Tomcat Factory

May 12, 2023

No Comments Based in Bordeaux, the Tudigo platform is launching an acceleration program called Apollo. A mission that this crowdfunding specialist does not intend to fulfill alone, relying on Tomcat Factory, which displays solid references. 80 start-ups should benefit from it, between intensive support and entry into capital. The crowdfunding platform Tudigo, piloted from Bordeaux by the eponymous company specializing since 2018 in unlisted investment, announces the launch of a “unique program in France”, christened Apollo. The idea? Select a promotion of twenty startups and offer them 3 months of strong support. On the menu : “an intensive mentoring program by recognized experts ranging from tech to sales, including HR and legal”, is it indicated in a press release. A component for which a partnership is set up with Tomcat Factory. Created by four “experienced entrepreneurs and investors” (Jeremy Pouyer, Elie du Pré de Saint Maur, Pierre Marronnier and Patrice Thiry), this entity displays references that bear substantial promise, having accompanied “40 projects as part of its acceleration program launched in mid-2020 (HEEX, Hello Syndic, Asap.work). At the end of the support, 80% of startups see their level of income double at least and 15 have already raised significant funds ranging from seed (0.7 million euros) to series B (15 million euros) with major players in venture capital. » is it thus argued. “This is an unprecedented offer on the French market, inspired by the model of recognized American players, like a Y Combinator or a TechStars”, illustrates Alexandre Laing, co-founder and CEO of Tudigo. Eligible startups must be in BtoB or BtoBtoC markets, but not in BtoC: “It’s more resilient, less cash-consuming and with recurring turnover. » And the young shoots must have an “early stage” stage of maturity: “In terms of size, we are on low valuations, we are going to look for companies that are at the start but which already have traction, between 10,000 and 50,000 euros in recurring monthly income. We are going to companies that are at the start of their turnover, it is more of a start-up. We didn’t do it before.”, enlightens the leader. Not a little proud or lacking in confidence regarding his partner: “At Tomcat, there are only big names, they are very good at commercial performance, product excellence, hyper-growth management, achieving profitability… and they have supported one of the most big French exit! Our goal is to save 12 to 18 months in the acceleration. » Different also for investors Tudigo and Tomcat Factory work hand in hand for the choice of the 20 entities making up the first promotion. This should be complete by mid-June and will benefit from the sponsorship of Olivier Pailhes, founder of the French telephony unicorn Aircall. Everyone will then play their part. It is thus a question of making benefit from the expertise of entrepreneurs and partners “recognized such as Stripe, Aircall, Kompass or even Hubspot. The coaching will also involve around fifty C-levels from major groups such as Edenred, Vestiaire Collective, Payfit and Veepee”. True to its identity, Tudigo will take care of the financing part: each time, 200,000 euros for a stake of 5 to 10% in the capital, with a valuation of 2 to 4 million euros. “They are intended to do x2 or x3 within 12 to 24 months”anticipe Alexandre Laing. On the other hand, the proposal that the Tudigo platform makes to investment candidates here is different from usual. “We have a very large audience, many individuals, who invest a few thousand euros in an operation, but some go up to fifty or a hundred thousand. They want to be able to diversify but don’t necessarily have the time or the desire. And we also have family offices and funds. On the investors’ side, until now there was no simplified solution for diversifying their investment risk and none that made it possible to know in advance the companies to which the funds are directed. The most confidential deals also remained reserved for traditional funds. Giving seasoned investors the opportunity to focus their investment on not one but twenty startups allows them to reduce the existing risk of their investment. It is also simpler, since they only have to perform their act of investment once and not twenty. Finally, and this is a novelty, they will know exactly which companies will be financed since they will be revealed at the opening of the investments”unfolds the general manager of Tudigo. Regarding this first salvo, once the promotion has been unveiled, the fundraising phase will take place from the end of June until mid-August. Support by Tomcat is planned for the period September-December 2023. And it is already planned to form three new promotions during the year 2024, i.e. a total of 80 “future nuggets of tomorrow” who will be accompanied.