Over the past six months, the Ready2Scale Acceleration Program has helped 15 digital and deep-tech startups grow with mentorship, resources, and a €60,000 grant. One of them is WaltR, a startup changing how polluting emissions are tracked and reduced. Let’s explore their story.
Since 2018, WaltR has been at the forefront of monitoring polluting emissions through a combination of spatial imaging and ground-based methods. The company empowers clients to evaluate their environmental performance, reduce air pollution and climate impact, and prioritize corrective actions based on dynamic economic and regulatory criteria.
The founding team combines extensive expertise in space technology, environmental monitoring, and business development. Eric Péquignot, the CEO, holds a PhD from École Polytechnique and spent 12 years at CNES. Javier Andrey, the CTO, has a PhD from INTA Madrid and experience at METEO FRANCE. Arnaud Dedieu, the Director of Business Development, is a graduate of Clermont Business School and the University of Nantes, with 15 years of experience in banking at BPCE.
How did you come up with the idea to create a startup?
WaltR was founded by Eric Péquignot during his time at CNES (French Space Agency), driven by a vision to revolutionize air quality monitoring by using space imaging technology to rapidly identify pollution sources and drive targeted action. With support from CNES’ spin-off program, WaltR swiftly evolved into a powerful tool for impactful environmental change.
What have been the biggest challenges/failures and the biggest wins so far?
Fortunately, we haven’t encountered any significant failures so far, and we are determined to maintain that track record. However, like many European startups, we face challenges such as securing investments, attracting the right talent on time, and navigating the complexities of mainstreaming innovative technologies in Europe. Our biggest achievement to date—beyond the daily wins necessary for a startup’s growth—has been successfully raising seed funding from strategic investors who are helping us scale effectively.
What sets your startup apart from competitors?
WaltR stands out by tracking emissions at their source, addressing the root causes of pollution and enabling key stakeholders to act where it matters most. Our unique approach integrates remote sensing from Earth observation data with insights from our patented ground imagers, offering a deeper and more comprehensive understanding. While competitors focus on pollutant concentration levels—simply illustrating the scale of the problem—we deliver actionable data that drives precise and targeted interventions.
Why would you recommend the Ready2Scale Acceleration Programme to other startups?
The Ready2Scale Acceleration Programme offers unparalleled mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities that are essential for startups looking to scale. Through tailored support, the program helps startups refine their strategies, expand their market reach, and attract investment.
Where do you see your startup in 1 year? And where in 5 years?
Within the next year WaltR aims to fully commercially launch two distinct emission tracking services:
- APU Emission Tracking for Airports, currently in the industrialization phase after several successful pilots, with growing interest from airports worldwide.
- An online platform for NO₂/NOₓ and SO₂ emissions detection from satellite data, catering to clients in finance, industries, and regulatory agencies.
Following these developments and other mid-term milestones like EIC and Series A funding, in 5 years WaltR will be a leader in emission tracking services and data in Europe.
Which books/podcasts/publications and influencers in your field do you follow and would recommend to other aspiring entrepreneurs?
For space startups, WaltR recommends leveraging resources from the EU and EC, including organizations like EUSPA and ESA, which provide valuable publications, seminars, and initiatives such as Space Academies and Cassini programs. Beyond professional resources, the team suggests reading The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams for a dose of creative inspiration and disruptive thinking.
WaltR is expanding and looking for talented individuals to join their innovative team. They are currently hiring for two engineering roles: Computer Vision Engineer and DevOps Edge Engineer. If you’re passionate about innovation, sustainability, and pushing the boundaries of technology, WaltR would love to hear from you. For more information, visit and contact through WaltR LinkedIn.