HyDetect transforms hydrogen leak detection
HyDetect develops intelligent detection systems to identify hydrogen leaks earlier, pinpoint their exact source, and estimate the volume being lost—helping industrial operators improve safety while reducing costly downtime.
Conventional detectors only confirm hydrogen being leaked ‘somewhere’ on a site. Locating the source of this invisible, odourless gas often requires shutting down operations and carrying out manual inspections, potentially costing millions per day.
In what is a genuine breakthrough, HyDetect puts novel, ultra-sensitive sensors in a network with proprietary software that analyses data, learns from real-world leak events, and becomes more accurate over time. The technology will be available as:
Fixed detector networks for refineries and other hydrogen-intensive plants
Drone-mounted systems for inspecting long pipelines efficiently.
By combining early warning, precise localization, and actionable loss estimates, HyDetect helps hydrogen operators respond faster, minimize production disruption, and build safer, more profitable operations.
Team of HyDetect and its history
The current HyDetect team, which is spinning off HyReveal*, consists of experienced technical specialists: PhD’s in electrical engineering and mechatronics, with a deep IP track record (portfolio > 60 patents). These specialists have already worked together within HyReveal, developing a novel hydrogen detector from scratch, bringing it to TRL 7 and commercializing it. This work gave ideas on a much larger market where similar devices could be applied.
HyDetect already has a candidate for the role of CBO, a person experienced in sales of air quality instruments in the USA to industrial customers, Master in Project management and expert in European non-dilutive funding.
The company also has advisors from the gas industry, which were holding senior executive roles in major gas companies.
* HyReveal is a French deep-tech company setting a new standard for better subsurface exploration - from natural gas to natural hydrogen, helium or CCS. It developed a physics- and chemistry-based platform that models the full fluid system of the subsurface before drilling. Its co-founders are Viacheslav Zgonnik and Jonathan Allard. Viacheslav Zgonnik is a repeat founder, PhD in Chemistry and world expert in natural hydrogen. He is co-founder of HyDetect, is acting as CEO of HyDetect today and will step down from management but will remain active once the new CEO takes the helm.
The parent company has scientific collaborations which will be transferred and expanded.
Product, IP and differentiation
HyDetect is developing proprietary detector hardware and interpretation software around a proven licensable sensor platform. Through its parent startup, HyReveal, HyDetect has secured an exclusive period to negotiate a sensor-technology licence with a major US industrial-technology provider. HyDetect will retain sole ownership of the system that integrates the sensor into an overall detector with proprietary software.
The company’s differentiation is further reinforced by:
An integrated fixed-and-mobile architecture, combining networked site detection with drone-based pipeline inspection.
A clear move beyond detection, addressing the largely open market for precise hydrogen leak localization, including natural hydrogen leaks.
A submitted PCT patent covering the detection from hydrogen leaks from of underground sources as well.
Together, these elements create a defensible technology platform: proprietary localization software, owned system IP, a self-enhancing data advantage, an integrated product architecture, and patent protection in underground hydrogen detection.
HyDetect will also benefit from the TRL7 hydrogen detector developed by the parent company, which, after certain adaption, will be commercialized by HyDetect along with its main product to the same customers.
We are looking for an entrepreneurial CEO (with a path to co-founder) with strong expertise in commercial scale-up, manufacturing strategy, and supply chain development to support and sustain business growth.
Collaborating alongside the founders, you will play a key role in shaping the company, driving its growth strategy, structuring its operations, and supporting its market development.
If this initial collaboration proves successful, with demonstrated professional achievements and a strong, trusted, and effective relationship with the co-founders, the position is intended to evolve into a formal CEO and Co-Founder role, including equity participation in the company.
CEO to lead growth
Parent company HyReveal is looking for a full-time CEO to take the helm at HyDetect and lead it through the next growth phases.
This will entail commercial roll-out as well as establishing manufacturing solutions and supply-chain capabilities to ensure the growing business is efficiently catered to.
The new CEO will now further build up HyDetect’s team, functions and processes.
Traits and experiences expected to make the CEO succeed are:
· Entrepreneurial: relentlessly creates new value from a sharply envisioned strategic canvas. Already has held positions in start-ups.
· Experience of developing hardware products from prototype to commercial viability. Ideally is knowledgeable about hardware certification norms.
· Affinity for and understanding of clients who operate physical process industries. Experience with long, industrial B2B sales cycles will prove valuable.
· Ideally, experience with or around hydrogen in oil refineries or chemical plants or knowledgeable about (industrial) gases markets.
· Engaging: inspires and mobilises people to join a compelling HyDetect journey: clients, investors, hires, suppliers
· Resolving conflicts and obstacles through active listening and collaborative problem solving.
· Promoting a culture of continuous feedback, trust, and open dialogue across the organization.
· A true believer in Health, Safety & Environment being paramount to sustainable, profitable industries
· Financially literate, and at ease with company governance, business processes and risk management - such that the company can grows in size and complexity serenely.
Don't meet 100% of the requirements? Let's talk.
We are not looking for a perfect match on paper. Above all, we are seeking a trusted professional with an entrepreneurial mindset, strong execution capabilities, and the desire to build and grow this venture together with us.
Geographically, it would be advantageous for the CEO to be based in France (Paris basin).
Timewise: start January 2027, before that the company expects for CEO candidate to proactively participate in the fundraising process and structuring of the future entity.