Numa Thiellement and Nicolas Charbonnier (EDHEC 2008) present Mondial Change

1. Can you explain in a few words how your project was born? (Team, origin and originality of the project)

We both met at EDHEC (Grande Ecole program, promotion 2008) and we quickly knew that we wanted to set up a project together. After working on our own for 10 years in distinct fields - market finance / entrepreneurship for Nicolas and corporate finance / consulting for my part - we have identified a good business opportunity created by a European directive that has broken The monopoly of banks on foreign exchange and payment transactions.

We realized that in the area of international payments and foreign exchange the supply of traditional banks was very costly in terms of exchange and transaction costs and not always well adapted to the real needs of SMEs in terms of Transparency of execution, access to hedging instruments against foreign exchange risk and customer support.

Despite the end of the monopoly of banks in this sector, too many companies continue to use the services of their traditional bank to carry out these operations. We therefore decided to create Mondial Change, thus offering SMEs an alternative that effectively complements or even replaces the services of banks in these areas.

Our objective is clearly to disrupt the world of payment and exchange by offering SMEs a complete service offering, equivalent to that of a bank but with much more competitive rates (better exchange rates / reduction and removal of many fees Fixed) and better service (an online platform, more support and proactivity).

2. What is your first assessment of this entrepreneurial adventure?

The company was founded in April 2015 but the commercial start-up really started at the end of 2015. Today, we have more than 100 customers with a wide variety of sizes and sectors.

Although there have been difficulties in setting up the project and there are still some, we have regretted our choice to embark on this entrepreneurial adventure.

We are fully responsible for our choices in the development of society and we enjoy a great deal of freedom in our schedules and the prioritization is both enriching and fulfilling.

3. Have you been able to enjoy EDHEC Alumni at any time?

We have not yet solicited the EDHEC network and are taking this opportunity to do so. Our offer is aimed at business managers, CFOs and treasurers who encounter problems related to foreign currencies and international payments. Many EDHEC graduates have this type of position and could be interested in our services.

4. What advice can you give young entrepreneurs?

Above all, it is necessary to have a true long-term vision of his project and above all to rely on a naturally profitable business model. Too many start-ups have a good idea at the outset but do not know how to monetize it, confuse turnover and result and can only temporarily survive by raising new funds. Today there is a fashion for thinking that we have succeeded when we do our first fundraising, but it is better sometimes to start small and consolidate its business before going to see potential investors.

Moreover, although having a good idea at the outset is important, it should not be forgotten that it is sometimes enough to be better than historical actors in an already existing and promising market.

Finally, you have to work hard, not count your hours and above all never get discouraged. The course of the entrepreneur is naturally made of many obstacles to overcome. It is the ability to overcome these obstacles, positiver and keep in mind its objective which also makes a contractor a good entrepreneur.

5. What are the next steps for your business?

What are the next steps for your We have just taken on new premises and launched an intensive recruitment phase, including commercial. The aim is to establish the reputation of the Mondial Change brand in order to become a leading player in France, first and then potentially in the rest of Europe, with a focus on French-speaking countries (Belgium, Switzerland and Luxembourg)....

6. Do you have expectations of the EDHEC graduate community (fundraising, search for collaborators, partners, advice, etc.)

Our expectations are essentially of two kinds: we wish to recruit EDHECs (trainees and graduates) and to make known our offer of services to the alumni network.

7. "Have you been in contact with EDHEC Young Entrepreneurs? If so, when and how did you get the incubator? "

We did not have the opportunity to be in contact with EDHEC Young Entrepreneurs because we have been graduating for some time.

Informations de contact

www.mondialchange.com / contact@mondialchange.com / twitter : @MondialChange / 0677053050