Thomas Salquèbre, a recent graduate of the Grande Ecole Program, founded MEDUSA: a brand of high-end electric motorcycles designed and manufactured in France. Discover his journey!
From passion to recognition by industry professionals
It was around the age of 12 or 13 that Thomas discovered a passion for repairing motorized two-wheelers:
I repaired Grandpa's old moped, then moved on to bigger and bigger motorcycles. !
After repairing numerous motorcycles, Thomas decided to create his own vehicles in 2015.
That same year, after a year of MP prep, then PT prep, Thomas, originally from Nancy, enrolled Arts et Métiers the Bordeaux-Talence campus. At that point, Thomas had plans to build a prototype of a motorcycle he had designed. A major motorcycle show then offered him the opportunity to exhibit his motorcycle at its next show if he managed to design his prototype. Thomas accepted the challenge. During his second semester, he put his studies on hold to focus on his prototype.
A successful gamble! Even though the prototype couldn't be completely finalized in time, the trade show organizers still offered to display it... in the best spot at the show! His prototype was a huge success, and the trade show allowed Thomas to build a professional network.
He then returned to the Bordeaux-Talence campus the following year to complete his first year of the Grande Ecole Program.
A Arts et Métiers program for aspiring entrepreneurs
In 2017, Thomas took a gap year, along with 11 other students with projects at the School, to think about creating a course dedicated to entrepreneurship (the current PEIT). During this year, the students discussed their needs, received training, met with manufacturers, visited research centers, etc. In 2018, Thomas joined this program, which was ultimately offered on the Angers campus and tailored to the pace of student entrepreneurs: alternating between a month of classes and a month of working on their own projects. For his final year, Thomas chose to join the Paris campus to pursue CREDA expertise and formalized the creation of his company ADEMUS during his end-of-studies internship. He obtained his Arts et Métiers engineering degree Arts et Métiers 2020.
When I see the resources that Arts et Métiers has put in place Arts et Métiers help me develop my business, I feel very fortunate.
During his career as an engineer, Thomas discovered new technologies and focused on designing a 100% electric motorcycle.
From the MEDUSA brand to the ADEMUS company
Thomas knew he wanted to start a business in the motorcycle industry, and in June 2020, he did just that with the creation of ADEMUS.
ADEMUS now designs French electric motorcycles under the brand name MEDUSA, as well as innovative solutions for the carbon-free mobility sector.
MEDUSA is a brand of high-end electric motorcycles, designed and manufactured in France, based in Nancy. Prototyping of the motorcycle began in June 2020 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2021. A pre-production run of 10 models is already planned for 2022. This will be followed by an initial fundraising campaign.
A collaboration that continues with Arts et Métiers
Thomas has not severed ties with the school, as MEDUSA is working in partnership with an Arts et Métiers laboratory, LIFSE, on an innovation: the creation of a sound identity. Thomas and his team are developing an architecture that allows electric motorcycles to produce a real sound (rather than an artificial one). Motorcyclists are attached to the sound of their vehicles, and this enhances their safety because it allows motorists to hear them.
What next?
MEDUSA plans to market an initial series of 450 units of its motorcycle starting in 2023.
The startup is currently in the development phase, as in addition to one permanent employee and interns, Thomas is preparing to recruit two new permanent engineers and a work-study student...
… All while continuing to enjoy every moment of his entrepreneurial experience!
When you embark on an entrepreneurial venture, it's not the result that's exhilarating, but the journey to get there. It's what I experience every day that makes me thrive.
