Sebastien Brunelle-Jestin
Co-Founder & CTO at Off The Grid
Professional Overview
Sébastien Brunelle-Jestin is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Off The Grid, located in the Greater Montreal Metropolitan Area. He has a strong professional presence with over 500 connections on LinkedIn. Brunelle-Jestin’s professional background is rooted in Electrical Engineering, and he holds the CPI designation.
Company Overview: Off The Grid
Off The Grid focuses on integrating sustainability and technology in the fitness industry. The company is pioneering in the field of eco-friendly exercise equipment that transforms the physical energy generated during workouts into usable electrical energy. This aligns with their mission to reduce the ecological footprint associated with fitness activities.
Key Achievements and Events
- Sales Growth: Within months of launching, the company has secured deals with several prominent institutions including most of Quebec’s universities and major corporations in Montreal. These institutions have installed Off The Grid's eco-friendly spinning bikes in their recreational and corporate gyms.
- Awards and Recognition: Brunelle-Jestin has been recognized by the Young Chamber of Commerce of Montreal (JCCM) as a techno-creative leader. The company won the title of Young Techno-Creative Leader of Quebec at the ARISTA competition.
- Product Innovation: Off The Grid’s exercise bikes can generate electricity sufficient to charge 15 cell phones, run a laptop for 5 hours, or power a light bulb for 20 hours from just one hour of cycling. The bikes are designed, manufactured, and assembled in Quebec, utilizing mostly Canadian parts, which reduces their carbon footprint by 75% compared to competitors.
Recent Activities and Engagements
- Conference Participation: Sebastien and his team have been active participants in major industry events such as FIBO Global Fitness 2024 and IHRSA 2023.
- Product Expansion: The company is exploring additional fitness machines like rowing machines, stairmasters, and treadmills, with a long-term goal to make gyms fully sustainable.
- Gamification Strategy: Off The Grid promotes its product through gamification, offering a mobile app that tracks user-generated energy and rewards participation with eco-friendly incentives.
- Market Expansion: The company is looking to expand into the U.S. and European markets within the next year, capitalizing on the growing demand for sustainable solutions in these regions.
Networking and Community
- Key Partnerships: Brunelle-Jestin has established valuable connections with industry leaders and institutions, demonstrated by the engagement with clients across academic and corporate sectors.
- Advisory Board: Off The Grid is supported by a robust advisory board including financial, manufacturing, and marketing experts, such as Nathalie Marcoux (VP Finance, Capinabel Inc.) and Robert Dutton (Ex-CEO, Rona).
Summary
Sébastien Brunelle-Jestin is a visionary leader in the intersection of sustainability and fitness technology. His technical background and innovative approach have positioned Off The Grid as a key player in the emerging market for eco-friendly fitness equipment. The company’s focus on reducing the carbon footprint of workouts through advanced engineering solutions has garnered significant attention and deals from top universities and corporations in Quebec, with ambitious plans for future expansion.
