Serial Entrepreneur Alexandre Prot is an angel investor for IoT, Fintech and SaaS companies, as well as the CEO and co-founder of Qonto – Frances leading neobank for freelancers, startups and SMEs. After graduating from HEC Paris and INSEAD, Alex started his career in investment banking with Goldman Sachs and McKinsey & Company. In 2011, he founded Wimdu, an online marketplace for short-term rentals and private homes. In 2013, he founded Smok.io, the first connected electronic cigarette. A Fortune 500 company acquired the young IoT venture after only two years.

1. Tackling the new challenges of your fast growing
company most effectively
Takeaways from Qonto story
Alex Prot (co-founder and CEO)

2. 120+
employees
25.000+
companies using Qonto
4.7+
Average rating (app stores & Facebook)
Qonto
Key figures
€32m
raised with Valar Ventures, Alven Capital
and the European Investment Bank

3. Why Qonto
Much better than a bank!
Faster
100% online, signup
in 5 minutes
Cheaper
Everyday banking
fees down by 50%
Simpler
Mobile, real-time
notifications
Smoother
UX/UI focused on
B2B, for self-service
Collaborative
Natively designed for
teams
Integrated
With the best
Fintech and SaaS

4. Entrepreneurs love Qonto...
… and they talk about it!

5. Two founders
Steve Anavi
President
Alexandre Prot
CEO
How we split our tasks
Business
Banking
Acquisition
Marketing
PR
Sales
Tech
Product
Tech Team management
Design
Brand
Operations

6. Our timeline
From the idea to 25,000 SME clients
European expansion
Own Core Banking
System120 (team)
2019

7. Qonto in 2016
Getting started

8. Qonto in 2016
Getting started

9. Qonto in 2016
Getting started

10. Qonto in 2016
Getting started

11. 1. Focus on what the MVP should be
2. Only listen to real potential users
3. Agree on clear milestones with co-founder(s) to make decisions easier
4. Hire entrepreneurial people with swiss knife skills and very good personal fit
5. Raise funds to go faster for authenticity and empowerment
Qonto in 2016
Getting started - Takeaways

12. Qonto in 2017
Becoming “real”

13. Qonto in 2017
Becoming “real”
Picture of first office = Camille

14. Qonto in 2017
Becoming “real”

15. Qonto in 2017
Becoming “real”

16. 1. Iterate fast on product and make sure everyone understands who the clients are
2. Leverage existing clients to grow user base (referrals, word-of-mouth, positive reviews)
3. Think of medium term for structural decisions (e.g. language/country/multi-users)
4. Keep on hiring to assemble best complementary team (skills) and start delegating
5. Raise capital when you don’t need to
Qonto in 2017
Becoming “real” - Takeaways

17. Qonto in 2018
Scaling

18. Qonto in 2018
Scaling

19. Qonto in 2018
Scaling
Creating the bank
all businesses love
Ambition Teamwork Mastery Integrity
We fix big
problems
We work in
harmony
We get better Pablo Escobar

20. Qonto in 2018
Scaling - Takeaways
1. Spend time with the team (old and new members)
2. Constantly improve communication, processes and tools to remain efficient
3. Be ready to say ‘no’ more often
4. Stay involved in everyday operations but make sure other people care as much as you
5. Dream big and step back, read, discuss to become a better leader

21. Qonto in 2019
Growing internationally

22. Thank you!
Let’s stay in touch!
ALEX3M
alex@qonto.eu