutes for an average price of 15 euros. This is the most competitive price on the market.

IECharge^® stations are connected to JBox^® storage units, and the energy stored in the batteries is used to power the vehicles. This protects the power grid and prevents any imbalance, even when multiple cars are charging simultaneously. Patented worldwide, this innovation is a must-have solution in the electricity storage and electric mobility sectors.

Bridging the energy divide between regions

The NW Group has chosen to install its charging stations primarily in rural and suburban areas. At €0.30/kWh, IECharge^® also offers the most competitive price on the market and increases the appeal of electric mobility. “We want to make a societal impact and help bridge the gap between urban areas and the ‘white spots’ located in rural and suburban areas. Thanks to our solution, traveling across France in an electric vehicle becomes possible because we are connecting the entire French territory. Our IECharge^®, station is also easy to use, functional, efficient, and digital,” continues Jean-Christophe Kerdelhué, founder of the NW Group.

International Ambitions

Beyond its development in France, the company is also accelerating its deployment in Europe and North America. This expansion will enable the company to pursue its strategy: promoting energy through an infrastructure based on the combination of distributed storage and regional charging stations, producing new energy primarily in rural areas, digitizing the development, construction, and operation of our projects, and passionately offering innovative energy solutions accessible to all. “Our strength also stems from the fact that our solutions have been tested and developed in the field. Our teams are, above all, energy experts and passionate about their work,” comments Jean-Christophe Kerdelhué, who draws on 35 years of experience in the energy sector.

The French Tech Next40 brings together the 40 highest-performing startups in the ecosystem to recognize their role as the spearheads of the French economy. To qualify, companies had to be one of the 26 unlisted French unicorns, or have raised at least €100 million in funding between 2020 and 2022, up to the number of available spots.The startups selected for the program will receive daily, tailored support throughout 2023.

The program aims to provide individual and collective support on strategic issues such as international expansion, financing, recruitment, regional expansion, intellectual property, and regulatory challenges. Start-ups will thus have access to a dedicated start-up manager within the French Tech Mission, enhanced visibility, specific guidance on regulatory issues, and collective support in the form of events for sharing experiences and providing expert insights.