Asteo

What Asteo does

Asteo is a French engineering consultancy (bureau d'études) founded in 2003 by Yves Jacquet in Limonest, near Lyon, operating as a SAS with a small specialist team of five members: one structural calculator and four drafters/designers. The company designs and engineers lightweight metal-textile structures, with a core specialization in tensile membrane architecture (toile tendue) for applications including circus tents (chapiteaux), covered walkways, school canopies, infrastructure covers, building facades, and architectural installations. Its client base spans architects, construction companies, municipalities, and end-users across France and international markets including Canada, England, Monaco, USA, and Italy.

The firm's technical foundation rests on a specialized finite element analysis toolchain. SYSTUS (ESI GROUP) is used for linear structural calculations and generalized buckling analysis of metal frameworks, while MEFTX — a proprietary non-linear membrane finite element calculation software originally developed by academics in 1985 and used by Asteo for over 20 years — handles membrane-specific analysis. This toolchain supports form-finding optimization (minimal surface search or tension games on cable and membrane elements), mechanical behavior simulation under programmed or imposed loads (snow, wind), displacement and stress iso-value visualization, and fabrication-ready pattern cutting via successive triangulation methods that produce dwg/dxf files for workshop production.

Asteo generates revenue as a B2B professional services firm through project-based engineering studies, structural calculations, and execution drawings. Engagements are acquired through direct relationships with architects and construction companies, architectural collaborations during design development, and public procurement processes for municipal and infrastructure clients. Projects span diverse verticals including circus and entertainment (Piste d'Azur, Arlette Gruss, Cavalia, Cirque Arlette Gruss, Bronett, Churchill), education (multiple schools, CREPS Bourges), government infrastructure (Biarritz airport, Rungis toll, La Rochelle maritime museum, Vichy), retail (Carrefour, Centre Commercial Claira), sports (Châteauroux boulodrome, Bourg-La-Reine tennis), maritime (TUI Cruises), automotive (Renault Béziers), and high-end fashion events (Dior SS2020 via BETAK). Pricing is per engagement with no publicly disclosed rate cards.

Name

Asteo

Legal name

ASTEO

Website

https://asteo.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Asteo is a French engineering consultancy specializing in metal-textile and tensile membrane structural design. Founded in 2003 in Limonest, the firm serves architects, construction companies, municipalities, and entertainment clients across France and international markets with a 5-person specialist team using proprietary finite element analysis tools.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Tensile Membrane Structural Engineering

NAICS

Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413), Architectural Services (541310)

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711), Prefabricated Metal Buildings & Components (3448)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Coated & Laminated Industrial Fabrics (Tarpaulins/Awnings/Inflatables/Architectural Membranes) (IMAOADAI)

Keywords

• Structural engineering services
• Tensile membrane architecture
• Metal textile structures
• Finite element analysis
• Tensioned fabric engineering

Headquarters

HQ city

Limonest

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Engineering Studies and Consultancy Services: Asteo generates revenue through providing engineering studies, structural calculations, and execution studies for metal-textile structures. Services include form-finding analysis, structural dimensioning, and fabrication drawings for both metal frameworks and membranes.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Asteo is a French structural engineering bureau d'études that provides execution studies, form-finding analysis, and structural dimensioning for metal frameworks combined with tensioned flexible membranes. The firm delivers fabrication-ready drawings (dwg/dxf) for chapiteaux, canopies, covered walkways, building facades, and other tensile architecture, using proprietary MEFTX membrane software and SYSTUS for linear structural analysis. Services span aluminum, glulam, and steel frames paired with textile coverings, and include tender assistance to architectural firms.

Product overview

Asteo is a structural engineering bureau (bureau d'études structures métalliques et textiles) specializing in the design and study of lightweight metal and tensile membrane structures. Founded in 2003 in Limonest, France, the company operates internationally in textile architecture, structures, studies, frameworks, and particularly in the domain of tensioned canvas (toile tendue). The core offerings include execution studies for metal structures with tensioned flexible membranes, design of chapiteaux (tent/membrane structures), span-type covered structures, and Chinese-hat style tensile membrane structures. The company also provides structural calculation services using finite element methods (SYSTUS and MEFTX software) and project development collaboration with architects and construction companies. All services are delivered through a team of five members (one calculator and four draughtsmen).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Conception et études de chapiteaux (Tent design and engineering studies) Design and engineering studies for tent/membrane structures (chapiteaux) used in circus and live entertainment applications, covering both the textile cover and the metal/wooden structural framework.
• Structures type portées (Span-type structures) Engineering of span-type tensile membrane structures including covered walkways, canopies, and tensile roofs for architectural applications such as airports, schools, museums, and commercial centers.
• Structures type chapeau chinois (Chinese hat structures) Engineering of Chinese hat-style tensile membrane structures characterized by central high points with surrounding lower points, used for covered spaces such as wastewater treatment stations, sports facilities, and school canopies.
• Calculs de structures (Structural calculations) Structural calculations using finite element methods (SYSTUS and MEFTX software) to dimension aluminum frames, glued-laminated timber, or steel structures combined with textile coverings.
• Mise au point de projets métallo-textiles (Metal-textile project development) Collaborative project development with architects or construction companies to optimize and validate metal-textile structure concepts, including assistance to architectural firms during tender processes.
• Standard metal structure and textile products (Produits de structures métalliques et toiles standards) Standardized metal structure and textile product range including school canopies, covered walkways, and pre-designed tensile membrane solutions for common applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Form optimization can reduce internal forces when form-finding is optimized
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers49 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AB2CS (structure manufacturer)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2005Structure manufacturer producing metallic frameworks for chapiteaux projects including Piste d'Azur (with VSO for canvas).
• Architects and Construction CompaniescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAsteo collaborates with architects and construction companies to develop and validate metal-textile structure projects, optimizing concepts and providing execution assistance during tender processes.
• VSO (canvas manufacturer)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCanvas manufacturer producing textile covers for chapiteaux and structures. Partner on multiple projects including Piste d'Azur, Chapiteau Arabie, Churchill, and Ginestous station.
• CANOBBIOcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerItalian manufacturer providing structures and canvas for major projects including Rosny circus school and Cavalia II.
• ANCESCHIcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStructure manufacturer for Peter Pan and Cavalia II chapiteaux projects.
• SIRCcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStructure manufacturer for Boulodrome Châteauroux and multiple other projects including STX abris and shopping center structures.
• ACML (charpente/acier)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMetal framework manufacturer for Musée Maritime de La Rochelle project.
• ACS PRODUCTIONcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStructure and canvas manufacturer involved in multiple projects including Collège Jean Dunois, STX abris, and shopping center structures.
• ESMERY-CARONcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStructure manufacturer for CREPS Bourges and other projects.
• ACS Production / MASSEminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStructure manufacturers for Théâtre Poupet project.
• B+C architectesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitects for Tennis Poliveau Paris project.
• Les indiens blancsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitects for Boulodrome de Châteauroux project.
• CANOBBIO et SIRCcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStructure manufacturers for Eglise de Rome project.
• Spoutnik ArchitectureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm as maîtrise d'œuvre for Péage Rungis projects.
• SMC2minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStructure manufacturer for Théâtre de verdure Mont-Dore project.
• Yves Simon (Architecte)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitect for Parc d'Activités Commerciales Claira shopping center project.
• Perraudin ArchitectesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm as maîtrise d'œuvre with ASTEO for Ecole d'Architecture de Lyon sunscreen renovation.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• MakMax Australia: Asia-Pacific tensile membrane design, fabrication, and installation specialist; serves sports stadia and large-span structures, comparable in technical scope to Asteo but geographically distinct.

Broad incumbents

• Schlaich Bergermann Partner (SBP): Renowned German structural engineering consultancy with extensive tensile and lightweight structure projects; a larger, more diversified incumbent that competes on prestige tenders.
• Arup: Global engineering consultancy with a strong sports, culture, and lightweight structures practice; competes with Asteo on large signature projects requiring multi-disciplinary teams.
• Buro Happold: Global multi-disciplinary engineering firm with a dedicated lightweight/tensile structures team; broader portfolio but competes with Asteo for marquee tensile architecture commissions.

Direct peers

• Structurflex: Designer and fabricator of custom tensile membrane structures for architecture, sports, and events; competes for similar canopies, facades, and event structures as Asteo.
• Form TL: German engineering firm specializing in lightweight tensile and membrane structures; provides form-finding, structural engineering, and fabrication drawings — a closely matching service to Asteo's niche.
• Birdair: North American designer and installer of tensile architecture (stadiums, airports, facades); competes with Asteo for large-span membrane projects and shares material expertise in PTFE/ETFE membranes.
• Base Structures: UK firm designing, manufacturing, and installing tensile fabric structures for sports, education, and public realms — a directly comparable end-to-end membrane specialist from a similar-sized peer perspective.
• Novum Structures: Design-build specialist in tensile membrane and cable net structures serving global architectural and entertainment projects; overlaps directly with Asteo's chapiteaux and canopy portfolio.
• Tensys: UK-based specialist engineering consultancy focused on tensile and lightweight structures, providing FEA and form-finding services comparable to Asteo's MEFTX/SYSTUS-based offering.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/asteo

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Asteo