BPartners : AI Revolutionizing Aerial Imagery in Action
From Research to Concrete Innovation
BPartners, a CEA* spin-off, was founded in 2022 out of the founders' desire to transform their knowledge— particularly on the processing of ultra high definition aerial images—into useful solutions in the field for so-called “manual” professions. One specific area that caught their attention was roofing. Roofing craftmen face challenges related to speed, efficiency, not to mention drudgery, risks of falling and the day-to-day demands of customers, which are heightened in inclement weather.
The start-up has therefore developed a hybrid AI capable of remotely analyzing roofs and providing accurate assessments of their condition, eliminating the need for roofers to physically inspect them. “The process is simple: the solution generates an image of the roof, performs a pre-analysis (looking for signs of mold, areas likely to be damages, etc.), and the roofer just has to validate the analysis and carry out the costing. The time saving is significant, reducing time spent on each mission by almost 20 to 30%,” explains Sofiane Madani.
This represents a radical change for roofers, who can now manage more projects in less time while improving the quality of their work. Additionally, by avoiding team travel to the field and using already available aerial imagery, BPartners enables significant savings in terms of money and CO2: the start-up is currently conducting a study to assess the carbon impact of its model.
Applications for Local Authorities and Insurance Companies
Beyond roofers, BPartners quickly realized the potential of its solution for local authorities, who also use aerial images for surveys as part of their Simplified Street Plan (Plan Corps de Rue Simplifié - PCRS) “Where it used to take several months, thanks to AI, these tasks can now be completed in just 48 hours.” Sofiane Madani points out.
The insurance sector has also been drawn to BPartners which technology won the French AssurTech 2024 competition. “Our solution now enables insurers to accurately assess the condition of roofs before offering a suitable insurance contract. This leads to more accurate premium estimates, avoiding the often imprecise declarative method, and optimizing claims management,” summarizes Sofiane Madani.
An Accelerated path to market
One of the major challenges for a deep-tech start-up like BPartners has been moving from research labs to commercializing the first version of their solution in January 2024. Thanks to structured support within the IMT Starter incubator, the start-up learned to better understand market needs and adjust its pitch accordingly. Visits from elected officials and public sector skateholders enabled them to test their solution in real-life conditions, with valuable feedback that helped develop the product.
The incubator also gave BPartners the opportunity to participate in events like Spring 50 and Vivatech, where the start-up caught the attention of major insurance groups, leading to contracts signed as early as the summer of 2024.
With 150 roofers using their solution daily, contracts signed with around ten local authorities as well as insurance companies, it's safe to say that the start-up is a serious skateholder and ready to expand its market scope.
*Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA) is a public research organization working in the field of low-carbon energies (nuclear and renewables).