David Roche on Building the Next Generation of Aircraft

In this episode David Roche, Deputy Chief Digital Officer at AURA AERO, shares how a new wave of industrial pioneers is reimagining aviation from the ground up. From his early days in digital simulation at Dassault and Airbus to leading digital transformation at one of France’s most innovative aerospace companies, Roche embodies the union of engineering precision and entrepreneurial boldness.

Key Takeaways: From Software to Sky: Trained as a computer engineer, Roche’s journey began in 3D modeling and virtual reality at Dassault Systèmes and Airbus. This deep digital background became the foundation for his later work at AURA AERO, where every aircraft is designed and certified entirely in a paperless, fully digital environment.

Reinventing Aviation, Not Just Aircraft: AURA AERO’s mission goes beyond creating electric planes. Its founders set out to build a new kind of aircraft manufacturer — mastering the entire lifecycle from design to operation. The company’s “Integral” aircraft marked the first step, followed by the first flight of an all-electric version and the ongoing development of a 19-seat regional hybrid aircraft.

Resilience in the Face of Setbacks: After a tragic prototype accident, AURA AERO’s community of engineers, investors, and pilots rallied together to continue the mission. This shared determination to learn, rebuild, and move forward reflects the pioneering spirit that drives the aerospace industry.

Data as the New Airframe: For Roche, the true enabler of industrial transformation is data. From digital continuity across engineering and production to secure, structured data pipelines, AURA AERO treats every dataset as a strategic asset. Their systems now allow real-time data collection from aircraft, paving the way for predictive analytics and AI-assisted operations.

AI Grounded in Reality: Roche emphasizes that artificial intelligence only adds value when built on solid data foundations. The company is developing an internal platform to prototype AI applications—optimizing flight paths, energy use, and pilot support systems, all grounded in operational data rather than theoretical R&D.

Building a Digital-First Manufacturer: AURA AERO’s “Digital Integration” team ensures technology serves people, not the other way around. By selecting the best SaaS tools, integrating them seamlessly, and developing custom solutions when needed, the company maintains agility while scaling globally.

Conclusion:

David Roche’s story exemplifies a new generation of industrial entrepreneurs merging software thinking with physical manufacturing. Through AURA AERO, he demonstrates that decarbonizing aviation is not just about cleaner engines—it’s about rebuilding the entire industrial model for a more connected, data-driven future.

Listen to the full episode of Next Gen Industrials, the OSS Ventures podcast hosted by Jean-Philippe Lorinquer, on Spotify or YouTube.

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Bertin Nahum on Scaling Surgical Robotics for Cancer Care

In this episode of Ondustry, Bertin Nahum, President and co-founder of Quantum Surgical, shares his journey from early medical robotics to building Epione, a surgical robot designed to transform cancer treatment. With a background that spans pioneering medtech start-ups and multiple successful exits, Nahum represents the new wave of industrial entrepreneurs tackling global health challenges.

Key Takeaways:

From Engineering to Medtech Leadership: Trained as an engineer at INSA Lyon, Nahum’s career took a decisive turn when he discovered the potential of technology in healthcare. His early exposure to hospital environments convinced him to dedicate his life to medical innovation.

Serial Entrepreneurial Success: After founding and selling Medtech, creator of the Rosa surgical robot, Nahum launched Quantum Surgical in Montpellier. His ventures highlight the ability of European medtech start-ups to compete globally, even against U.S. giants.

Innovation as Usage, Not Just Technology: For Nahum, the true breakthrough in robotics lies not in hardware or AI alone, but in how these technologies are integrated into medical practice to democratize complex procedures and expand patient access.

Financing and Public Markets: Having led both venture-backed growth and an IPO, Nahum shares lessons on navigating financing challenges in hardware start-ups, underscoring the importance of inventive funding strategies and careful shareholder alignment.

Building an Ecosystem: Beyond company building, Nahum helped establish Montpellier as a hub for surgical robotics, creating hundreds of jobs and fostering a Med Valley in France. His commitment shows how entrepreneurial ventures can reshape regional industrial landscapes.

Conclusion:

Bertin Nahum’s story illustrates how perseverance, vision, and purposeful leadership can drive disruptive medical innovations from local labs to global markets. Quantum Surgical’s mission—to make cutting-edge cancer treatment accessible worldwide—underscores the societal impact of industrial entrepreneurship.

Ready to explore how industrial innovation can scale globally? Join the conversation with OSS Ventures and discover the future of Industry 4.0.

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Nicolas Sordet on Leading Industrial Innovation in Green Chemicals

In this episode of Ondustry, Nicolas Sordet, CEO and co-founder of AFYREN, shares insights into building and scaling a disruptive industrial start-up in the chemicals and biotechnology sectors. AFYREN, a French company focused on green chemistry, represents a new generation of industrial enterprises prioritizing sustainability while achieving commercial success.

Key Takeaways:

From Finance to Industrial Innovation: Nicolas Sordet transitioned from a successful finance career, including roles at Societe Generale and Link Securities Hong Kong, to co-founding AFYREN in 2014. This unique background brings financial discipline and strategic thinking to industrial biotechnology innovation.

Disrupting Traditional Chemicals: AFYREN is actively disrupting the chemicals industry by developing sustainable alternatives to traditional chemical processes. The company's approach demonstrates how industrial start-ups can challenge established players through innovative biotechnology solutions.

Public Company Challenges: Sordet discusses the complex challenges of taking an industrial start-up public, particularly focusing on talent management and organizational scaling. His experience highlights the unique difficulties industrial companies face when transitioning from private to public markets.

Net Zero Leadership: The company's commitment to the journey toward net zero reflects the growing importance of sustainability in industrial leadership. AFYREN's approach shows how environmental responsibility can be integrated into core business strategy from the ground up.

Purposeful Leadership Philosophy: Sordet emphasizes purposeful leadership as essential for industrial CEOs, sharing insights on the skills and experiences future industrial leaders will need to succeed. His leadership approach balances commercial objectives with environmental and social impact.

Conclusion:

Nicolas Sordet's journey from finance to industrial biotechnology exemplifies how cross-industry experience can drive innovation in traditional sectors. AFYREN's success in green chemicals demonstrates that start-ups can compete effectively against established industrial giants by combining cutting-edge technology with sustainable practices. His insights on scaling industrial start-ups and navigating public markets provide valuable lessons for entrepreneurs in the industrial sector.

Ready to explore industrial innovation opportunities? Join the conversation with OSS Ventures and discover how we can support your transformation journey.

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