Opportunity to fine-tune its strategy, to better understand the market, find potential partners or to give up… The journey of exploration that is the French Tech Tour China wowed the entrepreneurs who participated. Testimonials.
the Concert of praise among the leaders return from China, that we interviewed on the French Tech Tour in which they participated. This journey of exploration of fifteen days organized between 17 and 28 October by Bpifrance Business France, was not open to who wanted it. A drastic selection process by a jury of fifty experts has resulted in a roster of 11 companies. Among them, some of the winners of the program Huawei Digital IN-Pulse*. But any start-up sector of the internet, fintech, software, telecommunications and the audiovisual industry was invited to apply before July 31, 2016, on the site of Bpifrance.
“We had to let ourselves be guided”
Before take-off for Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Shanghai and Beijing, the contractors were invited to a bootcamp at the hub of Bpifrance. Day dense which have been addressed in turn the face of the eco-system of digital China, the stakes of industrial property, the cultural aspects, the best legal strategies to achieve its implementation, etc
the preparation of The individual journey of each business on the premises has not been left to chance either. “Business France has developed a large part of our planning over the place, tells Axel Barbaud, including the company, FBS Systems offers a solution that improves the safety of the divers in avoiding decompression sickness. We had several working sessions, during which they brought in several industry experts to the sea, to better understand our positioning and our needs. We have then made proposals for contacts, organized the on-site appointment, provided an interpreter when that was needed. We had to let ourselves be guided and to focus on the commercial aspect”.
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The officer of BF systems, the technology for which is intended, even before the divers recreational, industry byproducts, to tunnel, and to the Defence sector, had, him, already reported previously in China. He had signed a “Memorendum of understanding” (a kind of memorandum of understanding) with an actor parapétrolier. He was able, on the occasion of this new residence, to move forward in this relationship, and to meet other actors of the first plan. In particular the main references of hyperbaric medicine that may become prescribers of the solution. Two industry players have also called for business proposals. And he was able to establish contacts with the heads of the clubs diving. “We are still in a phase of consolidation in the French market, but it is safe, the China, it will not take us not to,” says the officer on his return.
“This trip has been really useful,”
the Same holds true for Pauline Dreyer, who leads the boat of Logipren, a start-up after a research unit of the CHU of Angers, which has developed a software limitation for hospitalists in neonatology. “We need to consolidate our market share in France, but also think of the future,” she says. “In a sector as specific as ours, it was important to be aware of the reality on the ground: what it means to be a public hospital or private out there, the quality and weight of doctors, care practices, their articulation with the chinese medicine, the proportion of prescriptions relative to the number of doctors, etc, coming with the label of the embassy of France changed everything. It is easier to get an appointment quality. I was able to visit the services of neonatology, meet with nurses, pharmacists, representatives of the government of hong kong, several integrators and editors of medical solutions to the fact of the decision-making process…” back in the Hexagon, it remains only to continue the committed relationships out there via “calls”, are already programmed. “It’s a bit premature to say if this will all lead to something. But this trip has been really useful.”
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“We’re going to ask, do decant it all,” says him as Christophe Gombault, upon his return from the Middle Empire. At the head of SeniorAdom, which has developed a product of tele-assistance smart. “Go down there, we found that our product can be sold to the Chinese as it is, there is nothing to change. Our goal, now, it is to be well-established in three years. It is necessary to it to validate the right partner, the correct operating mode, and launch the market”. To achieve this objective, SeniorAdom may, in particular, build on the contacts established with companies specializing in the “home care”.
“let Us return to our ambition”
For Hichem Talem Bendiab, of the company Twipbox, the trip has been very profitable… to change strategic direction. “We started with two ambitions,” says the leader who offers a printing solution to cloud for mobile workers: find a financial partner to support our establishment out there and find business partners. In the end, we return to our ambition. The market and over-regulated for us. We will not be able to move easily through airports, train stations. We are considering essentially we install in spaces coworking in Hong Kong, and yet, not immediately. We will focus in a first phase on France, with the development of our solution in third-places, then in public places.”
“In two days, the case was bent”
Stéphane Saad, patron of Pradéo, an editor of the security solution for mobile applications, has, on the contrary, advance its business to the pace of a rocket, on the occasion of the journey. “I had already participated in the French Tech Tour of San Francisco. What killed me in China, it is the dynamism, the vitality with which they conduct business. The before last day, we met a potential partner who we had been recommended by Gartner (the consultancy and audit us, specialized in IT, editor’s NOTE). He asked us how long we remained in China. He said “one day”. The next day, he said he was in agreement to integrate our solution. It has been signed. In short, in two days, the case was bent!” Has he not been afraid that this goes as quickly, precisely? “We felt the discussion is healthy, contrary to what one was able to live at other events, where some of us have simply asked for access to the source code. As much deliver her recipe!”
*This program aims to accompany French start-ups that innovate in their development and internationalization, and to enhance their cooperation with the hub of innovation of Shenzhen.
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*This program aims to accompany French start-ups that innovate in their development and internationalization, and to enhance their cooperation with the hub of innovation of Shenzhen.