Enter the French market with insiders who know the buyers, distributors and investors
France is one of Europe's largest markets, and one of the hardest to enter from outside. Boardio connects you with French advisors and board members who know the buyers, distributors, partners and investors in your sector and can introduce you personally. Browse the advisors below, or let us run the search for you with Turnkey.
- Customers
- Distributors
- Partners
- Investors
Entering France: what usually blocks foreign companies
- French-language sales, contracts and support expected by most buyers.
- Large corporates and public buyers with formal, relationship-based procurement.
- A centralised business community where Paris networks matter a lot.
- Employment and regulatory rules that differ from other European markets.
Advisors based in France
A selection from Boardio's network of 400+ advisors in France. Full details available after starting a search. Profiles anonymised
Ex-VP Strategy & Business Development: Prestige Beauty & PE Advisory
Full P&L responsibility as Brand GM for La Mer, Bobbi Brown and Jo Malone in Benelux, scaling three prestige brands with a 30+ person sales and marketing team. VP Strategy & BD for Prestige Fragrances globally, then VP Strategy & Transformation on the executive committee at a major Japanese beauty group. Founded a strategy consultancy advising PE funds on beauty and cosmetics due diligences and growth plans; investor and advisor in AI and agri-tech startups.
Former VP Global Strategic Partnerships, IQVIA: Life Sciences & AI
Negotiated and delivered multi-million client-centric solutions across R&D, real-world evidence, IT and commercial functions for biopharma and life sciences clients over 9+ years in EMEA. Director EMEA at IMS Health and Senior Principal Global Management Consulting. Executive Managing Director roles driving AI transformation, commercial excellence and growth strategy in healthcare and life sciences.
Former Executive Vice President, MANITOU Group: Industrial Equipment
Group Executive Committee member as EVP at MANITOU Group with full international operations oversight for nearly a decade. Directeur Général Adjoint at a major fleet management company; Directeur des opérations internationales at a European services group leading multi-country service networks. Early international leadership in engineering and production across USA and UK.
Biotech Entrepreneur & Strategic Advisor: Industrial Microbiology
Founded and scaled BioMire as CEO, building an integrated MVP combining hardware, software, analytics and AI for remote industrial microbial risk diagnostics with validated premium market fit. Turnaround CEO at a contract research organisation transitioning to CDMO, and interim CEO at a CEA oncology spin-off. Scaled life sciences operations across Europe and North America.
Serial Entrepreneur: 3 Exits including Havas | Digital Media & Recruitment Tech
Founded and exited a media group to Havas (Euronext Paris), a digital platform to a Scandinavian financial group, and a marketplace to investors. Led international teams across 8 countries. Currently Chief Commercial Officer at an automotive B2B SaaS company.
Former COO, Orkila (acquired by Azelis): Specialty Chemicals & MEA Expansion
Scaled Orkila across MEA (approximately 20 countries, 400+ colleagues, sales in 40+ markets) as CFO then COO, establishing new offices and 100+ supplier partnerships before acquisition by Azelis. Previously Investment Manager at AXA IM managing a $2.5B structured credit portfolio with full due diligence and risk analysis.
Tech Investor & Venture Partner: Bpifrance, French SaaS & Enterprise Software
Venture Partner at Bpifrance Digital Ventures and two other French funds; active board member and observer for 10+ French tech scaleups with multiple successful exits to international acquirers. Independent consultant on restructuring, M&A preparation and portfolio management for VC and PE funds.
Serial Tech Entrepreneur & Executive Sparring Partner: CAC40 Digital
Pioneer of the French internet, building an 80-person subsidiary for a major European aerospace and defence group (MatraNet/EADS). CEO of a mobile marketing platform serving CAC40 clients including Sanofi and Danone. Founded two IoT and connected air quality SaaS companies. Partner at an executive sparring firm; 30+ years scaling technology and services companies with international leadership.
Let us find your local door-opener
Tell us the market and the doors you need opened. Qualified advisors apply, we send you a curated shortlist, and you pay a success fee from €1,900 + VAT only if you start working with someone we found. No retainer.
FAQ
How do I find distributors in France?
A French advisor from your industry can point you to the right distributors and introduce you to decision makers, which saves months of cold outreach.
What does setting up a business in France involve?
Forming a SAS or branch is handled by local lawyers and accountants. The commercial work, first customers, partners and investors, is where a Boardio advisor helps. Boardio does not handle company formation.
Do I need a French-speaking advisor?
For most B2B sales in France, yes. You can specify language requirements in your search.
How much does it cost?
Posting a search and browsing advisors is free. With Turnkey you pay a success fee from €1,900 + VAT only if you start working with an advisor we found. No retainer.
Advisors in other countries
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