Olivier is a recognized telecom and technology expert, he wrote several books on networking technology, VoIP, M2M, Internet of Things(IoT) and the Smart Grid, and authored 6 international patents. In 1998, Olivier founded NetCentrex, a leading provider of VoIP infrastructure, then became CTO of Comverse group after its acquisition of NetCentrex. Olivier founded Actility in 2010. Olivier graduated from Ecole Polytechnique and Telecom Paris. He received the Blondel scientific medal from Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Information Technology and Communication association (SEE) in 2012, and was made a Knight of French Order “Legion of Honor” in 2018.
Matthieu is a partner at Eurazeo-Idinvest. Matthieu is an active venture capital investor with a focus on high growth potential startup developing new business models based on tech and particularly digital technologies such as IOT, AI, data analytics, platforms, SAAS, Artificial Intelligence, blockchain …
Edouard Combette is an Investment Manager at Bpifrance Investissement. Previously, he was Associate with Ecomobilité Ventures after serving as an analyst with the firm, which he joined in 2011. Prior to joining Ecomobilité Ventures, he worked in management consulting and start-ups in financial services. Edouard graduated from Ecole Nationale de Chimie de Paris in Renewable Energies, and HEC Business School Entrepreneurs Program.
Jean-Francois is the Founder and Managing Partner of Ginko Ventures, an Industrial Venture Capital Firm created in 2015 based in Geneva. With Passion & Trust Ginko creates Sustainable Partnership between industry Leaders and Entrepreneurs for disruptive Innovation and superior Value Creation. Additionally, he founded HMD Global Oy, “the Home of Nokia Phones” in 2016 in Helsinki. Jean-Francois was nominated Executive Chairman in June 2019. As Senior Vice President and CPO at Nokia Corporation, (1999 to 2012), Jean-Francois transformed Nokia Supply Chain into the most respected and agile asset within Nokia. He was recognized in 2007 by AMR Research as leading the best Supply Chain in the world. Prior to joining Nokia, Jean-Francois was Compaq Procurement Director (1994-1999) (Scotland and Texas) working under direct leadership of Tim Cook. At Hewlett-Packard (1984-1994), Jean-Francois was heading Supply Chain for HP PC Division. Other industrial experiences include oil exploration with Schlumberger in Africa and nuclear research at CEA France. Among other nominations, Jean-Francois was the Chairman of the Consumer Electronics Board for RosettaNet (2002- 2004), “Conseiller du Commerce Exterieur de la France” in Finland, Advisor to the CEO of ICANN in Los Angeles (2012-2014). Jean-Francois is also board member of Devialet (France) since 2016, Octonion (Switzerland) since 2015, Actility (France) since 2021, Operating Partner at Talomon Capital (London) since 2015. Jean-Francois received a MSc from ENSAM in 1980 and a MSc from Stanford University in 1981.
Tom Wheeler was the 31st Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, appointed by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in November 2013. Prior to working at the FCC, Wheeler worked as a venture capitalist and for many years in the cable and wireless industry, holding positions including President of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) and CEO of the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA). In recognition of his work in promoting the wireless industry, Wheeler was inducted into the Wireless Hall of Fame in 2003. In 2009, as a result of his work in promoting the growth and prosperity of the cable television industry and its stakeholders was inducted into the Cable Television Hall of Fame. He is the only member of both halls of fame. Cablevision magazine named Wheeler one of the 20 most influential individuals in its history during cable’s 20th anniversary in 1995.
Jon Koplin joined Cisco Investments in 2017 and leads the EMEA team responsible for investments, joint ventures, and acquisitions.
Previous to Cisco, Jon worked as an early-stage technology investor with European family offices. Before moving into the investment arena, Jon held senior operating roles at Google and Samsung in Europe and Asia. Early in his career, Jon worked in Silicon Valley and in startups and was part of the management team of NetBeans (acquired by Sun Microsystems).
Jon earned a BS in chemical engineering and an MA in classical languages from Stanford University and an MBA from INSEAD.
Yann is Head of Investments & Development at Orange Digital Ventures. He is in charge of strategic investments and acquisitions of Internet companies in the fields relevant to Orange. In his previous role at Orange, he was responsible for Internet & mobile partnerships with the major web players (Facebook, Twitter, Wikipedia, eBay.). Prior to joining Orange in 2008, Mr. Kandelman spent 8 years in the music industry working for EMI and Warner Music.
Based in Robert Bosch Venture Capital’s Stuttgart office, Gitte Bedford is responsible for evaluating investment opportunities and for all stages of the investment process. Her main area of focus has been software, specifically the Internet of Things, cloud and mobile computing, security and data analytics. Gitte is an experienced professional with a strong financial background.
After starting her career in the treasury department at Robert Bosch, she progressed to positions as Managing Director of Robert Bosch Finance Plc near London, UK, Director Finance for Bosch’s Asia-Pacific operations in Shanghai, China, and joined Bosch’s VC group in 2009.
Gitte holds a degree in Business Informatics from HTW Berlin and a Masters degree in Finance from Strathclyde University, Glasgow, U.K.
Nicolas Tymen is a Venture Investment Director at BNP Paribas Developpement. Nicolas joined BNP Paribas in 2005, and moved to the independent subsidiary venture investment company in May 2016.
Stefan Kuentz is Investment Director at Swisscom Ventures. Stefan joined Swisscom Ventures in 2011, and since then he has played a key role in building up an investment portfolio in cloud, virtualization and mobile/IoT technologies. Currently, he is a board director/observer at Actility, Bexio, Exoscale, Matrixx Software and VirtualAds and furthermore manages Arviem and PIQ. He also sits on the board of Swiss Startup Invest, Switzerland’s leading financing platform for hi-tech companies. Stefan joined Swisscom in 2002 and held several business development and senior management positions, including managing Swisscom’s innovation and scouting activities out of Silicon Valley from 2007 to 2010. Prior to Swisscom, Stefan spent many years with IBM, latterly heading IT strategy consulting.
Vikas Butaney is Vice President, General Manager for Internet of Things (IoT) Connectivity at Cisco and works closely with leading customers and integrators as they transform from being product to connected product businesses using IoT technologies. Vikas has global responsibility for strategy, partnerships, and product roadmaps for Cisco IoT, including sensor connectivity, industrial security, edge compute capabilities, and industrial networking. Vikas works closely with Cisco’s leading IoT customers and GTM partners to drive IoT adoption and customer success. Vikas has held leading positions in Cisco with broad product portfolio responsibilities, including in Cisco’s enterprise and service provider products and solutions such as voice, video, wireless, and routing. Vikas has held leadership positions at MobileIron, Accelera Mobile Broadband, and Verizon. He earned his MS degree in electrical engineering focusing on optical and data communications from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA.
Paul joined Inmarsat in 2007 following 10 years of active service in the British Army. He has led the Inmarsat Enterprise BU (Business Unit), responsible for all Inmarsat business in energy, mining, agritech, aid and development, media and integrated transport systems, since 2016. During his time in the role Paul has moved the focus of the BU toward an IoT-solution led business, and away from a simple wholesale supplier of connectivity. Paul has a wide array of experience within Inmarsat. On joining, he took a position within the Government team focused on business development, from which he quickly grasped the opportunity to broaden his responsibilities and successfully moved into an account management role. Over the next four years Paul managed a growing number of partners across land, sea and air verticals (government and commercial). Following the merger of two significant acquisitions and the launch of commercial business units at the end of 2011, Paul moved into a sales management position within the Maritime BU. In late 2014, Paul moved into the Enterprise BU to run Sales, before he was finally appointed to his current position as President, Enterprise BU two years later.
Sem Alberga is Investment Director in the Ventures team of KPN in the Netherlands. Sem joined KPN’s venture team in 2020 and is responsible for investments in the IOT, digital health, consumer and data&analytics verticals. Previously he has been investment manager at Nimbus Ventures and served as M&A advisor with Houlihan Lokey and ABN AMRO where he has been involved in various transactions, capital raisings and capital markets transactions within the TMT & Services sectors.
Victor Desport joined Creadev in 2017 as an Associate and then continued from 2019 as an Investment Director. Victor is specialized in IOT and healthcare sector investments.
Victor is a board member of Actility, Teleophtalmo and Easyence.
Previously, Victor worked 5 years at Orange in the M&A department.
Florent Thomann is Executive Director at Creadev since 2011. Florent has participated in a dozen investments in sectors such as IOT, sustainable development, education, food.
Florent is a board member of Actility, Recommerce, M2i and Easyence
Before joining the Creadev team, Florent worked as an Investment Director at Amundi for 7 years.
Simon is a member of the Senior Leadership Team at Inmarsat, leading the Commercial and Innovation team in the Enterprise Business Unit, with particular focus on developing Inmarsat’s product and commercial offer for IoT.
Prior to Inmarsat Simon has held a number of senior commercial positions in high growth technology and managed services businesses.
Learn more about the LoRaWAN technology by downloading the Actility “What is LoRaWAN” white paper