Jean-Baptiste Decarre (Master 2015) launches the AirBnb of the nautical world: ShareBoat!

Jean-Baptiste Decarre (Master 2015) and his two associates run a start-up that is already enjoying considerable success: ShareBoat. With a second fundraising operation underway and 10 employees already hired, our young entrepreneur has set sail for a fine career in entrepreneurship! 

EDHEC Alumni : Can you briefly explain the principle behind ShareBoat? 

JBD : ShareBoat is a boat rental platform for private users and has already been described as the new AirBnB of the nautical world. There are three young entrepreneurs (EDHEC, ENS & EBS) involved in the project, which began in London over a year ago. We are supported by two experienced professionals (Mahesh Kumar, an expert in technological start-ups, and Bruno Troublé, expert sailor and creator of the Louis Vuitton Cup), who are accompanying us on this ambitious project. ShareBoat is part of the DAC Beachcroft Labs incubator, which specialises in technological start-ups and collaborative economy in London. Our platform, www.shareboat.fr, allows owners of sailing and motor boats to make them available for rental as part of an easy and secure process, and it enables enthusiastic customers to take up offers that are on average 35% cheaper than through the traditional channels!

What is your initial assessment of this entrepreneurial adventure?

JBD  : Exceptional!  I have already learned an awful lot and continue to learn new things day after day about a wide range of topics: as head of HR (especially now that we have a team of 11 people), as financial director or international business developer. Being an entrepreneur means understanding a range of key company data, which gives you exceptional business acumen. The progress made over the first two years has been remarkable, and I can truly say that each day is more stimulating than the last, with new challenges and data to understand and resolve.  Would I do it all over again? For sure. ShareBoat is my first company, set up when I was 21. Other projects will follow over the years, that’s for sure! 

Have you ever benefited from the network of EDHEC graduates?

JBD  : I was impressed by the power of the EDHEC network and the solidarity between its members, which in the case of ShareBoat has been demonstrated once again.  I have met with many different professionals who helped me progress through the entrepreneurial stages and allowed me to take the plunge and push my business forward. In fact, one of them has been with me since the start of my training; I worked alongside him and for his businesses for more than two years. He’s the one who gave me an appetite for entrepreneurship and encouraged me to become an entrepreneur myself. 

What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs?

JBD  : If you have an idea, whether or not it’s good, and you’re capable of building up a team, take that step and forget about your fears and the security provided by the great many job offers that come with our status as EDHEC graduates. Working for yourself on your own project and progressing through the different stages one by one is a unique experience. And what a sense of personal achievement! Believe me, it’s not hard to work 80 hours per week when it’s your own company, because you gain in confidence and professionalism as you flourish. One piece of advice that I would like to give to current EDHEC students is to establish their own company while still on campus! I benefited from the expertise of all of my professors and the other contributors to my programme, who had a real impact on ShareBoat.
Also, the first two years of the project – when the entrepreneur is not in a position to receive a salary (drawing up a business plan, becoming operational and the early months of development) – coincided with my studies at a time when I was lucky enough not to need a salary. The risk is much lower compared to an entrepreneur with a family! So take the plunge and you’ll see: nothing is unachievable as long as you want to succeed.

What’s next for ShareBoat?

JBD  : It is important for us to be able to prepare our first season as well as possible. This season will be decisive as it will allow us to establish a sustainable presence on a niche market, where others before us have failed. We have just successfully run a second fundraising campaign that allowed us to recruit a team of 10 people and set up offices. So the company has recently grown in size, and the challenge now facing is to understand how to operate if we want to become THE reference when it comes to boat rentals between private users in Europe. The season is almost underway, and everyone is working flat out.

What are your expectations from the community of EDHEC graduates?

JBD  : We are actively looking for partners for our innovative company: from the media, nautical world or the tourist industry. We want to work with the best in order to expand sustainably! Let me put it simply: we all know someone who owns a boat or who likes sailing! An introduction to that person would be great, as it would represent another ShareBoat user. Such a small contribution would be most valuable and contribute to the development of our company! 

Contact
Website : www.shareboat.fr
Facebook 
Mail : Jb.decarre@shareboat.co.uk
Phone : +33 6 84 43 26 08