Paris and Lille – 9 June 2015– EnterNext, the Euronext subsidiary dedicated to promoting and growing the market for small and medium-sized companies (SMEs), today announced the success of its first Tech Conference in Lille, in Northern France. It was EnterNext’s third regional event, after Bordeaux and Nantes. Entrepreneurs, investors and experts took part, contributing their experiences and insights on financing tech sector[1] businesses.
Focus on financing innovative businesses in Northern France
Held on Tuesday, June 9, the event was organised jointly by EnterNext and Lille Place Tertiaire with the support of Pierre de Saintignon, Vice President of the Northern France region; Frédéric Motte, President of MEDEF Nord-Pas de Calais, the French employers’ federation regional team; and Philippe Hourdain, President of the Greater Lille Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It was an overwhelming success, with the spotlight on financing the region’s tech companies and contributing to their growth.
Dedicated to the entrepreneurs driving innovative companies, the event also gave consultants, investors and government authorities a chance to meet up and promote Greater Lille as a technology hub. Themes addressed included tools and initiatives deployed to finance companies—from start-ups to mid-size enterprises—and the role of regional eco-systems in promoting company growth. Heads of iconic regional businesses and experts joined in to share their vision of the sector’s potential, needs and special features.
Tech sector a prime driver of economic growth in Northern France
In 2014, SMEs from Northern France listed on markets covered by EnterNext raised €81.5 million on stock markets—the highest figure in six years. Most were in sectors of excellence driving the local economy, with a particular focus on life sciences. Genfit’s transfer from Alternext to Euronext in March 2014 and its inclusion in the SBF 120 index are a perfect illustration of how capital markets can encourage the emergence of regional SMEs.
Eric Forest, CEO of EnterNext, said:“We are pleased to report another very successful regional tech conference. It is important to keep up our efforts in this growing sector. Northern France is home to many innovative companies, and at EnterNext we are on hand to help them access the financing they need to pursue their projects and make best use of capital markets.”
Guillaume Morelli, EnterNext’s representative for Northern France, added: “Since the launch of EnterNext in 2013, technology companies have enjoyed ever greater access to financing on financial markets. And an increasing number of SMEs in Northern France are taking advantage of this option.”
We would like to thank our sponsors:
- BNP Paribas-Portzamparc
- Deloitte-InExtenso
- CM-CIC Investissement
- NewCap
Lille Tech Conference speakers, 17.00 to 19.30
Olivier Asselin – President, Lille Place Financière
Hervé Borgoltz – CEO, DBT-CEV
Thibault Carlier – CTO and co-founder, Critizr
Raouti Chehih – CEO, EuraTechnologies
Pierre de Saintignon – Vice-President, Nord-Pas de Calais Region (Northern France)
Joseph Felfeli – Chairman & CEO, Acteos
Bertrand Fontaine – Regional Manager, Bpifrance Nord-Pas de Calais
Eric Forest – CEO, EnterNext
Christophe Guillaume - Business angel
Philippe Hourdain – President, Greater Lille Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCI)
Emmanuel Huynh – CEO, Newcap
Luc Keppens – Head of Northern France network, BNP PARIBAS
Henryk Klaba – Chairman and founder, OVH
Edouard Lhomme – Partner, Deloitte
Frédéric Motte – President, MEDEF Nord-Pas de Calais (regional rep, French employers’ association)
Jean-Pierre Nacry - President, Lille Place Tertiaire
Damien Rahier - CEO, Portzamparc
Philippe Traisnel – Director CM-CIC Investissement Lille and President, Ambition Capital
Etienne Vervaecke – CEO, Eurasanté
Philippe Verwaerde – CEO, Alzoprotect
Mongi Zidi – President, Pôle Régional Numérique; President, Groupe Archimed; President, Lille is French Tech