Musings on hardware investing in France
Since May is hardware month in Paris, I’ve been reflecting lately on venture capital investing in French hardware startups. I’m far from an expert on hardware investing — only a small fraction of my VC portfolio over the years has been in hardware. Despite this, I’ve noticed an order-of-magnitude leap in incoming deal flow from […]
Slush Asia 2016
I’ve written before about how European startups should consider prioritizing Asia (even before the U.S.) in their global expansion. Many overlooked Asian countries – particularly Japan and South East Asia – represent open fields of opportunity, either for customer expansion or revenue enhancement. They also represent fertile ground for innovation, which can close the feedback […]
After Alcatel-Lucent, Nokia acquires connected health startup Withings for €170 Million
Almost one year to the date since their acquisition of France’s Alcatel-Lucent, Nokia announced today that it will pay €170 million to acquire Paris-based Withings. Nokia is seeking a major role in the burgeoning Internet of Things space, and has been making acquisitions in order to put that in place. The Finnish company has been looking […]
Meet the 5 startups selected to pitch tonight at #PARISFOUNDERS
Tonight, our 10th and last edition of #ParisFounders is taking place at Palais Brongniart. During the past editions, we brought together nearly 5,000 attendees and received more than a thousand applications for startups who wanted to present their product on stage. After this 10th edition, we will have seen 50 startups demo their on stage. Our alumni include including […]
Lendix acquires rival lending platform Finsquare to grab bigger share of crowdfunding market
Paris-based Lendix announced today that it has snapped up cross-town lending platform rival Finsquare. The deal is a small signal of a maturing Fintech scene in France. Both services allow small and medium businesses to use crowdfunding to borrow money for projects. In a press release, Lendix executives said the two companies offer complimentary services, as Finsquare […]
Axelle Tessandier on her six years in Silicon Valley and her return to France
The decision to leave France in 2009 was as obvious for Axelle Tessandier as was the decision to return last year. In both cases, the founder of the Axl Agency, felt the desire to be part of something new and exciting. And in both cases, there was something in her gut telling her to just go. […]
In France, a failed government for startups
This year’s political debates in France have largely centered around what was meant to be major reform to labor regulations, which have left France’s unemployment rate up around 15% (near 25% for those under 25). The task: Find middle-ground that will make it less risky, less expensive, and less restrictive for employers to hire and fire. In the beginning of […]
Mobile messaging: is it (finally) the Americans’ time ?
Long time readers of this blog will recognize my fascination with mobile messaging apps for a while now (Don’t shoot the Messenger, Line vs WeChat, My personalized Line stickers, etc.). For years now I’ve argued that the modern wave of messaging rose in Asia, with the West playing catch-up. Last year I wrote about my […]
Sigfox deal with Microsoft latest sign of IOT startup’s torrid pace of global expansion in 2016
No one can accuse Sigfox of thinking small. Since the Toulouse-based company announced its then-record €100 Million round of venture financing in February 2015, the company has been pressing hard to made good on its plans for global expansion. It’s move to enter the U.S. market last year was one of its biggest gambles. But […]
A European perspective on Japan Fintech
Yesterday I was unexpectedly invited to join a live broadcast at the Tokyo Bankers Association discussing Fintech. It appears that many of the market dynamics affecting the financial sector in Europe are similar in Japan, so I touched on these. While one could argue that the landscape for European Fintech startups has reached saturation levels […]