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)
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