ProovStation raises 10.4 million euros to deploy its network of AI stations

Lyon, January 25, 2023 – 4 years after its creation, ProovStation, the European leader in Artificial Intelligence-assisted automated vehicle assessment solutions, announces the closing of a new €10.4 million financing round led by Supernova Invest, alongside Otium Capital, via its Industrie fund, and Crédit Agricole Création.

From left to right: Anton Komyza CFO & Cofounder, Cédric Bernard CEO & Cofounder, Gabriel Tissandier General Director & Cofounder

This fundraising will enable the startup to consolidate its pioneering role and to establish itself internationally as a key player in the used vehicles market. ProovStation, a France-based company with 50 employees, is the industrial deeptech startup behind the first automobile scanner that fully automates the inspection and valuation process for used vehicles in 3 seconds.

A unique experience for car owners

ProovStation has transformed a previously manual, subjective and time-consuming process taking up to 30 minutes into one of industrial speed and quality capable of managing several hundred vehicles per day. ProovStation is Europe’s leading provider of Artificial Intelligence-assisted automated vehicle evaluation solutions. The ProovStation stations, built in France, use a new generation AI based on the latest NVIDIA graphic cards and a cutting-edge optronic system which allow them to perform a 360° scan of the vehicle in just three seconds. More than 300 photos are taken and analysed by its algorithms before making a complete diagnosis. Covering all viewing angles, the station identifies all defects with millimetre precision and automatically generates an exhaustive and quantified inspection report listing the vehicle’s defects.

Through an alliance with Carrefour – a leading food retailer, Michelin – world leader in tires and a leader in mobility, and BCA Group – European leader in used car sales, the startup is revolutionizing the used car sector by offering motorists a unique digitalized sales experience that is simple, reliable and instantaneous. The Proovstation automobile scanners, enhanced by the MICHELIN Quickscan® technology which automatically tests tire wear, are already available free-of-charge for self-service in the parking lots of several Carrefour hypermarkets in France. These allow car owners to obtain an instantaneous firm offer (non-binding unless specifically approved by them), guaranteed by BCA Group, for their vehicle at a fair price relative to the market based on the objective evaluation of its condition.

Develop the network of scanners and accelerate international growth

This €10.4m fundraising, led by Supernova Invest alongside Otium Capital, through its Industrial Venture fund, and Crédit Agricole Création, will enable ProovStation to densify its network of scanners throughout France, with around 30 deployments already planned in 2023. The company also aims to hasten its international expansion at used vehicle professionals to become a standard in the industry. The ProovStation network already has more than 130 stations under deployment in 13 countries on three continents at well-known groups such as SiXT, le Groupe BERNARD, le Groupe Starterre, le Groupe Charles André and BCA Group. The winner of the i-Nov 2020 award, ProovStation, alongside other national technology icons, is helping to boost the international prestige of the French mobility industry.

” “We are proud of closing this funding round, which will allow us to give each driver an access to our service within less than 30 minutes of their homes”, says Cédric Bernard, CEO and co-founder of ProovStation. ” “Thanks to these funds, we will be able to invest in our technology to reinforce our international leadership. They will also give us the means to accelerate our expansion in the automotive industry to boost our already vigorous growth”. “.

David Hansen, Investment Director at Supernova Invest, comments: ” ProovStation is the perfect example of a forward-looking deeptech solution: cutting-edge technology coupled with unique artificial intelligence capable of processing industrial-scale flows. We are convinced that the vision of the founders and the high quality of the ProovStation team will enable them to achieve their development ambitions, including internationally, where the market is very buoyant and waiting for a solution as advanced as ProovStation’s.”

Pierre Ménard, Principal Industrial Venture at Otium Capital, adds: ” ProovStation is a project led by ambitious founders, built around a disruptive innovation in a deep market. The three key ingredients for success are there. We are happy to accompany them in this deployment phase and to help them revolutionize the used vehicle market.” “

*List of Carrefour hypermarkets where the ProovStation service is already available:

• Carrefour Vénissieux (Lyon), 136 Boulevard Joliot Curie 69633 Vénissieux
• Carrefour Aix En Provence, 1175 Rue Guillaume Du Vair Pole, 13290 Aix-en-Provence
• Carrefour Montesson (Ile de France), 136 Boulevard Joliot Curie 69633 Vénissieux
• Carrefour Vitrolles (Marseille), Carrefour Des Griffons, RN 113, 13127 Vitrolles
• Carrefour Saran (Orléans), 2601 Route Nationale 20, 45770 Saran

About ProovStation

Created in 2018 and based in Lyon, ProovStation is the European leader in Artificial Intelligence-assisted automotive inspection solutions. The company is developing a high-tech Automotive Scanner that automates and standardizes the used-vehicle appraisal process, aimed at both professionals and the general public. The company’s first activity is the sale of equipment to automotive professionals, to support them in the digital transformation, automation and standardization of their used vehicle appraisal process(https://fr.proovstation.com). Since 2022, ProovStation has also been offering all motorists an instant appraisal service, enabling them to obtain a purchase offer for their vehicle in just a few minutes. These Stations are accessible free of charge and self-service from 8am to 8pm, 7/7, in the parking lots of partner hypermarkets in France.(https://www.proovstation.fr/).

The ProovStation network already has more than 130 stations under deployment in 13 countries on three continents at well-known groups such as SiXT, le Groupe BERNARD, le Groupe Starterre, le Groupe Charles André and BCA Group. The company was founded by Cédric Bernard, CEO, Gabriel Tissandier, General Director, and Anton Komyza, CFO.

About Supernova Invest

Supernova Invest is the pioneering and leading deeptech investment company, managing and advising 7 funds totalling over €500 million. A specialist in investing in disruptive technology start-ups, Supernova Invest focuses its expertise on industry, healthcare, energy and the environment, and digital. The team’s 20 years’ experience in technology investment has enabled it to support over 100 of the most innovative companies in their segments, from inception to maturity. Supernova benefits from a privileged partnership with CEA (a major player in research, development and innovation) and Amundi (Europe’s leading asset management company).

For more information: https: //supernovainvest.com

About Otium Capital

Otium Capital is a family office managing the assets of Smartbox founder Pierre-Edouard Stérin. Our entrepreneurial DNA enables us to provide close support to entrepreneurs and meet their needs. With €1.2 billion in assets under management, we invest between €100 k and €50 million, taking majority or minority stakes. Over the last six months, we have deployed €100 million, bringing our total investment to over €160 million for 2022 alone, confirming our acceleration and ambition. Above all, we seek to participate in the strong growth of projects led by ambitious founders. Visit us at Otium Capital.

About Crédit Agricole Création

CA Création is an investment fund specializing in equity financing for young innovative companies. A 100% subsidiary of Crédit Agricole Centre-est, CA Création has been supporting projects in its home regions (Rhône, Ain, Saône et Loire and Nord Isère-Drôme-Ardèche) for over 15 years, in partnership with leading private equity firms. Carrying the values of Crédit Agricole’s mutualist model, CA Création intends to put the Crédit Agricole Group’s various skills to work for the benefit of its shareholdings.