French start-up TEMO has won Europe's highest distinction in the boating industry, winning the DAME Award 2020 from METS Trade in Amsterdam.

It was during a virtual ceremony imposed by the health situation that Temo was distinguished by an international jury for its innovation, the Temo 450 electroportable engine.

Andre Hoek, internationally renowned designer and chairman of the jury explains the choice of the committee: 

"The Temo-450 is definitely a new product, and no member of the jury had seen such an innovation before. There has been a lot of research and development, which was a key criterion for this year's 2020 Special Edition. The Temo is modern but alludes to Asian longtails and the sculling of small dinghies. It is truly an original product and we wish the company much success with this unique product."

The competition among 47 innovations from all over the world was tough, and the recognition all the more so. Alexandre Seux, the founder of the start-up testifies : 

"We worked extremely hard in 2020 to successfully industrialise and market our innovative product. Sales were immediately on the rise thanks to our benevolent customers, but production was very disrupted by Covid. Now that our first French users have received their unit we can look at the European market. This DAME Award is the highest European distinction we could dream of and it is a great springboard for the international market. Thank you to all the members of the jury and to the team who did a great job in this difficult year."

The start-up has had its share of disappointments this year because of Covid-19; a fund-raising campaign that was completed during the containment, technical tests that were impossible to carry out in March and April, a supply chain that was disrupted all along the line and many other surprises due to the youth of the product. 

But by the end of 2020 the start-up will have delivered more than 300 units, and the production chain is now ready to face the European market.