Gain insights on the French startup scene from Qlode's at Go Entrepreneurs Paris 2024. Discover support mechanisms, funding stats, and more.
Paris, France - April 2024: Our PR manager Nataly attended Go Entrepreneurs Paris 2024, held on April 3rd and 4th at the prestigious Paris La Défense Arena in the heart of Europe's leading business district housing 2,500 companies across 71 towers. With a focus on fostering innovation, collaboration, and growth, this event proved to be an invaluable platform for startups.
Notable attendees included several ministers, such as Bruno Le Maire, Minister of Economy and Finance, and Olivia Grégoire, Minister for Small and Medium Enterprises, Trade, Crafts, and Tourism. Among the issues they have highlighted are:
● Mergers and acquisitions
● Payment delays causing monetary losses exceeding 15 billion euros
● Tax increase under worsening social conditions in France
Our aim at the event
Go Entrepreneurs Paris 2024 presented a unique opportunity for Qlode to connect with a diverse array of entrepreneurs, industry experts, and investors. With over 47,000 attendees, including a mix of young enthusiasts and seasoned professionals, the event provided an ideal environment for networking, knowledge exchange, and partnership building.
Qlode's PR Manager, Nataly, successfully connected with companies and entrepreneurs who extend a helping hand to startups, acquiring valuable insights that will undoubtedly contribute to our startup's growth. Here are some noteworthy mentions:
● Force Femme: A respected association dedicated to supporting unemployed women over the age of 45 in their efforts to re-enter the workforce or establish their own businesses.
● Les Premières: This organization aids entrepreneurs and mixed teams in developing and nurturing their innovative and effective business projects.
● Tookano: With a stand showcasing AI, they focus on post generation for social networks, offering innovative solutions to enhance online presence.
● Legalstart: Noteworthy for their expertise in legal matters, Legalstart offered services such as business plan drafting, expense evaluation, and expert communication, all vital for startups.
● Lea Coffrant: An influencer who shared her journey from starting on YouTube many years ago to creating the brand Take Kare, serving as an inspiring example of entrepreneurial success.
● Breakdancer Khalil Chabouni: He participated as a speaker in a networking space promoting breakdancing as a part of the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris.
● Dockey AI SEO: Company providing an all-encompassing solution for startups based on Artificial Intelligence. It includes a set of tools within one SaaS: content ideas generation, editorial calendar, performance monitoring, GSC syncronization.
Benefits for Startups at Go Entrepreneurs
Go Entrepreneurs Paris 2024 offered a wealth of resources and support for startups. From insightful presentations to practical workshops, attendees gained valuable insights into various aspects of business development, including financing, marketing, and strategic planning. Moreover, the event provided a platform for startups to showcase their ideas, connect with potential investors, and explore collaboration opportunities with established companies.
It's also important to note that businesses now recognize the significance of engaging attendees with interactive activities to stand out and attract attention at events. For example, Dell offered two dedicated spaces. One notable feature was a ball pit where entrepreneurs could interact.
“At the same time, it is always a good idea to add a pinch of humor and interactive activities to engage your public. We are a little bit kids :) “ - shared Nataly The event featured a variety of engaging activities, including:
● Climbing wall and Ferris wheel
● Startup pitching sessions
● Workshops on leveraging platforms like TikTok for business growth
● Informative sessions on AI content creation and its impact on SEO optimization
Next Steps to Take for Qlode Growth
As a result of our participation in Go Entrepreneurs Paris 2024, Qlode is poised to take strategic steps towards furthering our growth and development. With newfound insights and connections, we are committed to leveraging this experience to drive innovation, expand our network, and propel our business forward.
We’ve presented our startup to business leaders and investors, increasing visibility and capturing their attention. Our ongoing efforts include actively seeking funding opportunities, participating in pitching sessions, and forming partnerships with companies offering startup support, including subscription-based legal and accounting services.
“It’s very interesting. Every step is presented to help entrepreneurs, even those who have zero ideas about what they want to do. Some companies are assisting them, which is a great experience. Unfortunately, everything is in French. I think that's a very specific aspect of the French startup world. I mean, just to let you know, in 2021 French startups raised 89 billion dollars. Sometimes we don’t realize how significant the startup scene is here.”
Nataly's observations shed light on the practical support mechanisms available to entrepreneurs in navigating the complexities of the French startup ecosystem. Despite language barriers, the event showcased the robustness of French startups, evidenced by the substantial funding raised in recent years.
Throughout the event comparisons between athletes and entrepreneurs were drawn, highlighting the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Furthermore, discussions centered on the support structures provided by government entities like BPI France for fostering entrepreneurship. Additionally, innovative features such as idea vending machines and initiatives catering to older entrepreneurs seeking a second wind were explored.