How EFSI benefits SMEs in Europe - Bpifrance case study: Muquans (France), Research; Development

Founded in 2011 by a team of three PhDs in quantum physics, including Bruno Desruelle, the company’s CEO, Philippe Bouyer and Arnaud Landragin, Muquans is specialised in the development of ultra-high technological precision measurement instruments. With solid professional experience, the three associates and the rest of their team have developed two key products: the Muquans Absolute Quantum Gravimeter, a commercial gravimeter using laser-cooled atoms which measures gravity when monitoring volcanoes, earthquake research, and hydrological applications; and the MuClock, an atomic clock using ultra-cold atoms that provide time measurements for time metrology and calibration, telecommunications, global navigation satellite systems and radio navigation applications.

But ‘research never stops’ as they say, and when Bruno, Philippe and Arnaud wanted to develop a new version of the Muquans Absolute Quantum Gravimeter, which would be able to measure gravity acceleration in variable environmental conditions, they turned to an EU-guaranteed loan provided by Bpifrance, the French public investment bank, and backed by EIF under the Investment Plan for Europe, which aims to generate new investments by facilitating access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Muquan’s development has been fast from the start. During the first three years of activity, the company managed to set up a team of 15 highly skilled research and development (R&D) engineers, to develop a first generation of prototypes and to begin commercialising the products with EUR 2 million worth of orders. Eventually, thanks to this loan, the three associates were able to pursue their company’s development. Plans for the future include further improvements of the two star products and the development of a national network transferring highly performant frequencies on fibre optic links.

Company: Muquans (France)

Type of business: Research; Development

EIF financing: InnovFin SMEG, EFSI

For further information about EIF intermediaries in France, please refer to: http://www.eif.org/what_we_do/where/fr