Network in California Village: Illustration of a Rapidly Advancing Innovation Hub
Refresh Reading:
Village by CA on France's map is a go-to hub for startups and young firms, acting as a booster with an open-innovation spirit. This badass network spans across 44 locations domestically and abroad, packing a punch in both national and international influence. It'll be in your corner at our events, where some heavy hitters in immersive tech will be showcasing their goods. Let's dive into the deets with Timothée Broucke, the boss of the Laval village in Mayenne.
Getting Down to Business with Village by CA: What's the Scoop?
A village is just a local branch of this-here Village by CA network, which got cooking in 2014 thanks to the National Federation of Crédit Agricole. The goal? Being hyper-focused on fostering innovations within the local biz community. Over 1,350 startups in the 44 French villages are reaping the benefits.
These peeps aren't just brainstorming ideas in a garage. They've already snagged customers and sold epic products. Village by CA isn't a kickstarter (more like a kick-ass-ter!). It's all about having a product that's ready to dominate the market, not dropping an idea in the hopes of somehow making it work.
Over 800 partners get down with the network, consisting of experts and big corporations all with a vision for transformation. It's a boost zone for companies, not just startups. There are collaborations happening at Laval between 12 startups and 8 partners.
Showing Some Serious Territorial Love: Is it the Real Deal?
The framework of a village is about getting together, uniting people, and finding the sweet spot where value is born. No sweat, a guy from Lyon can network with a startup from Laval or vice versa. People in Laval go toe-to-toe with the Parisin crew, and startups in the network come to Laval to link up with Luminess, a homegrown legend. Simply put, the village is all about hooking up clients and experts or investors for fundraising opportunities.
Gaining Village Access: How's it All Going Down?
Startups are welcome to the scene for two years, with an option to renew for another year. To make the cut, you gotta be a young firm (2-5 years) with clients and a proven nose for business. A selection committee decides your fate, consisting of partners like Crédit Agricole Anjou Maine, Laval Mayenne Technopole, Laval Economy, and local firms. Startups get 7 minutes to make a pitch and 7 more for question time.
Laval: The Quest-Stop for Immersive Realities?
Laval's got mad love for virtual reality! Among the startups in the village, you'll find Massive Immersive, Komodal, Olfy, Inod, Bliss, Agogy, and Imagin VR. These cats are netting big bucks with their moves. Shoutout to Inod, which nailed it with their virtual fair project for Crédit Agricole during the pandemic. Never ones to rest on their laurels, they're crafty and adapt to the zeitgeist with all kinds of requests as needed.
The Importance of Partnering and Exhibiting at Events: Is It a Thing?
Exhibiting in Laval's space, where innovation flourishes, is a must. It's lit—no cap—being the biggest innovation event in the territory. Plus, who doesn't dig all the demos at our events? The entrepreneurial energy is strong, and the business side is fantastic. All these startups I've got on my plate are going with hopes of scoring leads. I want to connect them, to be a bridge between them and the world. I help my 12 startups by relying on the local and national ecosystem to help them expand.
Becoming the Mayor of a Village: Who Can Do It? What's the Day-in-and-Day-out Like?
Ain't nobody born a village mayor, and it's definitely not a divine calling. My background was in financial analysis in the innovation world. When the opportunity for village mayor came up, I hopped on it. Both roles revolve around a sense of service and a love for people. It ain't all sunshine and rainbows, fam. As their troubles become mine and their misses turn into my misses, it's a challenge to be the best cheerleader for success.
My favorite part of the universe of innovation is juggling with uncertainty. New companies, with little or zero experience, targeting immature or changing markets with wild resources. It's always a thrill because no two situations are the same and every startup requires game-time decision-making. I serve as a bridge between worlds: innovation and entrepreneurship.
- The Village by CA network, which originated in 2014, is not just focused on nurturing ideas but also supporting startups that have already secured customers and developed market-ready products, making it more like a kick-ass accelerator than a kickstarter.
- In the Laval village, various startup companies specializing in immersive technology, such as Massive Immersive, Komodal, Olfy, Inod, Bliss, Agogy, and Imagin VR, are thriving, showcasing the potential of village by CA as a hub for innovation and technology business.
