From ESIEE to London: Behind the Scenes of a Global Victory Against 30,000 Projects

On November 14th in London, what began as an intuition born from a traveler's need found itself in the spotlight of an international stage. Here is the unfiltered story of this journey, from solitary beginnings to congratulations from tech giants.

The Origin: From a Bike Workshop to a Student Bedroom

Before the London spotlights, Portalo was an answer to an absurd challenge. In 2021, while working in a mechanical workshop, I saw technicians cleaning cutting-edge machines with liters of water, risking flooding the floor or flushing out the grease from internal bearings. Water volume was the enemy of mechanics. I needed a precise tool, as manageable as a hose, but using minimal water.

For two years, the idea matured through family jokes. While traveling, my mother often regretted the lack of an effective hygiene solution. I would jokingly reply: "Don't worry, I'll make your portable shattafa one day!". These jokes eventually turned into an obsession.

The "Fog" and the First Stone

In August 2022, after two intense years of engineering prep school, my brain was at its limit, and thinking had become almost painful. To escape this mental 'fog,' I decided to stop overthinking and just take action. I started by laying the first stone: I blindly bought a small €150 Creality 3D printer which I didn’t even know how to turn on.

My "laboratory-room" in 2022: where the first PORTALO took shape.

I was fascinated to discover that a nozzle heated to 200°C could transform simple cornstarch filaments into tangible objects. The entire apartment began to smell like popcorn. It felt almost surreal: I was using a plant-based resource to print, layer by layer, objects that felt exactly like plastic to the touch.

The Necessary Failure: A Design Lesson

The first prototype, based on a garden sprayer, leaked and cracked, but the water jet was there. I was moved. Aware of my limitations, I then made the mistake of delegating too quickly, sinking my initial savings into a design agency for a result that was hideous and unusable.

It was this failure that forced me to install Solidworks and model every single piece myself. Portalo wouldn't be what it is today if I hadn't decided to become the architect of my own product again.

Prototyping the PORTALO during my free time after school.

The Decisive Step: Scaling in China

Once the functional prototype was modeled, a new reality hit me: 3D printing is ideal for validating a concept, but how do you move to mass production? To design industrial molds and find manufacturers capable of understanding my vision, I had to go to the source.

In late 2024, thanks to funding from ESIEE Paris competitions, I flew to China for Guangzhou and the legendary Canton Fair. The stakes of this trip were huge: finding a reliable long-term industrial partner while avoiding the classic trap of a supplier becoming a direct competitor.

The Miracle of the Last Day in Guangdong

It was finally on the very last day of the fair, 24 hours before closing, that the meeting happened. Through my sourcing agent, I was put in touch with a factory based in Guangdong. The connection was instant.

Their factory already specialized in electric portable showers. It was fascinating to see that this market had been flourishing since the previous year. Yet, despite their cutting-edge expertise, no one had yet managed to perfect a model that could work entirely without electricity while including a retractable hose.

Analyzing the 3D model and physical prototype with the engineering team, and a glimpse of the assembly lines at the Guangdong factory.

Once at the factory, the owner personally met with me to study my project. We sat around a table, analyzing my CAD designs on a large screen with the physical prototype in hand.

That's when the vision of Portalo truly clicked. They mastered electronics and lithium batteries; I brought a "Low-Tech" French vision, designed for ecology and durability (a philosophy I later discussed on Franceinfo). The challenge of doing "more with less", meaning high efficiency through fluid mechanics without the planned obsolescence of a battery, immediately piqued the interest of their engineering department. Thus, our collaboration began, merging their industrial power with my mechanical innovation.

The London Pitch: 3 Minutes to Convince in Chaos

Fast forward to November 2025. Stepping onto the stage to represent the fruit of this newly patented work against 30,000 candidates is an unforgettable experience. Yet, my first feeling coming off stage was frustration. Due to a technical audio monitor issue, I could only hear myself speak through the room's echo. My voice was breathless, my English sometimes hesitant under the adrenaline rush.

The timer was relentless: I stopped without having time to deliver my final "Call to Action." At that moment, I thought I had blown my chance. But that’s when the jury stepped in, turning my "failure" into a decisive Q&A session.

Karim Ali pitching live on the CoCreate 2025 stage.

The Questions That Changed Everything

Rio Ferdinand opened the floor with the most critical question: "How do you plan to launch this product if it's still just a prototype?". It was the perfect opportunity to prove that Portalo wasn't just an idea, but a mature industrial project. I explained that the design was already optimized for manufacturing ("Design for Manufacturing") and that my logistical and industrial partners were ready for scaling.

Then, Sara Davies asked about intellectual property. My answer was clear: the patent is pending and the trademark is protected, securing the product's commercial future.

Finally, athlete Alistair Brownlee raised the question of target audiences. Despite the stress, I was able to illustrate Portalo's universality: from parents at the park with their kids to hikers, to the cultural influence of the Middle East and Asia where water-based hygiene is the standard.

"I saw Éric Larchevêque look at the crowd with a knowing nod when I specified that the system worked without any battery. That’s when I felt we had won the jury's heart."

Karim Ali with his award alongside Éric Larchevêque, co-founder of Ledger.

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Who are the experts who validated Portalo?

To understand the weight of this victory, look at who made up this legendary jury:

National Recognition: From London to Franceinfo

Back in France, the echo of this victory resonated in national media. Franceinfo highlighted Portalo as a prime example of the French student ecosystem succeeding internationally.

This report highlights a crucial point: "Low-Tech" innovation. Portalo proves we can solve global problems like hygiene and water conservation without relying on complex electronics or polluting batteries. It’s this sustainable vision that won over both the public and experts.

A Victory Forged at ESIEE and Pépite 3EF

This London success is the culmination of years of work supported by the French entrepreneurial ecosystem. Before London, Portalo had already stood out:

• Pépite 3EF Laureate: "Booste ton Projet 2024 & 2025" Award.
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation Coaching: Second prize awarded by Jean-Michel Karam, founder of MEMSCAP and an exceptional mentor.

Jean-Michel Karam and Éric Larchevêque, both ESIEE Paris alumni and 'Shark Tank' judges, were among the first to believe in the potential of the problem Portalo solves.

Conclusion: Ready for the Final Stage

Today, Portalo is transitioning from a student project to a company ready for its global launch. Everette Taylor's encouragement for our Kickstarter campaign is the starting signal for the next big step.

Join the adventure. Secure your priority access for the 2026 launch and get 30% off the first production units. Together, let’s change portable hygiene.

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