Welcome to an inspiring conversation with Jérôme Vernet, an accomplished entrepreneur and the Vice President of Sales at Dracula Technologies.
Jerome’s professional journey is a remarkable one, starting from humble beginnings as an intern in a small company in France, to becoming a key player in the world of sustainable energy solutions. With a career spanning multiple continents and industries, Jerome’s leadership and vision are driving Dracula Technologies to the forefront of the energy harvesting sector. In this interview, we’ll explore his background, the innovations powering Dracula Technologies and his aspirations for the company as it continues to grow and revolutionize the field of sustainable energy.
Jerome, before we explore your professional journey, could you share a little about yourself?
I am 52 years old, happily married to my wife, Claire, and we have three wonderful children aged 23, 25, and 28. We have always lived in the southeast of France, near Valence, which has been a fantastic place to raise our family.I speak four languages - French, English, Italian, and Spanish. This has been an invaluable skill and a significant advantage in my international career.
What are the key milestones of your professional career?
My career started in 1992 when I joined a small company in Montelier as an intern. I was the 5th employee at the time - back then, we didn’t even have the term "startup". Over the years, I grew within the company, eventually becoming Export Sales Manager by the late '90s. In 2003, my partner and I acquired the company, which had grown to 35 employees by then.During the 2000s, we expanded internationally, I established subsidiaries in Spain, the U.S., Brazil, Germany, Italy, and China. In late 2016, I sold my shares and transitioned out of the company. Shortly after, I joined Dracula Technologies. I initially came on board as an investor, having known Brice Cruchon, the founder, for over 15 years from my previous work. But by early 2017 I became more involved, joining the team of just four people and helping shape the company’s Sales and Marketing strategy. Now, as Vice President of Sales I lead a team of 43. In addition to my role at Dracula Technologies, I have also invested, alongside a longtime partner who’s an artisan jeweler, in a High-End jewelry atelier.
Could you clarify what services Dracula Technology offers?
Dracula Technology specializes in providing energy harvesting solutions using our proprietary technology that converts ambient light into electricity (LAYER®). Our main service revolves around creating sustainable, low-power energy solutions for a range of applications, particularly for IoT devices and other indoor applications. We offer customized energy harvesting modules that are efficient, recyclable, and cost-effective, ideal for powering devices where traditional energy sources like batteries fall short. Additionally, we work closely with industrial partners to scale production and bring these solutions to market.
How is Energy Harvesting technology shaping the industry and addressing the challenges of sustainability?
Energy Harvesting technology is now widely accepted. We convert ambient light, whether natural, artificial, direct, or indirect, into electricity. With new regulations in Europe banning disposable batteries from 2027, Light Energy Harvesting now makes up over 50% of alternative energy solutions, alongside methods like vibration, RF, and temperature-based harvesting.
As the Internet of Things (IoT) expands, we need sustainable alternatives to power all these connected devices. While batteries were once the go-to solution, their use of rare earths and toxic materials, combined with recycling challenges, limits their viability. The rise of IoT is driven by the need for continuous data collection and transmission. We've proven that Energy Harvesting can not only extend the lifespan of battery-powered devices but, in some cases, provide full autonomy for up to 8-10 years in indoor environments.
Could you share a specific project or success story that illustrates the potential and versatility of LAYER® technology?
The latest development we’ve made with a customer, CoolR Group, is a specific LAYER® design to ensure a self-charging feature on their IR camera for vending machines. The benefits we offer are as follow:
Ø A green alternative to traditional batteries using store ambient light to power the device,
Ø Custom-shaped design to fit the plastic casing,
Ø Easy installation as an add-on for any existing vending machines,
Ø We are already working on a V2 design to meet other customer needs, potentially integrating LAYERVault technology.
France has a rich legacy of innovation and technology. How does Dracula Technologies draw from this legacy and what role do you see your company playing in strengthening France’s global reputation for technological advancement?
France has a rich history in high-end technologies, especially in sectors like medicine, chemistry, and energy. Academically France leads but it’s often slower to scale innovations globally. This is where the U.S. excels - they know how to turn innovation into business. At Dracula Technologies, we quickly saw the U.S. market as key. After setting up our production plant, I reconnected with partners and customers met at events like CES and Sensor Convergence, as well as through the Plug and Play soft-landing program in California. As for being French, I don’t think it’s necessarily an advantage outside of sectors like food, wine and luxury (laughs). But the problem we are solving is universal, it has a global impact. We are incredibly proud of the team that brought this vision to life.
As a French entrepreneur working in international markets, how has your heritage and experience influenced your professional approach?
The world is truly a village. It’s never been easier to connect with people from all over the globe. At the same time, building the right networks is crucial and I’ve been fortunate to connect with the Rocky Mountain French-American Chamber of Commerce. You've been incredibly supportive, helping Dracula Technologies meet the right people and expand our reach.
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for Dracula Technologies, and what legacy do you hope to leave in the field of sustainable and adaptive energy solutions?
Our goal is to drive innovation for a greener future that everyone can benefit from. Energy harvesting, using existing resources like light, water and temperature changes to generate local electricity, is key to solving global energy challenges. While the power we generate is small (microwatts), the scale is massive - millions or even billions of devices need this energy. If we can solve just 1% of this demand, the impact would be huge.
It’s a win-win:
For the planet: reducing rare earth usage and creating more energy-efficient electronics.
For users: providing unlimited, sustainable energy wherever people are, without the need for constant device changes or limitations.
As we conclude this inspiring conversation, it's clear that Dracula Technologies, under Jérôme’s leadership, is paving the way for a more sustainable and energy-efficient future. By leveraging cutting-edge energy harvesting solutions, the company is addressing some of the most pressing challenges of our time. The Rocky Mountain French-American Chamber of Commerce Arizona is proud to have Dracula Technologies as a valued member and we look forward to their continued expansion and success. Their innovative approach to clean energy not only strengthens France’s global reputation in technology but also promises to make a meaningful impact worldwide. We are excited to see how their pioneering solutions will shape the future of energy.
For additional information, please contact Jerome:
Jerome Vernet |
VP Sales |
T.
+33(0)6.71.58.14.01 |
Comments