The Story of Our Company
By Antoine Poupel
“That’s it. It’s over.”
Those words still echo in my memory. It was 2012, and after years of working with partner agencies, I knew Corellis needed to take a new direction. That’s when I decided it was time to work directly with large enterprises, without intermediaries. But to understand this decision, we must go back to the creation of Corellis and what has always driven us: pushing the boundaries of technological innovation.
The Beginning: A Vision to Transform Industry Leaders
In 2007, the idea behind Corellis was simple yet ambitious: to help large enterprises solve complex problems through technology. We never aimed to be a traditional consulting firm. No, our approach was different. Corellis would form multidisciplinary squads capable of managing projects from start to finish, integrating seamlessly with our clients’ teams while maintaining independence in execution. We would become a trusted partner, offering not only advanced technical solutions but also a comprehensive strategic vision.
In the beginning, we were still young, primarily collaborating with large French agencies. But we quickly realized that if we wanted to create something unique, we had to go straight to the source: working directly with the “game changers”, those leading companies ready to invest in transformative digital solutions.
The Transition Years: From Agency Partner to Innovation Leader
Between 2007 and 2011, Corellis collaborated with agencies like SBW, Dagobert, Adenyo, Mediaconnect, Valtech or Same Same (but different) on digital projects for well-known brands. But in 2012, we took a bold step. We decided to directly approach major French corporations. This decision marked a turning point for Corellis. We began working with Alstom, Michelin, Airbus, Pernod Ricard, EY, and CMA-CGM, helping these companies navigate their digital transformations, from strategy to execution.
At the same time, we never lost sight of our desire to work with startups—those agile, fast-moving companies looking to disrupt the market. We supported them in their search for product-market fit, in the design of their solutions, and often in their first steps onto the market.
2013: Exploring New Technological Frontiers
By 2013, Corellis had taken a leap forward in exploring emerging technologies. This was when we first ventured into augmented and mixed reality. Through partnerships with tech leaders like Metaio, Meta Glass (we were early Kickstarter backers), Google Glass, and Hololens, we created innovative solutions for companies seeking to reinvent their business processes using immersive technologies.
This was an exciting time for Corellis, where technology became not just a tool for innovation, but a lever to transform customer relations. Our solutions went far beyond internal projects; they had a direct impact on how our clients interacted with their own audiences, enabling them to create engaging and immersive experiences.
2015: Reinventing Design Thinking for Large Enterprises
Corellis has always believed that technological innovation must be accompanied by a user-centered approach. That’s why, in 2015, we set out to reinvent design thinking to address the complex challenges of large enterprises. At a time when many still saw this method as something reserved for startups or small teams, we proved that it could be applied at scale within large, complex organizations.
We developed specific methods, documented in our Service Design Methods booklet, that allowed our clients to place people at the heart of their projects while achieving measurable results. Our multidisciplinary squads, blending designers, developers, and business experts, helped create seamless and optimized customer journeys, all while integrating smoothly with existing infrastructures.
Our approach to design thinking went beyond interfaces and products; it was also about transforming the organization itself. We worked with R&D, marketing, and IT teams to align their objectives with solutions centered on the user experience, fundamentally changing how they interacted with their customers and their market.
The Launch of the Lab and the Rise of Artificial Intelligence
In 2017, Corellis made another bold move: opening a laboratory dedicated to artificial intelligence and blockchain. We had understood that these technologies would not only transform internal business processes but also reshape how companies interacted with the market.
This lab allowed us to work on exploratory solutions in these fields, from automating internal processes to predictive consumer data analysis. This experience laid the groundwork for what would become Sensia. We were already shaping the future by integrating AI into our solutions to meet the growing needs of our clients for digital transformation.
A Company Culture Built on Excellence and Trust
At the heart of Corellis, there has always been a set of values guiding our work: transparency, excellence, and the desire to take on complex challenges. We believed in the freedom to speak openly, in total honesty with our clients. We knew that by tackling complexity, we could create the most value.
Every member of the Corellis team shared this philosophy. Our employees took pride in their work and in their ability to transform ideas into concrete solutions. We were more than a company; we were a community where trust and the enjoyment of working together formed the foundation of our success.
2024: The Transition to Sensia
After years of exploration and innovation, we reached a tipping point. It became clear that artificial intelligence was no longer just another innovation. It had become essential. Thus, in 2024, Corellis transitioned into Sensia, a spin-off entirely dedicated to intelligent automation.
Sensia carries the spirit of Corellis but with a new mission far beyond merely optimizing content or automating processes. At its core, Sensia is driven by a deeper purpose: to help brands create better products. By transforming consumer data into actionable insights, Sensia empowers companies to develop products that not only meet but exceed consumer expectations, contributing to a better world. We believe that by improving the products we bring to market, we have the power to positively impact lives, foster innovation, and build a more sustainable future.
This transition to Sensia is the natural culmination of a decade of research, experimentation, and collaboration with some of the largest companies and most innovative startups. Through Sensia, we are not just helping brands succeed; we are actively working to create a world where every product reflects a deeper understanding of consumer needs and values.