Do not leave alone to sail around the world… ⛵
But do dare to leave safe havens!
We must confess that we have not been performing at peak productivity yesterday afternoon…
Indeed, last night the first sailors of the Vendee Globe, the only round-the-world, solo, non-stop sailing race, started crossing the finish line. And the race was an intense one until the last minute, the top competitors arriving only hours from each others after more than 80 days of circling the globe!
Within the Incubateur team, we have been quite engrossed in the adventure (and not only because one of our alumnæ is currently taking part in it!), especially because the journey of a round-the-world solo sailor actually bears more than a few similarities to that of an entrepreneur.
Watching day after day sailors find themselves:
in a long journey that can sometimes feel without end;
alone at the helm, but still feeling the support of the community they gathered behind them;
fighting to onboard big corporations on their project;
meeting unexpected disasters that they have to solve with quick and dirty fixes;
ever grateful for supportive life partners and loved ones;
finding their time being 90% of sweat and blood and 10% of incredible heights;
and - something unusual for the race that seems almost made to help us build on that metaphor - not being the fastest in the race, but still managing to win the prize thanks to the rewards of helping others along the way;
is quite reminiscent of our daily job helping entrepreneurs through their highs and lows to accomplish the most they can…
The best lesson we received from watching this adventure was that as all those sailors are able to go that far thanks to their support team staying on land, as can entrepreneurs go farther on their journey by seeking the best startup programs and getting all they can from them.
Are you ready to join the next race with us?
It so happens…
…that we just opened applications for our upcoming Spring batch! 🌷
If you are:
A learner with a link to HEC Paris (including through a MOOC).
An ambitious startup founder with a will to change the world.
Already working full-time on your project.
The creator of at least a prototype or MVP of a product.
Either looking to join our space within Station F or to join online from anywhere in the world.
With our new system, you only need to fill out the bare bones of your application before you get the first response, so you don't have any excuse not to start.
A last look to the past ⌛
What’s going on among our incubees? 📰
If you are wondering what our startups have been up to during the past two weeks, check out the fruits of our biweekly press watch, including:
💰 HD Rain raising 1 M€.
💰 Vesta Construction Technologies raising 3 M€.
📺 Our incubees on BFM, Cnews, BSmart, Vogue, etc.
🏆 And all their latest successes…
Did you miss our latest webinar? ☁️
You need happy customers to get new customers!
So, how do you get your first clients when you don't have any? Especially when you have a B2B solution?
Re-watch Felix from Omny Cloud sharing his experience on the topic in our latest webinar!
Accelerating cross-border luxury shopping 🇰🇷
Somi Park is the founder of Korean startup London Friday.
From the partner program of Incubateur HEC Paris with the Korean Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development to our new Online Program, she has been through a whole journey with us.
Discover her story of building a bridge between the world of luxury in France and in Korea.
Looking toward our future 🔮
Untangling the mess of first-time fundraising 🤑
Are you lost in the mess of available options to fund a company?
Between public subventions, grants, loans, equity funding, etc. what should be the right mix?
Jump on the chance to join the team of one of our sister programs! 💪
The Incubateur HEC Paris is just one part of the bigger HEC Entrepreneurship family!
Whether you are interested in female entrepreneurship or in impact entrepreneurship, you can find your dream job today.
The Accélérateur ESS is looking for a new communications intern, while HEC Stand Up is looking for a new program manager, don't miss out!
What about your future? 🎯
Find your dream job! 💼
Our startups are always looking for talent! Will you be the one?
🌧️ HD Rain is building the future of meteorology, and they are hiring for four new positions.
🖼️ Want to make the internet faster? TwicPics is hiring for two new positions.
🚚 Shipup is growing - fast. They are looking for their new CMO to build the future of the business.
🏗️ DIM is looking for a business development intern, send a message to Michella!
Before you leave us, here is your reading list for the weekend 📚
Bookmark your favourite for your rainy Sunday reading!
⚖️ Read the advice from Woog & Associés on protecting a company brand.
💸 Wondering how to optimize your cashflows? Read Fygr’s latest advice on cashflow management!
🏗️ Discover the interview by Vesta of their newly hired talent.
🔊 Listen to Elliot's latest podcast on learning and teaching.
🎨 Interested in contemporary art? Discover Artpoint's interview of artist Jaime de los Rios.
🤖 Looking to increase your productivity? Read Jordan from NR2 piece on using tech as a second brain.
🤝 Rewatch Simundia's webinar on keeping a human touch in remote HR.
🏢 How to manage an office-focused startup in 2020? Read Imagin'Office 2020 recap to find out!
👩 Listen to Claire from Fusion Bra talk about being a female role model in an upcoming webinar.
Nostalgia Zone
🔗 Top clicked links of our last newsletter
Our winter batch just started, discover the new members of the family!
What is the best place to work from? Find out in our webinar!
HEC Foundation sponsored a Design Sprint weekend to bring newcomers to the fold.
👉 Get in Touch 👈
"A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor."