On the cover of Reflets Magazine #143, Vincent Nallatamby (E16) tells us how he led his start-up, Tempow, from the corridors of ESSEC and Berkeley to its acquisition by Google in just 5 years. Here is a free online translation of an excerpt of the article… Subscribe here to read the rest of the issue (in French)!

Reflets Magazine: How did the Tempow project come about?

Vincent Nallatamby: We began at the end of our studies, at ESSEC for me and the Polytechnique for my partners, Thomas and Julien. Our approach was very naive at first, with an obvious lack of knowledge, but we were nevertheless highly motivated. The very first product we worked on was a smartphone-integrated software which could connect two loud-speakers together via Bluetooth. The idea was to create a wireless stereo effect. The second feature of this product was the connection of two headphones between each other, to allow two people to watch a film on a computer or tablet, each one with their own headphones. So we began to work on the modification of Android telephones, in partnership with four or five Chinese phone brands, but it was only later that we switched to what would become Tempow’s flagship product; an operating system (OS) for wireless earphones such as Apple AirPods.

RM: So your early days were a question of trial and error...

V. Nallatamby: True, but it happened very naturally. During the first two years of Tempow, we met with just about every tech company in the world; we travelled to the headquarters of Samsung in Suwon, Korea, several times, for example. We signed a great deal of contracts, and as the project grew, we began to acquire a real understanding of the market. It therefore took us a while to find the right position. The key moment came when Apple released its AirPods, which were a huge success, probably the largest launch on the mass electronics market since the iPhone. From that moment on, we knew exactly the direction to take. With our small team, our expertise and the right industry positioning, we were able to become a software provider for any of Apple’s rival brands also looking to launch their version of AirPods.

[…]

RM: Just 5 years after its creation, Tempow was acquired by Google. Is that not a little overwhelming?

V. Nallatamby: My answer may surprise you, but it’s actually the opposite. When you work in technology, that kind of takeover can be considered, on the contrary, as a small achievement compared to start-ups which, after 4 or 5 years, already employ hundreds of people and generate a turnover of more than 100 million dollars. This kind of takeover is seen more as a step, as a first small success which will lead to others. We’re delighted to have caught the attention of Google, one of those great companies which innovates constantly, because it proves that we were going in an interesting direction in terms of technology. It wasn’t our ambition from the outset, obviously, we wanted to go higher and further.

RM: What is your take on this, then?

V. Nallatamby: We’re satisfied with the result, even if it’s not the one we’d dreamt of. It has served to bolster our desires and ambitions for our next projects. Even more so given that a business card which includes a Google takeover opens up certain doors and new prospects. It’s also very pleasant to work at Mountain View. You’re in the heart of Silicon Valley, surrounded by solid teams. It’s a way for me to continue learning. We did receive other takeover offers, but we weren’t sure we could continue to advance as much as we can with Google.

RM: In your view, what interested Google in your start-up? Should we expect a vast offensive on the part of Google in the audio field?

V. Nallatamby: I can’t comment on Google’s strategy. However, I think the reasons for our takeover are quite clear. On one hand, to benefit from the technology we developed, alongside the associated patents and intellectual property, and on the other hand for the team, which is capable of maintaining and enhancing this tech stack. Acquiring a form of technology without bringing on board the team who contributed to its development and is capable of keeping it alive is like whistling in the wind. It's the best way of throwing money down the drain. The technology and the team are the key aspects of this acquisition.

RM: Has the whole team gone to Google?

V. Nallatamby: Yes, in the sense that Google bought the Tempow entity which became a de facto Google subsidiary. Discussions followed on the transfer of certain employees from Paris to California. For Google it was imperative that the main employees were based in California, and at present, most of them, me included, have relocated there. 

RM: How are people from French Tech perceived? Do Americans have a particular attitude towards them?

V. Nallatamby: […]

Interview by François de Guillebon, Chief Editor at Reflets Magazine.

Translation of an excerpt of an article published in Reflets Magazine #143. Click here to read a preview of the issue (in French). Subscribe here to get the next issues (in French).

Image : © Frédéric Neema Photography