This week, our Startup Spotlight features Nicolas Florès, founder of E-Dolphin, a French startup creating high-performance, fully carbon fibre electric jet skis for quiet and emission-free rides.

How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I grew up along the Mediterranean coast in the south of France, and from a young age, I spent countless hours riding jet skis and often experienced the magical moments of being accompanied by dolphins gliding alongside me. 

However, those enchanting encounters also brought a sobering realisation: the dolphins were being exposed to the harmful pollutants emitted by traditional jet skis such as noise pollution, harmful fuel discharges, and exhaust fumes.

At the time, I was working in the electric vehicle industry. Driven by my passion for the ocean and a commitment to sustainability, I set out on a mission: to revolutionise the jet ski industry by transitioning it to a zero-emission, eco-friendly practice. I therefore had a clear vision—to return to those magical encounters with dolphins, this time with a jet ski that left no harmful footprint. Thus, the idea for E-Dolphin was born.

Why does the industry need the solution you’re providing?

As someone with a personal connection to the sea, I have come to realise that we can’t continue to pollute our waters with thousands of combustion powered watercrafts. At the end of the day, it’s our shared responsibility to ensure that our children and their children after that get to experience the same natural beauty that we did. 

What’s been the most rewarding part of starting your company?

It has been a rewarding experience to contribute to the energy transition in the maritime industry by creating electric jet skis, solidifying my vision of a  zero emission watercraft.

What challenges did you have to overcome at the beginning?

To get our first prototype on the water we had to completely design and build the first powertrains, battery packs and drive systems, all whilst being small enough, powerful enough, light enough as well as being waterproof.

What’s next for your business? Where do you see it in 3-5 years?

After lots of R&D, production and testing, our flagship S300 will hit the market with 50 units being delivered in Q4. Within 5 years we want to be the European leader, distributing a thousand units a year before expanding into both the US and Asian markets.

Any advice for entrepreneurs just starting out in this space?

Believe in your dream and never stop fighting to make them happen

And a fun one—what’s a quote or some words that you live by?

During the development stage of our powertrain I had two separate close calls with small explosions; they were impressive, almost like fireworks. Fortunately, I’ve never been injured, and since 2020, our technology has proven to be completely reliable. I could therefore say that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!

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