When summer heatwaves hit, many households reach for a portable air conditioner: a bulky unit that eats electricity. HEXAFRESH built a different answer. Its HEXA Pro+ is a portable AC about the size of a backpack that runs on 400W and uses up to 60% less energy than conventional portable units.
Based in Nantes, the French cleantech company was founded in 2022 by engineers Mohammad Ibrahim, CEO, and Mohamad Chaaban, COO. Its story started in Lebanon, with support from Berytech, before the team set up HEXAFRESH SAS in France.
A cooler that fits in a backpack
Ibrahim and Chaaban set out to fix three problems with traditional portable AC: high energy use, bulky designs and limited portability. HEXA Pro+ cools, dehumidifies and heats, all in one compact unit.
At its core is a water-recycling technology protected by two French patents. The system reuses condensation water to make cooling more efficient, which is how the unit keeps its energy use low.
From Amazon rankings to 60 orders a day
Buyers responded fast. HEXA Pro+ became a best-selling portable air conditioner on Amazon France in March and April, and a top-selling product on Boulanger France.
HEXAFRESH sold over 1,200 units during one summer season, with more than 60 orders per day at the peak of the heatwaves. In total, the company has sold more than 2,000 units and has grown its commercial presence across several European markets.
Backing from Berytech to Bpifrance
Recognition came early. HEXAFRESH won the MIT Startup Competition for the Pan-Arab Region, chosen from 2,800 applicants. It also received €27,000 in awards and grants from the Embassy of the Netherlands in Lebanon and Berytech.
In France, the company was awarded the PL2I grant, supported by the Pays de la Loire Region and Bpifrance. HEXAFRESH has secured more than €350,000 in investment so far.
French media have taken notice too, with features on BFM Business and Estelle Midi on RMC.
HEXA Max and the summer of 2027
Next up is HEXA Max, a more powerful version developed for summer 2027. The wider goal is to make sustainable, affordable and energy-efficient cooling available to households and businesses across Europe and international markets.
"At HEXAFRESH, our mission is to reinvent cooling for a hotter world. As heatwaves intensify across Europe, we develop innovative, energy-efficient solutions that make cooling more accessible, affordable and sustainable, without compromising performance or the planet," said Mohammad Ibrahim, Founder and CEO.
Explore HEXA Pro+ and the full HEXAFRESH range on the HEXAFRESH website.
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