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The story of FlowStop began after witnessing the devastating effects of frequent flooding in vulnerable communities. Traditional flood prevention methods were often expensive, complex, and inadequate for protecting homes and businesses from unpredictable weather.
Driven by a passion for practical solutions, in 2019, our founder, Olivier Guillou, set out to develop a flexible, accessible, and highly effective flood barrier.
Through extensive bootstrapping, research, and development, in 2021, FlowStop was born—a custom-made, inflatable flood barrier designed to provide a reliable defense against rising waters. The aim was simple: to create a product that was easy to install, reusable, and adaptable to any opening, empowering property owners to take control of their flood protection.
Today, flowStop meets the needs of individuals, businesses, and communities across France, Europe, the Middle East, and North America. Endorsed by leading insurers like Groupama and GMF, FlowStop’s solutions have become a trusted standard in flood prevention. With a production capacity of 150 units per day is rapidly expanding and exploring new markets, including Australia and India.
Its growing recognition includes the Prime Minister's Award at the 2023 Concours Lépine and titles such as French Assurtech and Greentech Laureate in 2024.
FlowStop is more than just a product; it’s a vision—a vision of a future where natural disasters are managed rather than endured. With FlowStop, prevention becomes simple, effective, and essential. Protecting to prevent suffering—that’s the mission.
About The Founders
Olivier Guillou
Olivier is an inventor and entrepreneur who came up with the idea for FlowStop in 2019. He spent several years bootstrapping and refining the concept of an inflatable flood barrier. In 2021, he teamed up with Bertrand, and together, they co-founded FlowStop, turning the idea into a groundbreaking solution for flood protection.
Bertrand Sylvestre-Boncheval
Bertrand is a seasoned entrepreneur with a track record of building successful ventures. He launched his first business while studying at HEC Paris, founding PayinTech, which was successfully acquired in 2021. In 2022, Bertrand joined FlowStop, bringing his entrepreneurial expertise to drive innovation and growth in flood protection solutions.
Alex Cammarano
Alex is a French entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the U.S. Based in Oakland, California, he began his career as the founder and CEO of Daylighted, an innovative art platform that digitized and democratized art. Alex was introduced to FlowStop through a mutual investor of both FlowStop and Daylighted, leading to a consulting partnership in 2024. This collaboration quickly grew into a full-time role, and Alex is now the Founder and COO of FlowStop US, the American subsidiary of FlowStop Industrie.
Boilerplate (Last update Nov 5th 2024)
The company
Founded in France, FlowStop has sold over 5,000 units in 28 countries and quickly became an award-winning leader in flood protection technology. It offers innovative, reliable, eco-friendly solutions to combat rising water levels. In France, they are a trusted partner for the national highway system, nuclear power plants, and major insurance companies. With the launch of its U.S. operations, FlowStop aims to lower the costs of its flood barriers in the US market and to fasten the delivery process. Protecting communities nationwide from the devastating impacts of floods simply can’t wait.
The mission
In a world where floods remain the most frequent and costly natural disaster, FlowStop is dedicated to making flood prevention both accessible and effective. As climate change amplifies the risks, FlowStop’s mission is to empower individuals, businesses, and communities by simplifying how these critical situations are managed.
FlowStop doesn’t just tackle a problem; it drives change by replacing the outdated cycle of "endure, compensate, rebuild" with proactive prevention. This proactive approach supports a broader vision: a future where climate risks are anticipated, managed, and mitigated.
With FlowStop, protection moves from a challenge into an easy, innovative, and sustainable solution.
The product
FlowStop’s unique inflatable design allows users to quickly install flood barriers in any framed opening—doors, windows, and garage entrances—without tools or heavy equipment. Lightweight and easy to maneuver, FlowStop barriers expand to form a watertight seal, blocking floodwaters effectively. Once the flood threat subsides, the barriers can be deflated and stored.
Key features
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Easy, Quick Setup: Inflate and & deploy in under 5 minutes.
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Lightweight: a 36” Flowstop for a door only weighs 7 lbs.
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Easy to store: Once deflated, easily roll and store your Flowstop for future use
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Customizable: FlowStop is ordered to size - as tall or long as needed.
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Reusable: Made from durable materials, FlowStop is designed for repeat use
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Scalability: Suitable for residential, commercial, and municipality applications
Key Date
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2019: Olivier got the idea of an inflatable flood barrier
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2020/2021: First patent was registered
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2022: First sale
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2023: Awarded By Concour LEPINE
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2024: Awarded by Greentech
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2024: Opened US and Dubai Office
Key Numbers
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5,000+ FlowStop sold
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150+ FlowStops manufactured everyday day
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37 people working for FlowStop
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20 Countries using FlowStops