ESSEC Start-Ups to Invest In in 2021, According to Challenges

Discover the ESSEC start-ups

The French magazine Challenges has just published its top 100 start-ups to invest in in 2021. We found few ESSEC gems in the list: Beebs by Morgan Hilmi (E12), Kompara by Vinciane N’Cho (M19), Stooly by Delphine Lau (G16)…

Beebs, co-founded by Morgan Hilmi (E12), is positioned on the second-hand market for baby products. “Having a child is the event that has the biggest impact on household budgets... and on their carbon footprint! Our mobile app, free and with no ads, lets new parents and parents-to-be buy and sell baby products at the best possible price, via a secure, sustainable platform. It also gives you access to a community that already boasts more than 100,000 users, who you can ask questions and help out with your own tips, all in a trusting environment.”  

Greenly, co-founded by Arnaud Delubac (M19), aims to become the leading automated carbon footprint tracker for households and businesses. The start-up adopts a three-pronged approach. Number 1: an app that’s linked to your bank account that lets you see the carbon footprint for each of your purchases, offset your emissions by funding green projects, and earn cash-back for sustainable purchases. Number 2: a carbon footprint calculator built in to banking services, via a licensing system. Number 3: a carbon footprint solution for businesses. 

Kompara, co-founded by Vinciane N’Cho (M19), is developing a price comparison tool for international money transfers. “This market is a real jungle, including new players with attractive – but often opaque – pricing”. To help consumers know what’s what, Kompara analyses prices and customer reviews for a selection of over 20 currencies. Its target market? The world’s big diasporas. 

Lyanne, a platform co-founded by Jeanne Depond (E12), lets you analyse all of your insurance policies (home & contents, car, payment protection, debit cards, etc.) and identify any gaps or overlaps in your cover. “We’ve analysed the contracts from more than 100 insurers, meaning some 60,000 pages of T&C that we have reproduced in a simple, readable format.” The aim is to offer you an optimised range of insurance products that’s in line with your real needs. 

Stooly, a brand co-founded by Delphine Lau (G16), designs eco-responsible occasional furniture that finds the happy medium between design, practicality, and environmental credentials. Stooly’s flagship product? A stool made from foldable cardboard, “that can support 300 kg when open, and is only 3 cm thick when folded away”. Bonus: it’s affordable, too!

En Cavale, a publisher whose partners include Adèle Soullier (E10), designs and sells mystery games for kids. “Every month, kids receive the next instalment in an adventure where they play the hero. They solve puzzles, complete creative challenges, and then post off their discoveries to move closer to solving the mystery. It is a concept that encourages imagination and a sense of adventure in kids aged 7-12, without needing a screen.” The icing on the cake? The games are 100% made in Lyon, with strong social and environmental values.

Being included in Challenges magazine’s list of the top 100 start-ups to invest in is generally a good sign for the entrepreneurs involved. Proof of which can be found in the ESSEC graduates featured in earlier rankings, whose number includes Jean Moreau (E07), founder of Phénix, a pioneer in the circular economy; Alexia Cordier (M93), co-founder of Fifty, leader in e-doing; Jean-Baptiste Diebold (E03), founder of Ginkio, the community for media industry talent; Dorian Perron (E17) and Romain Palmieri (E17), co-founders of Groover, a platform that brings 3000 musicians into contact with 300 media brands, labels and influencers; François Jacob (M10), co-founder of Hiboo, the construction equipment data management solution used by Vinci, Engie, and Eiffage; and Mathilde Le Roy (E99), founder of Kazoart, an online art sales platform with 15,000 pieces from 500 artists. 

Have you spotted any other ESSEC alumni in Challenges’ top 100 start-ups to invest in in 2021? Let us know!

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