Thibaud Elziere: Pioneering Entrepreneurship & Investment
in Tech Ecosystem
Biography of Thibaud Elziere:
Early Life and Education
Born on September 13, 1979, in Aix-en-Provence, France,
Thibaud Elzière embarked on his entrepreneurial journey with a robust academic
foundation. He pursued engineering at École Centrale de Lyon, economics at
Université Lumière Lyon 2, and management studies at Technische Universität
Berlin. These diverse disciplines equipped him with a comprehensive
understanding of technology, business, and economics, laying the groundwork for
his future ventures.
Founding Fotolia: Revolutionizing Stock Photography
In 2004, while still a student, Thibaud co-founded Fotolia,
an innovative stock photography platform that democratized access to
high-quality images. The platform's success culminated in its acquisition by
Adobe in 2014 for €800 million, marking a significant milestone in Thibaud's
entrepreneurial career.
Thibaud Elziere: Pioneering Entrepreneurship and Investment in the Tech Ecosystem / Biography of Thibaud Elziere: / Investor Thibaud Elziere:
Establishing eFounders and Transition to Hexa
In 2011, Thibaud co-founded eFounders, a startup studio
aimed at incubating and scaling innovative tech startups. The studio's model
involved partnering with entrepreneurs to develop and launch new ventures. In
2022, eFounders was rebranded as Hexa, expanding its focus to include
specialized verticals such as AI and healthtech.
Pioneering New Ventures
Thibaud's entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish
several other ventures:
- Gama
Space (2020): Aiming to revolutionize space exploration, Gama Space
focuses on developing solar sails for deep space missions.
- Iconic
House (2021): Co-founded with his brother Robin Michel, Iconic House
offers luxury properties for rent, blending the comfort of private homes
with the services of high-end hotels.
- Kate
(2022): Thibaud co-founded Kate, a microcar manufacturer dedicated to
creating ultra-light vehicles for urban mobility.
- Folk
(2020): As CEO, Thibaud leads Folk, an extended relationship
management platform developed within Hexa, aimed at enhancing team
collaboration and productivity.
Angel Investing and Industry Impact
Beyond founding companies, Thibaud is an active angel
investor, supporting over 100 startups, including notable names like Algolia,
Notion, and Hugging Face. His investments span various sectors, reflecting his
commitment to fostering innovation across industries.
Personal Life and Values
Thibaud resides in Brussels with his wife, Marine de
Waziers, and their three children. Their home reflects his commitment to
sustainability and design, featuring a modular structure with eco-friendly
materials.
Legacy and Future Endeavors
Thibaud Elzière continues to influence the tech ecosystem
through his ventures and investments. His journey from founding Fotolia to
leading Hexa and beyond showcases his dedication to innovation and his ability
to identify and capitalize on emerging opportunities. As he looks to the
future, Thibaud remains a pivotal figure in shaping the landscape of technology
and entrepreneurship.
