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Key people at EPPUR.
EPPUR was founded in 2020 by Yariv Gilat (Founder).
EPPUR is a deep technology startup based in Lille, France, that develops Dreeft, a specialized technology and service platform designed to facilitate everyday travel solutions for consumers. Operating primarily within the broader consumer transportation sector, the enterprise focuses on applying advanced engineering methodologies to systematically improve daily mobility experiences and address common transit challenges. The organization currently maintains a highly concentrated operational scale, functioning with a dedicated workforce of exactly seven employees to execute its ongoing product development and strategic commercialization roadmap. To support its technological advancement and market outreach initiatives, the company relies on a specialized internal management team to navigate the competitive European landscape of modern mobility hardware and software services. Following its initial conceptualization and research phases, EPPUR was officially established in 2020 by co-founders and executives Colin Gallois and Lancelot Durand.
Key people at EPPUR.
EPPUR is a French startup specializing in innovative mobility solutions for the healthcare sector, specifically targeting manual wheelchair users. The company has developed *Dreeft*, the first integrated braking system for manual wheelchairs, inspired by the back-pedaling brake mechanism of Dutch bicycles. This patented system allows users to brake effectively with minimal effort, reducing hand strain and preventing burns, a common problem with traditional wheelchair braking methods. EPPUR serves millions of manual wheelchair users worldwide by improving their safety and ease of mobility, demonstrating strong growth momentum through recent fundraising and market expansion efforts[1][2][5].
Founded in 2020 in Lille, France, by engineers Colin Gallois and Lancelot Durand, EPPUR emerged from the founders’ recognition of a critical gap in wheelchair safety: the absence of effective brakes on manual wheelchairs. The idea was sparked by the absurdity that, unlike bicycles, wheelchairs lacked a dedicated braking system, forcing users to rely on hand pressure that causes fatigue and injury. Early traction came from developing the patented *Dreeft* system, which integrates brakes directly into wheelchair wheels, and securing €1.2 million in funding to accelerate commercialization. The company is based in the B'twin village, a hub for cycling innovation, which influenced their design inspiration[2][6].
EPPUR rides the growing trend of assistive technology innovation aimed at enhancing quality of life for people with disabilities. The timing is favorable due to increasing global awareness of accessibility and mobility challenges, alongside advances in ergonomic design and materials science. Market forces such as aging populations and rising demand for personalized healthcare solutions support EPPUR’s growth. By introducing a novel braking system, EPPUR influences the broader ecosystem by setting new safety standards for manual wheelchairs and inspiring further innovation in mobility aids[1][2].
Looking ahead, EPPUR is poised to expand its market reach internationally and potentially diversify its product line within mobility aids. Trends such as smart assistive devices and integration with digital health monitoring could shape its evolution. The company’s patented braking system positions it well to become a standard feature in manual wheelchairs, potentially influencing regulatory requirements and industry norms. EPPUR’s continued innovation and scaling efforts will likely enhance its influence on improving mobility safety and independence for millions of users worldwide.
EPPUR was founded in 2020 by Yariv Gilat (Founder).
