Success story: Yann Boquillod, founder of AirVisual

An app to measure air quality

How did you come up with the idea of launching an environmental start-up in Beijing?

Yann Boquillod - I first came here twenty years ago, with a job at Nokia. Then I got married. That's when the question arose as to whether it made sense to start a family here, given the pollution. That's why, in 2005, I wanted to apply my skills in big data to the issue of air quality. To do this, I developed a machine that measures air quality both indoors and outdoors. This machine tells you whether you need to wear a mask when you go out, and whether the air quality indoors is good. After all, it's the balance between the two that matters most. The machine measures this quality room by room using a free app, AirVisual.

How is it innovative?

Y. B. - In 2005, it was the very first application of its kind. At the same time, we sold our monitor, which measures air quality according to the AQI (editor's note: the air quality index prescribed by the WHO). Very quickly, this machine and the app were used all over the world. And we developed the largest network of air sensors in the world. That's why we were acquired in 2017 by IQAir, the Swiss company specialising in air filters.

How was the buyout a step forward?

Y. B. - Because we are not in competition, but on the contrary a "perfect match". While VisualAir specialises in air quality data, IQAir offers equipment capable of improving it. Together, we provide ideal solutions for consumers.

www.airvisual.com