Twice ✌️: He co-founded five companies, including Swan, his most ambitious yet – Nicolas Benady (EP2)

Listen to the episode here.

What we talked about:

  • How he envisioned Stripe and Qonto before their time: Nicolas foresaw concepts like Stripe and Qonto ahead of their time, and these ideas helped shape his entrepreneurial journey.
  • Meeting cofounder Nicolas Saison: The story of how Nicolas recruited his co-founder in 2008 as an apprentice, leading to their partnership at Swan.
  • Entrepreneurship is learned, not innate: Nicolas reflects on how entrepreneurship is a skill developed over time and the vital role of role models in fostering success.
  • The importance of choosing the right co-founders: Why selecting co-founders is critical, and the potential pitfalls of having too many.
  • The role of design, marketing, and content: How these often-overlooked elements can drive a startup’s success.
  • The ability to pivot or recognize when an idea won’t succeed: Understanding when it’s time to change direction and move away from unattainable goals.
  • The ambition to create European champions: Nicolas discusses the importance of building long-lasting companies that prioritize impact over exits.

Timestamps

1. [00:00:00] Intro

2. [00:03:57] Learning to become an entrepreneur: Why entrepreneurship isn’t innate and the importance of role models.

3. [00:09:32] Shaped by PriceMinister: How being one of the ‘small’ cofounders influenced Nicolas' future.

4. [00:21:03] Leaving Limonetik before exit: The journey of his first fintech and why he decided to move on.

5. [00:25:00] Ideas ahead of their time: How concepts like Stripe and Qonto influenced his vision.

6. [00:29:33] Navigating early struggles: Balancing financial pressures with personal responsibilities.

7. [00:32:40] Building Antelop: Creating a contactless payment solution in 2014.

8. [00:45:08] The rise of Swan: How he began shaping his most ambitious venture.

9. [00:47:59] Finding a co-founder in Nicolas Saison: Their meeting, growth, and eventual partnership.

10. [00:53:36] Marketing matters: Shifting focus from solely product/tech to realizing the importance of go-to-market strategies.

11. [00:58:36] What’s next: His entrepreneurial trajectory and the future of Swan.

Key products & people mentioned

  • Nicolas Saison: Co-founder of Swan who Nicolas met over 20 years ago.
  • Bulledezen: Nicolas’ first company, created in 2005, an ecommerce site for alarm clocks.
  • Limonitek: His second company, co-founded in 2007, a payment solution for ecommerce.
  • Antelop: His third company, focused on contactless payment solutions.
  • PriceMinister: Influential in Nicolas’ career; one of the first employees and a ‘small’ cofounder.
  • Visa: Where Nicolas worked between entrepreneurial ventures.
  • AXA: Managed web applications during his stint here, before returning to startups.

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