In May 2024, two associate engineers, including a former student of TSM, distinguished themselves at the renowned Lépine Competition for their innovative products from their ILYA project.
What is the Lépine Competition?
The Lépine Competition, in its 123rd edition in 2024, rewards the best French inventions during the Paris Fair. Created in 1901, this competition highlights French innovations and creations and is recognised as a springboard and a mark of excellence for the French industry.
ILYA, an innovative project
In 2019, Simon Buoro and Antoine Escande founded ILYA. At the time, Simon Buoro was a recent graduate with a double Master’s degree in Innovation Management from TSM and Construction Engineering, specialising in Mechanical Engineering, from INSA. Both share a passion for entrepreneurship and a commitment to a sustainable world. These ambitions took shape in their final year of studies in 2018. A year later, their vision materialised with the creation of ILYA.
The ILYA project aims to lessen the environmental impact of daily actions by reducing water and energy consumption in showers, which are the largest users of water and the second largest consumers of energy in households.
Two innovative products have emerged from this initiative: the ILO Sensor and the cyclical shower.
- The ILO Sensor, recently launched on the market, raises awareness of water consumption by displaying the amount of water used during a shower.
- The cyclical shower, set to be launched by the end of 2024, recycles water during the shower, allowing up to 70% savings on both water and energy. Simon Buoro explains: “It allows people to spend as long as they want in the shower while consuming much less water and energy than a traditional shower.”
Since its creation, ILYA has continuously climbed the ranks. The company has held ESUS status (Solidarity Company of Social Utility) since 2021 for its commitment to tackling climate change through eco-friendly bathroom solutions.
ILYA’s products are made in France, with the ILO Sensor also carrying the "Made in Occitania" label.
ILYA, a meaningful project that stands out
Since January 2024, the Toulouse-based start-up has been in the spotlight, notably appearing on the TV show “Qui Veut Être mon Associé” on M6 in March, and at the Paris Fair in early May 2024.
At the Paris Fair, ILYA participated in the Lépine Competition for the first time and left a lasting impression.
The ILO Sensor won a silver medal, while the cyclical shower earned a gold medal as well as second place overall in the competition! These awards mark a major turning point for ILYA, which gained considerable visibility and recognition through its participation in the competition.
Simon Buoro, co-founder of ILYA, was able to apply the skills acquired during his double degree in Innovation Management at TSM and INSA.
He shares his experience and advice with students interested in entrepreneurship:
You shouldn’t hesitate to surround yourself with associates, as well as incubators, technical and financial partners. [...] The image of the entrepreneur who made it alone, in their garage, is a misconception. In reality, you’re never truly alone in your project.
