External newsletter October 2023 - N° 151

EDITO

The Business Angels of the Grandes Écoles open their doors.

Dear Business Angels friends, dear readers,

Business angels are still relatively unknown among the community of executives and managers eager to support innovation and entrepreneurial initiative, in short, to prepare for the economy of tomorrow.

Dear readers, as you read these lines, your reaction will undoubtedly be to say that you are familiar with the activities of Business Angels, since by definition this newsletter is distributed to all those who have at some time interacted with the world of innovation and its seed financing.

What about the people around you? Perhaps they know about our business, or have heard of it. To raise awareness of this wonderful activity, Les Business Angels des Grandes Écoles are taking the initiative of opening their doors on Tuesday November 28, as part of Business Angels Week.

Business Angels play a central role in financing innovation

France Angels, the French federation of business angel networks, brings together over sixty generalist, regional or thematic seed financing networks, and each year promotes initiatives to raise awareness and recruit and train business angels.

With this in mind, the Business Angels of the Grandes Écoles invite you to take part in their next monthly meeting to present innovative projects on Tuesday November 28, starting at 5.30pm at the EDHEC Campus, rue du quatre septembre in Paris (see links below to register).

That's why I invite you to talk about it with your friends and colleagues. It's likely that many of you are already involved in financing through professional intermediaries offering alternative financing methods. We know them well - they're our partners - and they usually step in later when the startup supported by our BAs has proven its offer and business model, and needs to accelerate.

These financing methods, which are distributed by professional entities, complement our own. Business Angels take their risk at the outset, and failures are still frequent at this stage. However, the multiplier is higher when we have detected a start-up that is successful in the sector in which it operates!

The beauty of our business lies in the choice of companies we finance. The Business Angels' contribution goes beyond the capital invested, and is also measured in time spent analyzing and supporting the company. This is what sets us apart from most other seed capital players, and makes our business so attractive.

So don't hesitate to share this information with your friends and family, and spread the word about Business Angels des Grandes Écoles through an immersive experience at one of our monthly meetings. Your guest may not decide to become a Business Angel straight away, but I'm sure he or she will have had a great time in our company and that of the start-ups presenting their projects this evening.

Best regards,

Paul Leondaridis,

Chairman of Business Angels des Grandes Écoles.

INTERVIEW

Laurent Amar, Manager
"France Verif

1) Your startup has just completed a round of financing. Could you describe the "France Verif" project for us?

At France Verif, our vision is to transform the online shopping experience to make it safer, more economical and aligned with each user's individual values. Imagine saving an average of 33.7% on your purchases while knowing you're buying quality, ethical products. Our browser extension doesn't just compare prices, it also assesses the reliability of sites, the origin and quality of products. We've created an advanced AI that acts as a truly intelligent shopping assistant.

2) How did you come up with the idea of creating this intelligent shopping assistant?

Our inspiration came from observing the challenges consumers face when shopping online. On the one hand, there's the distrust of unfamiliar websites, and on the other, the relentless search for the best deal. And let's not forget the environmental issues that are of growing concern to people. France Verif was born of the desire to solve these problems in an integrated way.

3) How doesthe France Verif solution work in practice?

France Verif's 120 AI robots constantly monitor and evaluate thousands of e-commerce sites. Information is updated in real time. In just a few seconds, users can see the information they need to buy with confidence. The effectiveness of the display of reliable sites is 99.79%! Consumers are offered reliable prices and instant access to verified discounts that can be applied directly to their purchases.

4) Why did you turn to Business Angels?

The expertise and network that Business Angels can provide are invaluable to us. Above and beyond the financial aspect, it's this human accompaniment that is essential to optimize our growth. We're delighted to have the Business Angels of the Grandes Écoles (BADGE) as a partner, as they share our vision of bringing real added value to people's lives.

5) What are your ambitions for the next five years?

Over the next five years, we aim to become the global standard for online shopping assistance. Not only in Europe, but also in other parts of the world. We also intend to integrate new functionalities, such as product sustainability analysis, to reinforce the positive impact we can have on the world.

6) You already have a sophisticated AI system. What types of services or functionalities do you plan to develop in the future?

We're constantly innovating. We're planning to integrate a personalized recommendations feature based on the user's shopping habits, preferences and values. The aim is to anticipate the needs of each individual to make their experience even more fluid and satisfying.

Conclusion: France Verif is not just a simple extension, it's a real revolution in the way people shop online. It's an opportunity to become the world's best buyer, simply and in line with your values. You can count on our genuine desire to help you save money while making responsible choices. Join us in this exciting adventure.

UPCOMING EVENTS

>>> PROJECT PRESENTATIONS

Monthly meetings with presentations of innovative fund-raising projects led by Philippe Pernot, Vice-Chairman in charge of project appraisal.

Members only.
Non-members, ask for your invitation.

News from our funded startups

Start-up SeaBeLife raises €1.2 million to continue growth

the clinical development of its research

Seabelife, a biotech company specializing in the development of drug candidates designed to block cell necrosis, announces that it has raised €1.2 million from the iXLife fund and its historical investors (BADGE, Breizh Angels, Angels Santé and WeLike). Professor Jean-Pierre Kinet, Chairman of iXLife, joins the Breton start-up's strategic committee. The funds raised will enable the company to finance the regulatory development of its drug candidates, and to expand its team with the hiring of several high-level specialists to prepare for clinical trials.

Kinvent start-up wins "Master Croissance" award

during La Lettre M's Masters Montpellier.

Athanase Kollias, CEO of start-up Kinvent, received the "Master Croissance" award at La Lettre M's 27th Cérémonie des Masters Montpellier 2023. The event celebrated high-performance companies from eastern France's Occitanie region, awarding eleven prizes based on criteria such as innovation, committed enterprise, talent management, ecological transition... The ceremony was chaired by Bruno Arcadipane, Chairman of Action Logement and Vice-Chairman of the MEDEF.

Our startups are recruiting

Great projects to invest in within our network

DeepColor designs and markets high-definition photoacoustic imaging equipment. This new medical imaging modality, which combines the advantages of optics with those of ultrasound, enables 3D visualization of vascular function without contrast agents, in depth and with unrivalled resolution.

Cyclair develops technological products that enable a spectacular reduction in the volume of chemical inputs, while continuing to protect crops and ensure current yields, or even improve them. The company uses precision robotics, information technology and artificial intelligence to ensure the economic and ecological transition of agriculture in France and worldwide.

Drone Geofencing has developed a solution for supervising a fleet of drones carrying out independent missions or in swarms from a control center. The solution comprises mission preparation software and a communication module (ground station and on-board system) for short-loop UAV control.

Cellaven frees scientists from the drudgery of in vitro culture by making cell production automation accessible: "Less cell work, more cell Science". In vitro cell culture is an indispensable tool in Life Science, which has led to major advances such as vaccines, anticancer drugs and biotherapies. Cellaven has developed the NESTOR automat: an easy-to-use, affordable and compact device for automating cell culture production, employing patented culture fluid flow distribution technology.

Inergeen designs, builds and markets eco-responsible living spaces. Inergeen has developed Woodea™, an innovative 2D construction concept: 100% bio-sourced materials, self-generation of photovoltaic energy and pre-integrated IoT for à la carte user services. Growing rapidly, Inergeen is developing exciting projects with local authorities, developers and landlords including eco-districts and multi-generational villages with services, Inergeen is labeled a Startup with Environmental, Economic and Social Impact by Bpifrance and France Digitale.

Seekyo is developing a therapeutic solution that combines the best of current therapies and overcomes their limitations. Seekyo's drug candidate, SKY01, uses the tumor itself to hyperselectively deliver and activate the treatment exclusively within the tumor microenvironment, thanks in particular to a proprietary linker sensitive to tumor marker enzymes. This strategy increases treatment efficacy while considerably reducing side effects, by sparing healthy tissue. The company's aim is to provide highly precise and effective treatments for patients suffering from pancreatic, triple-negative breast and colorectal cancers in particular.

En Carta Diagnostics is a company that develops, produces and markets high-precision paper-based diagnostics. Based on the latest innovations in synthetic biology, 10 years of R&D and 6 patents (Arizona State and Harvard), the start-up's diagnostics technology platform fills the gap between rapid but inaccurate antigenic tests and high-performance but cumbersome molecular diagnostics. The company's first commercial product meets a strong need in a niche market in developed countries: early detection of Lyme disease.

HYMAG'IN isdisrupting the production of magnetic materials with its patented hydrothermal nano-ferrite synthesis technology. HYMAG'IN stands out for its ferrites, which are 100 times smaller, its sustainable industrial approach and its geographical proximity to high-value-added European markets. HYMAG'IN is targeting players in embedded electronics for electric vehicles, telecoms and defense, the first sectors to be impacted by miniaturization. HYMAG'IN aims to become the European leader in nano-ferrites, with sales of €30 million by 2030.

Winalist is a digital platform for selecting, highlighting and booking the best wine-related activities in Europe. Thanks to Winalist, travelers from all over the world can easily book a visit to the cellars of Champagne Veuve Clicquot, a tour of Châteaux Giscours in Bordeaux, a wine workshop in Italy, a tasting in Portugal's Douro Valley or a hot-air balloon flight over the vineyards of Château de Pommard in Burgundy.

Founded in Grenoble in 2022, the Steerlight deeptech is developing a unique LiDAR FMCW solution based on over 15 years of R&D at CEA-Leti, featuring performance, miniaturization, cost and robustness. In particular, its integration into silicon photonics and its manufacture using standard microelectronics processes will reduce costs through economies of scale. These competitive advantages are key to meeting the expectations of volume markets. Initially focused on applications in robotics and industry 4.0, the company is aiming to raise its first funds in 2023, in order to have a working demonstrator at its first customers' premises, before extending its ambitions to the mobility market, sectors with prospects of over 4 billion euros by 2027.

Hillo is an AI-based digital healthcare startup that is set to revolutionize the way diabetic patients are cared for. Its patented technology is based on an AI capable of predicting future variations in blood sugar levels. The project has received numerous awards and is supported by patient associations, health insurance companies and world-renowned doctors. Its main aim is to provide an intelligent, personalized solution to help patients better manage their pathology, thereby reducing their stress levels on a daily basis.

Would you like to find out more?

NETWORK AND PARTNERS

Call for entries - Tech For Future

In partnership with La Tribune, France Angels invites you to take part in the largest start-up competition in France, supported by the entire ecosystem including Mission French Tech, Business France, Bpifrance...

They are looking for the future champions of Tech in the following categories: Data & AI, Environment & Energy, Industry of the Future, Health, Smart Tech and Start.

You could become one of the 51 2024 winners, or even one of the 10 Grand Winners that La Tribune will reveal, on the mythical stage of the Grand Rex in Paris, on March 28, 2024.

• 100,000 € of advertising space to be won on the various La Tribune media,
• A mediation & a portrait by a La Tribune journalist,
• The Grand Rex spotlight in front of 1500 people on March 28.

For the 51 winners:

• Media coverage in La Tribune,
• Privileged contact with our partners, the tech ecosystem and the media,
• Promotion of your startup on La Tribune's social networks,
• Invitation to attend Tech for Future 2024 at the Grand Rex on March 28,
• One-year subscription to La Tribune,
• Invitation to La Tribune debates at their events,
• One-year membership offered by their partner France Digitale and 2 free tickets for France Digitale Day 2024
• Opportunity to take part in the program "Les Pionniers chez Fred Mazzella", on BFM Business, Tech for Future's exclusive media partner.

>>> EDITORIAL COMMITTEE
Paul Leondaridis, President / Yannis Sahraoui, Managing Director
Dimitri Lionel A.Omgba, Communications Manager [Send your subject to the editor]

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