Empowering Vision: Luca Verre MBA’14J from INSEAD to innovating silicon retina technology

In June 2024, we had the honour of interviewing Luca Verre MBA’14J to discuss the founding of Prophesee, an ambitious venture that is revolutionizing vision technology.  Luca co-founded Prophesee during his P2 term at INSEAD, alongside Christophe Posch, an Austrian researcher, who was pioneering the development of artificial silicon retinas at the Vision Institute in Paris.  Seizing the opportunity presented by a Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) grant, they accelerated the project to industrialize the first silicon retina for medical applications. 

Luca holds a degree in electrical engineering from Italy and gained invaluable international experience through pivotal roles at Schneider Electric in Japan and Germany. Christophe’s journey brought him from working at CERN on ground-breaking scientific projects to focusing on developing new technologies for vision at the Vision and Natural Computation Lab of the Vision Institute in Paris. Their combined experiences laid the groundwork for their innovative silicon retina technology. 

Upon graduating from INSEAD in 2014, Luca and Christophe launched Prophesee, securing funding and expanding their team. They successfully deployed the initial silicon retina for medical use, and soon realized its broader potential. The technology had the capacity to revolutionize multiple sectors where vision is crucial, including AI, autonomous vehicles, surveillance systems, and smartphones. Over the years, Prophesee has developed six generations of vision sensors, each iteration improving on the last. 

INSEAD played a pivotal role in Luca’s entrepreneurial journey. One of the key highlights was the entrepreneurship boot camp, which provided intensive hands-on experience that fuelled his ambition to start a company. This environment of opportunity and support was instrumental in meeting Christophe and launching Prophesee. 

Balancing entrepreneurship with family life has been both challenging and rewarding. Luca credits his wife’s unwavering support during the early days when he frequently commuted between Lyon and Fontainebleau. Prioritizing time with family and maintaining this balance remains a top priority. 

INSEAD's network has been invaluable, offering connections, advice, and inspiration from fellow entrepreneurs. The school's unique blend of opportunities, diverse perspectives, and a supportive community creates a fertile ground for innovation and entrepreneurship. As Prophesee continues to grow, Luca remains committed to giving back to this community, sharing his experiences, and supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs at INSEAD