All hail the startup nation!
If you have been spending any time on LinkedIn following Cédric O or Bruno Le Maire, you might be suffering from a bad case of funding vertigo.
It seems these days as if every other week sees the birth of a new unicorn, and every day sees the proclamation of another major round.
And it is true that many of our startups have been celebrating closing funding rounds during the past few weeks (and more will be doing so very soon…).
Of course, we could not be prouder of the achievements of all our incubated startups last year, as we are amazed by the success of our school alumni.
However, one of the key tenets of Incubateur HEC Paris is the assumption that all companies are different and that one-size-fits-all solutions are a pipe dream.
This is why we believe in each founder finding its entrepreneurship path, and discovering the resources that are the best fit for them.
And so some founders that we meet should not build startups, but rather lasting SMEs.
And so some teams will grow in a slow organic process, while some will cross brutal thresholds.
And so some companies should raise equity funding, and some absolutely should not…
The good news is that changes to those paths appear through the birth of enablers.
And today, French players are emerging that can provide alternative ways to finance startups growth, such as Silvr or Karmen.
This is still the beginning.
Financing model should be - and will be - as diversified as business models.
But as we are still learning our job as we go along, so does everyone else.
So we have good reason to be hopeful.
Though before you leave, I will then let you ponder the irony of Silvr celebrating their latest equity funding round…
A last look to the past ⌛
Our last big event! ⏪
Yes, we know that everyone is swearing that they will be the one to teach you how to pitch…
But if you have never seen Jeremy Navon show you the way, maybe you should!
What did you miss? 📰
As you might have seen, there is much to celebrate!
Flitter just raised 2.5M€ to tackle the French car insurance market 🚗
Deskare just raised 1.2M€ to help facilitate hybrid work ⌨️
Beev just raised 1.5M€ to accelerate the transition to electric cars 🔋
Hors Normes have settled in Lyon, watch how they save ugly produce 🥕
Watch AlloReview discuss with the father of Siri on BSmart 🗣️
Do balloon make you dream of space? Listen to Zephalto on France Culture 🎈
Do you want more clean & fresh cosmetics, have a gander at Kreme on TV5 Monde 🧴
Looking toward our future 🔮
Only a few days left to apply! 🚀
Spring will be there soon! And our next batch of incubees will be joining us then!
Do you want to be part of the next cohort?
Hurry up, there are only a couple of days left to register to apply! (the first step takes only 5 minutes, we promise)
Find your dream job at HEC Paris! 💼
Do you believe that the future lies in deeptech startups?
The Creative Destruction Lab program at HEC Paris is growing and getting ready for next year already!
If building a global cohort of science-based startups focusing on climate issues sounds like a dream job, apply to become our next Venture Manager!
In case you have missed it, Incubateur HEC Paris partnered with Hectar to build their Agtech/Foodtech accelerator.
And so we need someone to help carry out the program, and build a new community of ventures and experts around the topic.
If contributing to transforming the food industry is your mission, apply to become our new Program Manager!
Providing an amazing experience to all members of our community is one key aspect of our program.
And for that, we need people lovers that thrive in building communities and making all feel at home.
If that sounds like you, come and apply for our Relationship Officer position!
What about your future? 🎯
Find your dream job among our startups! 💼
Do you believe that corporate CSR is the hot topic?
Lakaa is hiring for several positions.
Are you looking for a startup that supports startups?
Seedlegals is hiring a bunch of people.
Should patient information be more useful to the whole medical experience?
Galeon is looking for 2 new hires.
Can we phase out oil for heating?
Celsius Energy is hiring for many positions.
Fill your calendar 🗓️
Entrepreneurship is not a long quiet river, really not.
And so, before taking care of cashflows and HR, the number one resource that you have to manage is your mental state.
If you want to get a bit better at managing ups and low, don’t miss our next webinar!
Many startups dream of crossing the pond, and making it big in the US…
Is it always a good idea? Maybe not, but one thing is sure: preparation is key!
If the idea ever crossed your mind, don’t miss our upcoming webinar!
Speed is always of the essence when you are raising funds.
If BSA AIR look like a perfect solution, you should still take the time to learn a bit more from SeedLegals. Don’t miss their masterclass on the 22th!
Before you leave us, here is your reading list for the weekend 📚
Is it the right time to create your company? Your team is set, your MVP and business model validated, time to register your trademark, patent and else?
Finally, time to fundraise? Woog and Associés is pointing out the next steps for creating your company
“That which you most need will be found where you least want to look.”