The Top Pre-Seed Angel Investors in France: Who to Watch for

If you're an aspiring entrepreneur in France, looking to launch your own startup, you might know how challenging it can be to secure funding. Luckily, pre-seed angel investors can be a great way to get your business off the ground. But who are the top players in France, and how can you pitch to them effectively? Get the full list here.

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In this blog post, we'll be highlighting the profiles of some well-known pre-seed angel investors in France and providing you with 5 steps on how to reach out to them.

Angel investor profiles

Céline Lazorthes

Celine Lazorthes, a force to be reckoned with in the startup world, is a pre-seed angel investor with a passion for nurturing groundbreaking ideas. With a sharp eye for innovation and a heart for supporting early-stage ventures, Lazorthes has made her mark as an influential figure in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Founder of the highly successful fintech startup Leetchi and the payment platform Mangopay, Lazorthes has a proven track record of transforming visions into thriving realities.

Chantal Baudron

Chantal Baudron, a visionary pre-seed angel investor, has become a prominent figure in the startup ecosystem with her remarkable ability to identify promising opportunities. With a deep passion for supporting early-stage ventures, Chantal brings a wealth of experience and a sharp business acumen to her investments. Known for her strategic insights and hands-on approach, she actively engages with founders, providing invaluable guidance and mentorship. Chantal's diverse background in entrepreneurship and finance gives her a unique perspective in evaluating potential game-changers.

Thibaud Elzière

Thibaud Elzière, an exceptional pre-seed angel investor, is a visionary force behind numerous successful ventures. Renowned for his astute business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit, Thibaud has made a significant impact on the startup landscape. As the founder of Fotolia and eFounders now Hexa), and a co-founder of folk, he has showcased his ability to transform ideas into thriving businesses. Now, as a pre-seed angel investor, Thibaud actively supports and invests in early-stage startups, leveraging his expertise and experience to guide them towards success. With an unwavering commitment to innovation and a talent for recognizing untapped potential, Thibaud Elzière is a driving force behind the growth and prosperity of promising startups.

Christophe Courtin

Christophe Courtin, a dynamic pre-seed angel investor, is a catalyst for the success of early-stage startups. With an impressive background in entrepreneurship and a keen eye for innovation, Christophe has established himself as a driving force in the startup ecosystem. Through his strategic investments, he empowers founders to turn their ideas into reality, providing not only financial support but also invaluable mentorship and guidance. With a passion for disruptive technologies and a knack for identifying market trends, Christophe Courtin plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of groundbreaking startups.

Marie Ekeland

Marie Ekeland, an influential pre-seed angel investor, has left an indelible mark on the startup world with her exceptional insights and commitment to innovation. Recognized as a leading figure in the venture capital industry, Marie brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her investments. As the co-founder of Daphni and former Chairwoman of France Digitale, she has demonstrated her passion for supporting early-stage startups and advocating for their needs. With her strategic vision and unwavering dedication, Marie actively empowers founders, providing not only financial backing but also invaluable mentorship and guidance

How to pitch pre-seed angel investors

Now that you know who to reach out to, how can you do it effectively? Here are 5 steps for pitching to pre-seed angel investors in France:

Use a CRM platform

To keep track of your investor contacts and conversations, use a customer relationship management (CRM) platform like folk. This will help you manage your contacts, keep track of your email conversations, and schedule follow-up calls and meetings. In folk you can import contacts instantly from LinkedIn with the Chrome extension, or sync to your Google or Outlook contacts.

Research investors carefully

Before pitching your business to an investor, make sure you've done your research carefully. Look for investors who have a history of investing in similar businesses to yours and who are active in the industry. You can store all your notes on each investor in folk, to refer to any time.

Prepare a concise pitch

Your pitch should be no longer than 15-20 minutes and should focus on the key aspects of your business. It should be clear and easy to understand, describing the problem you're solving, your unique value proposition, and your go-to-market strategy. Using AI-powered fields in folk, which combine your contact data with AI, you can get help generating pitches targeted to each investor.

Follow up regularly

Once you've made initial contact with an investor, keep them updated on your progress. Be sure to follow up regularly, but don't be too pushy. Remember that investors are busy people, so respect their time and attention. Set yourself reminders on folk to follow-up at just the right time.

Build a network

Building your network is an important part of finding the right pre-seed angel investors in France. Attend networking events, conferences, and startup competitions to meet potential investors and form valuable relationships. Using folk, including the mobile version, can help you keep track of every useful new contact you make.

Conclusion

Securing funding for your startup can be a daunting task, but with the right strategy and a little bit of luck, pre-seed angel investors can help you get your business off the ground. By researching carefully, preparing a concise pitch, and building valuable relationships, you can increase your chances of finding the right investor for your company. Don't give up, keep trying, and good luck!

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