“Who wants to be my partner? »: what pleases and what annoys investors

The second season of "Who wants to be my partner?", a program that allows entrepreneurs to raise funds on television, begins this Wednesday, January 5. This new season is that of "whatever the cost" according to Jonathan Curiel, deputy general manager of programs for the M6 ​​group: in total, 5 million euros have been invested by the seven business angels, i.e. one million more than during the first season.

In the jury, four new faces: Anthony Bourbon (Feed), Sophie Méchaly (Paul&Joe), Jean-Pierre Nadir (Fairmoove.fr) and Isabelle Weill (IW Corp). We sat down with the show's seven jurors and asked them what turned them on and what turned them off when it came to investing.

Delphine André (Charles André Group) relies on team spirit

President of the Charles André Group, a logistics and industrial transport company, Delphine André is back for a second season. In 2002, she took the lead of the group created by her grandfather. Delphine André is also the owner of several prestigious establishments, including the Hotel Les Barmes de l'Ours, in Val d'Isère. During the show's first season, the entrepreneur invested in the reusable packaging start-up Embal'vert and Constant&Zoé, a clothing brand for people with disabilities.

What makes him want to invest: “An organized person, who shows that she has invested in her business. I pay particular attention to Made in France. »

What annoys him: “When the entrepreneur is too scattered or dreamy and the project lacks coherence and realism. »

Anthony Bourbon (Feed) bets on the original courses

Anthony Bourbon is at the origin of Feed, a foodtech start-up founded in 2016 and which became known for its complete meals in powder or bar form. At 33, the young business angel has invested in more than 45 start-ups, including the natural cosmetics brand Respire and fintech Bling.

What makes him want to invest: "When I can bring something other than money and there is an original story that allows for rapid growth".

What annoys him: “We are not here to do charity, nor to be nice. If the entrepreneur is not able to project himself in 10 years, that does not interest me. »

Eric Larchevêque (Ledger) is interested in rigor above all

In 2011, Eric Larchevêque co-founded Ledger, a French unicorn specializing in the security of cryptocurrencies, valued at more than 1.5 billion dollars. This trained engineer has invested in 16 companies, including 7 during the first season of "Who wants to be my partner?" ". He owns a portfolio of very varied companies, from the natural fertilizer La Belle Bouse to the prospecting software Pharow.

What makes him want to invest: “An entrepreneur who knows how to stop talking when necessary and who has a strong ability to listen. »

What annoys him: “When the project goes all over the place. I also have a lot of trouble with entrepreneurs who arrive with crazy valuations. »

Sophie Méchaly (Paul&Joe) favors the artistic touch

Founder of the Paul&Joe ready-to-wear brand before the age of 30, Sophie Méchaly is an example of French entrepreneurial success. An artist at heart, she has made Made in France one of her entrepreneurial creeds.

What makes him want to invest: “A project with a unique creative aspect”.

What annoys him: "If it's not in my field, I'm not going there".

Jean-Pierre Nadir (Fairmoove.fr) bets on impact projects

Building on his success with the EasyVoyages online portal, Jean-Pierre Nadir embarked on a new entrepreneurial adventure in 2021 with Fairmoove, a platform that promotes responsible travel. The investor has taken part in around twenty start-ups, often in tourism and greentech.

What makes him want to invest: “Empathetic people, nice people: they have a card to play with me”.

What annoys him: “If the market is crowded, I don't see who is going to buy the product, I pass my turn”.

Marc Simoncini (Angell) identifies the qualities of the entrepreneur

Marc Simoncini began his entrepreneurial career in website hosting at the end of the 1990s. He founded Meetic in 2001, the famous dating site, which he sold ten years later to the American giant Match.com . Marc Simoncini started a career as a business angel through the Jaïna Capital then Daphni funds and multiplied investments in start-ups. In 2017, he founded Angell, a brand of high-end electric bicycles.

What makes him want to invest: “If the entrepreneur who is behind the project is good in his field”.

What annoys him: “People who want to become entrepreneurs for the wrong reasons and think they can get easy money”.

Isabelle Weill (IW Corp) is looking for creators who are committed

Director of IWCorp, she develops numerous projects in real estate, tech, cosmetics and health. President of the RMC/BFM Association since 2008, Isabelle Weill leads numerous charitable initiatives, such as the Red Défilé to raise public awareness of cardiovascular diseases.

What makes him want to invest: “A social entrepreneurship project, presented in a clear way”.

What annoys him: “If I don't understand the business, I won't go there”.