Franck Gomez
Head of the Innovation Banking Division
Franck Gomez, tell us about the CIC Lyonnaise de Banque Innovation Banking Division! :
FG : "The Innovation Banking Division was an initiative of our CEO, Isabelle Bourgade, and was designed as a full-service banking unit to meet the needs of startups and other innovative companies. It was launched in 2015 with strategic advice, funding, and our annual innovation competition.
We also assigned Innovation Banking Associates to all of our branches in Southeastern France. The Associates support both startups with disruptive business models and business leaders seeking ways to bring more innovation into their organizations. One of our Innovation Banking Division’s priorities is to maintain strong ties to the innovation ecosystem and build relationships with innovation stakeholders. We feel this is the best way to actively support entrepreneurs in reaching their goals.
We also have Innovation Banking branches in Lyon and Marseille under the banner “CIC Place de l’innovation”. These offices are not designed to serve as business incubators or accelerators. They really are dedicated to funding. Entrepreneurs can meet with experts, whether they are from CIC or the broader innovation ecosystem, to discuss their funding needs.
Every year we hold an innovation competition that supports 20 innovation projects from Southeastern France. This year’s competition will be held on November 12–14 in Lyon (www.innoverdansunmondequibouge.com)."
What made you decide to join Minalogic?
FG : "CIC Lyonnaise de Banque has been working with Minalogic members on funding for years now.
It was only natural that our Innovation Banking Division join the cluster to deepen our existing relationship. We have dedicated resources in Minalogic’s home town, Grenoble (Jeanine Perez and Sophie Seror), and in Lyon (Emmanuel Foucault and Thomas Legrand).
Joining Minalogic is also a way for our Innovation Banking Division to better match our services to the needs of companies in the digital and other high-tech industries. Our innovation financing experts and those at Minalogic will give the cluster’s members access to the solutions best suited to where they are in their development without using their capital."
What services have you used since joining Minalogic?
FG : "The market-specific events and the Minalogic Business Meetings have given the Innovation Banking Division valuable opportunities to learn, to meet the people shaping tomorrow’s technological revolutions, and to better understand their projects and financing needs.
These events are also quality opportunities for us to raise our profile and get the word out to Minalogic members about our innovation support strategy."
What kinds of partnerships are you looking for as a Minalogic member? Business? Innovation?
FG : "Minalogic’s CEO Isabelle Guillaume will sit on the jury of our third annual innovation competition. The 20 shortlisted candidates will pitch their projects at a VIP gathering on November 13, 2018. A total of €15,000 in prize money will be given to the three winners. In the run-up to the competition, the candidates will take part in a two-day acceleration program with financing and other innovation experts from the ecosystem.
We are also taking advantage of Minalogic’s strong capacity to bring a crowd in to co-organize events at CIC for Minalogic members. Here I am referring to our Club CIC International “Asia Days” and other events with an international focus. And, in January, the Innovation Banking Division will travel to CES Las Vegas 2019 with four members.
And we are only getting started! We recently renewed our partnership for another three years, so I am sure that there will be plenty of new projects to come."
