The Story behind One of the First French-SA Deals to be signed at AI Expo Africa

From left to right Mathieu Becue, Attaché for Innovation at the Embassy of France in South Africa; Naomi Musi, director of Innovative Telecommunication, and Christophe Chartier, Immersion CEO and co-founder

One of the highlights of AI Expo Africa 2019 was the deal signing ceremony between French tech company Immersion and South African firm Innovative Telecommunication

THE DEAL is among the first mutual AI trade deals to be signed between the French and a South African firm, and the signing ceremony took place at the show, then in its second year. So, how did it come about?

Immersion was founded in 1994 and has grown to become the European expert in virtual reality, augmented reality and collaborative solutions for industry and research. The company, which was co-founded and managed by Christophe Chartier, has built its know-how around customised virtual reality solutions and is now developing its own products which are at the crossroads of immersive 3D, collaborative technologies, and decision-making tools.

Immersion, which has 45 employees, designs and manufactures all its products in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France. The company has more than 500 installations worldwide, 20 patents and had a turnover of €7-million in 2019, having taken on a new strategy in 2016 to support SMEs and middle-sized companies through their digital transformation. Some of the company’s premier customers include Airbus Group, Dassault Aviation, Thales Group, PSA Peugeot Citroën and Renault.

Laëtitia Richez, Immersion’s Chief Communication Officer, says in April 2019 a South African delegation visited the company’s headquarters in Bordeaux, France.

“This was possible thanks to the impulse of the Embassy and in particular Mathieu Becue (Attaché for Innovation at the Embassy of France in South Africa). Naomi Musi, director of Innovative Telecommunication – our future partner – was present, we presented her with our know-how and our collaboration and presentation software, Shariiing. We then initiated the discussion. Innovative Telecommunication officially became our partner to sell Shariiing on the South African territory during the AI EXPO event in September 2019,” explains Richez.

Richez says prior to the deal Immersion did not have any clients in Africa. She adds that in parallel to its AI Expo Exhibition, Immersion received support from Business France which organised meetings to identify potential partners and distributors.

“We would like to thank Pierre Corneloup and again Mathieu Becue. They guided us and gave us a better understanding of the territory, which was indispensable. Thanks to the event, we met universities, research centres and companies with whom we hope to collaborate,” says Richez.