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Published: 20 June 2025

French Grandes Ecoles organized Alumni Summer Party at Convivialité Ventures in San Francisco on June 12. This was not the first event organized in partnership with ESSEC, EDHEC, HEC, Science Po, X and a great way to end the season together!

Big thanks to ESSEC alumna Helene le Person and EDHEC alumna Anne Charpignon for hosting and providing drinks in their office space in SF.

We are looking forward to seeing other schools again in September.

Have a nice summer!

Executive Director at EDHEC America, Patricia Vinant and A&M alumnus and West Coast group president, Nicolas Horde at the party

Pictures by Vincent Toesca, President of SF ESSEC Alumni

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Published: 09 June 2025

Business Unusual: interview with Alexandre Issac (Bo 219), CEO and Founder of The Repair Academy

AFAM: Hello Alexandre and thank you for agreeing to answer our questions. You are the CEO and Founder of The Repair Academy and you announced a few months ago that you’ll be expanding your business to the US. Please, first tell us more about the Repair Academy concept and why you decided to enter the US market.

Alexandre:

Thanks so much for having me—I'm excited to share this journey!

The Repair Academy was born from a very simple idea: electronics are everywhere in our lives, yet very few people know how to repair them. So we created an ecosystem to democratize electronics repair through training, awareness, and technical support.

We offer certified training—both online and in person—to build a new generation of professional repair technicians. At the same time, we work closely in our R&D department to create operational training that gets people ready to grind.

Expanding to the US is a natural next step. The market is huge, awareness of electronic waste is growing rapidly, and right-to-repair legislation is finally gaining momentum. There’s a real appetite for solutions that combine environmental impact with economic opportunity—and that’s exactly where we come in.

AFAM: You are an Entrepreneur Award Winner (as mentioned on your LinkedIn profile). Please share more about this award and what being an entrepreneur means to you.

Alexandre:

The Australian eChallenge 1st place was a fun round. Receiving that award was a strong sign that we’re moving in the right direction. At the time, we were thinking of going to the big appliance market.

To me, being an entrepreneur means solving real-world problems—especially the ones that seem “too complex” or “not profitable enough.” It’s a mix of creativity, resilience, and daily commitment. You're building something from scratch, and that’s both terrifying and incredibly rewarding.

AFAM: You call yourself a Green Tech Enthusiast. What does that mean? Are there any green tech companies/startups (in France or the US) that have impressed or inspired you?

Alexandre:

For me, being a Green Tech Enthusiast means believing that innovation and sustainability should always go hand in hand. Too often, tech has been part of the problem. But more and more, it’s becoming part of the solution.

I really admire what Back Market and Leasetic have done in France—making refurbished electronics mainstream for both consumers and businesses. In the US, iFixit is of course a major inspiration. Their commitment to open repair and education is game-changing. That’s exactly the kind of impact I want to be part of.

AFAM: How did being a Gadzarts help you in your entrepreneurship journey and your career?

Alexandre:

The Gadz’Arts network is incredibly supportive. I’ve received advice, introductions, and even formed partnerships thanks to that community—both in France and surely internationally (soon).

Being a Gadzart gave me not only a solid technical foundation, but also a mindset: hands-on, resourceful, and mission-driven. It taught me to think in systems and to solve problems under pressure—which is exactly what you need when building a company.

AFAM: If you could give some advice to those exploring entrepreneurship opportunities in the US?

Alexandre:

Do your homework—and then go for it. The US market moves fast, expectations are high, but so are the opportunities. You need to understand the local business culture, sharpen your pitch, and adapt your product-market fit. What works in Europe won’t necessarily work in the US. And I’m learning that lesson every day, still !

Also: don’t do it alone. Surround yourself with people who know the local ecosystem—mentors, advisors, accelerators. I feel incredibly lucky to have started my US journey with support from iFixit.

AFAM: You’re going back and forth between France and the US. What do you like most about working in each country? What’s the most exciting and the most challenging part of being an entrepreneur in both?

Alexandre:

In France, I really appreciate the technical expertise, the innovation support from public programs, and the strong engineering culture. In the US, I am still discovering; Honestly I thought people would be really more hard working. In the end, I think I like the way it is easy to do business in the US with less social rules; but a mix of both French and US stuff would be great.

What excites me most is blending the strengths of both ecosystems. The challenge? Constantly switching gears—navigating different legal frameworks, customer expectations, investor mindsets. But that complexity is also what makes the journey so dynamic and fulfilling.

AFAM: Could you tell us more about your future plans?

Alexandre:

We’re launching our first US-based training hub later this year, MVP in July, aimed at building a skilled local workforce for electronics repair. We’re also developing a digital platform to centralize repair-related jobs—helping our alumni and others in the industry find meaningful work (first in France, later EU and US). We hope this platform will also make it easier for companies to hire certified technicians.

In the long run, our mission is to make repair a standard, scalable part of the electronics lifecycle—everywhere. That includes bringing together all the companies of The Repair Group: Seensys (for businesses), La Fixerie (for consumers), The Repair Lab (R&D) iSpart (recycling) and more. It’s about reducing e-waste, creating sustainable jobs, and changing how we value the devices we use every day.

Alexandre during the class

Brand new repair technicians

Pictures are courtesy of Alexandre

Other interviews in "Business Unusual" series:

interview with actor and film director Guillaume Campanacci (Ai 201)

If you are a Gadz’Arts entrepreneur willing to explore the American market please join our Yosemite program

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Published: 28 May 2025

Arts et Metiers students finished the semester at Texas A&M in May.

Here is what some of the students told us about their staying:

"We will keep great memories of our semester at Texas A&M including ( but not limited to):

• a lot of sun every day!
• Visit to San Francisco organized by AFAM
• American football game at Kyle Field (the home stadium of the Texas A&m Aggies)
• Basketball and baseball games
• Awesome BBQs
• Arts et Metiers school delegation visit of the College Station
• Country dance classes"

Thibault

"Surely one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, I loved being immersed in the middle of a student town like College Station and meeting all these new people. The events organized by the TAMU team and the other students were really incredible! I hope everyone will be able to experience what I did there one day in their lives."

Amaury

BBQ with international students organized by the TAMU team

in front of Kyle Field in College Station

Gadz'Arts at one of the most famous BBQ place in Texas

Young Gadz'Arts from TAMU in SF during Mini GadzMeet organized by AFAM

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Published: 22 May 2025

The Shasta programs invites Arts et Metiers students and apprentice students to join. If you want to find an internship ( starting January 2026 or later) please let us know about it This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Here is what our Shasta candidates ( program's participants say about the program):

Testimonial #1

"My mentor, along with AFAM, helped me discover all the specific requirements for applying to internships in the United States. Indeed, the selection criteria are different, and you need a tailored profile to apply and hope to be accepted. Thanks to AFAM and my mentor, I was able to properly build a US-style resume, search for contacts among alumni in the US, and start creating a portfolio.

My mentor was a tremendous help: whenever I faced difficulties, had doubts, or needed feedback on what I was working on, I would schedule a voice call with him about a week in advance, sending him the relevant documents beforehand. This allowed me to make steady and effective progress. Additionally, AFAM and my mentor provided me with sample applications, profile types, and resumes to draw inspiration from."

Testimonial #2

"The Shasta program played a crucial role in my internship search. My mentor was exceptionally supportive throughout the entire process. We held weekly meetings every Sunday, during which he guided me through adapting my CV and cover letter to the American job market, finding relevant companies, and preparing applications. His insights into the industry and his dedication to my project were invaluable. Through these sessions, I not only improved my professional approach but also gained confidence in my English communication skills and expanded my understanding of the aerospace sector by connecting with other alumni during One Time Consultation. The personalized and consistent support I received made a significant difference, even though the highly specific nature of my target industry posed additional challenges and was not conclusive. I wholeheartedly recommend the Shasta program to Arts et Métiers students, especially those exploring fields with broader opportunities in the US."

Testimonial #3

"I had the great opportunity to be mentored by one of the Shasta mentors through the AFAM SHASTA program. Our discussions were both insightful and diverse, covering everything from
adapting to life in the U.S. and exploring various pathways to get there, to tips for improving my résumé and shaping my career plans. We even talked about the latest FIFA World Cup, which added a fun and relatable touch to our conversations. What I appreciated most was mentor’s approachability and dedication. He was always available to share advice, provide encouragement, and push me to deliver my best. Our communication was smooth and dynamic, primarily through social media, which kept us in regular contact. Thanks to his guidance and the resources provided by AFAM, I was able to structure a clear and ambitious plan for my professional future. This mentorship has been a real game-changer for me, and I’m genuinely thankful for the support that has helped me move closer to achieving my goals."

We would like to sincerely thank all our mentors who spent time with students to help them in their internship search.

We invite Arts et Metiers students to join our Shasta program today to explore internship opportunities in the US.