History

-February 1996-

Patrice Faucogney, a career soldier and sports enthusiast, ended up paraplegic after a snowboarding accident.

-November 1996-

After several stays in hospitals and physical therapy centres, Patrice arrived at Ploemeur’s Kerpape physical therapy centre in Morbihan where he met Mathieu Rietman (an orthopaedic prosthetist), and then during treatments outside the centre with Vincent Leroy (a physical therapist).

Through such activities as kayaking, catamaran sailing, or simply swimming and diving, he realized how difficult it was to access such activities with his friends.

-July 1998-

After reflecting on the situation, Patrice Faucogney and his friends decided to develop a wheelchair providing access to beaches and swimming, allowing the user to be autonomous over difficult terrain, easily disassembled, with small overall dimensions for easy storage in a vehicle or boat, and highly robust.

-1999-2001-

Period during which Patrice Faucogney and his friends developed the “Hippocampe” wheelchair

-2002-

The company Vipamat (from VIncent PAtrice MAThieu) created

to manufacture and market the “Hippocampe.”

First employee hired.

The Hippocampe and its designer received numerous awards

-Lépine Competition at the Invention Salon in Lorient

-Lépine Competition at the Invention Salon in Cherbourg

-2003-

-Lépine Competition at the International Invention Salon in Paris - Gold Medal

-Lépine Competition at the International Invention Salon in Paris

Anvar Award from the Ministry of Innovation

-Masters 2003 for business creation

-2003 Observeur Design Award from the Agence pour la Promotion de la Création Industrielle Paris, France

DESIGN EXCELLENCE AND ASSISTANCE TECHNOLOGY AWARD (rewarding excellence in Design for All and Assistive Technology) from the European Commission in Düsseldorf.

-2004-　

Development and marketing for the Pool Hippocampe wheelchair providing easy access to public pools, access to changing rooms, toilettes, showers, foot baths, pools with ramps.

NF Collectivités Certification for the Hippocampe a symbol of French quality standards

-2005-

FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) certification for Vipamat to market the Hippocampe in the USA and Canada.

-2007-

Development and marketing of the Orchidée.

-Coloplast Award

-2008-

NF Health Certification

“Research and Development” Department Opened