Thursday evening, start-ups from the Nice Côte d’Azur metropolis, belonging to the Nice Start(s) Up association, gathered at Castel Plage in Nice to celebrate the awarding of a quality label. Entrepreneurs, project leaders, or students in the field, all took advantage of a moment of relaxation to disconnect from work. In theory…
“They should have done this tomorrow; we would have completely enjoyed it over the weekend.” Valérie De Jésus says with a smile, because it wouldn’t stop her from enjoying the evening. She runs the company My Flying Box and has been part of Nice Start(s) Up for four years. Her friend Rudolph Van Valkendurg, head of Artquid, will join the project, but tonight the focus isn’t on work. “Yes, we have the opportunity to make connections in a relaxed atmosphere, but we’ll let you go, we’re dying of thirst!”
Lots of laughter, hugs, and reunions, an atmosphere light-years away from the supposed rigidity of the entrepreneurial world. President Cédric Messina talks about the success “of a collective that won the French Tech label.” A quality mark that will help entrepreneurs in their profession. Vincent David, vice-president of the label, emphasizes “a collaborative spirit” that made it all possible. Coralie Schiel, development manager of Nice Start(s) Up, sums up the group’s goal: “To unite the city’s various hubs and make projects easier to achieve.”
Sea, work, and sun
The evening is in full swing as the sun gradually sets. “We can breathe better, can’t we?” can be heard among the roughly 180 guests present. George Gallais, head of Vuleg, wants to clear his mind. “We can meet among crazies here.” Crazies? “Because to accomplish what we do, it’s the right word,” he says, laughing. But work is never far away.
Those who wish can talk about their business or project to Radio Six. Sitting at a table, the journalists hand over the microphone live, giving a chance to stand out. Laoiri Debza hasn’t stepped forward, though he needs it. With his brother Nimoun, he has come to seek connections for his borrowing project. He plans to “listen more to clients to improve their living and working conditions.” An idea that lacks clarity, he doesn’t have the words to explain further, and his stress is palpable. So, his brother encourages him because “it’s the opportunity to get advice, you couldn’t dream of better here.” A few handshakes and pieces of advice later, Laoiri seems relieved. A calm face, he “understands the work he still has to do.”
Some have glasses in hand: “But why is yours empty? Come and get served!” For others, hand out business cards. As if to affirm what Cédric Messina declared during his speech: “Have fun, talk to each other, make contacts!”
