Michelin Launches OYA Urban Tree, an Inflatable Canopy, with Scale Up Booster

A Prototype Transformed into a Structured Entrepreneurial Project

OYA Urban Tree, derived from the Sombrero prototype developed by the Michelin Innovation Lab teams, is an inflatable structure capable of creating over 260 m² of shade. Tested twice in Toulouse, the solution has proven its operational utility and public appeal. The Clermont-based group has chosen Scale Up Booster to structure this prototype into a distinct entrepreneurial project and accelerate its market entry. The OYA Urban Tree startup, launching in 2026, will bring together a leadership team of entrepreneurs and industrial experts, supported by the founding team of Sombrero on its Advisory Board. This canopy addresses the climatic challenges of urban areas and events heavily exposed to sunlight. Its lightweight and reversible design allows for flexible installation without heavy infrastructure, a useful capability in spaces where traditional solutions (greening, fixed structures) are difficult to implement.

Fundraising Initiated for Industrialization and Deployment

OYA Urban Tree has begun a fundraising campaign to support its industrialization phases and commercial deployment in France and internationally. With the support of Scale Up Booster and backing from Michelin, the project aims for an initial market presence by 2026, followed by the start of international deployment the same year. The partnership is based on a significant human and financial commitment from Scale Up Booster, aimed at structuring the economic model and scaling up commercially. Olivier Vuichard, Innovation Manager at Michelin, states that 'the Scale Up Booster team has given real entrepreneurial substance' to the prototype, combining 'industrial vision, business structuring, and international strategy'. Albert Szulman and Michel Ktitareff, co-founders of Scale Up Booster, assert that 'OYA meets a current global need: adapting cities and events to intense heat'.