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Claire Jolimont (who graduated the Grande École Program in 2013) undoubtedly needed a clever mix
of devil-may-care, courage and determination to launch a tech start-up with her brother while she was still a student at IÉSEG! Her hard work, her down-to-earth attitude, her business sense and her participative management style did the rest: Pingflow is now a true success story that has already won over hundreds of customers around the world. After ten years as CEO in what is essentially a man’s world, Claire gives us an inspiring and straightforward assessment, while reminding us that you are not born a female entrepreneur: you become one.

How did you come to create a start-up during your studies at IÉSEG?
It came about through a series of coincidences. My brother had the idea for adisplay product for industry when I was in my third year. I quickly realised that he was going to need someone to market it and that’s how I became involved. I approached EuraTechnologies, mainly to get some funding: working in this ecosystem of inspiring tech entrepreneurs generated a bit of competition and made us want to move forward with the project.
At the time, there was little talk of entrepreneurship at IÉSEG, even less of startups. To find out about the sector at its source (in Silicon Valley), I decided to try my luck and apply for an “Innovation & Entrepreneurship” program at Stanford where I went in 2012 in parallel with my first year of Master. I came back wanting to go into partnership with my brother and the Pingflow project was officially launched!

How would you sum up Pingflow to someone who doesn’t know anything about it?
We position ourselves as the publisher of a digital display solution, widening the distribution of key information to teams in the field via a “wallboard”, with a single objective: operational excellence. The digital wallboard thus becomes a means of informing, empowering and managing teams by displaying relevant information.
Our customers come from all sectors, such as the automotive sector, aeronautics, chemicals, etc. in France and abroad (USA, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Mexico, etc.). Half of our team is made up of developers, the other half of project managers. COVID has speeded up the digitalisation of businesses and partly explains our strong growth in recent years.

How did you feel at 22 when you entered the world of Tech?
I didn’t expect it would be easy, but I didn’t let my doubts hold me back: they acted as a driving force. To be unbeatable, I worked twice as hard as anyone on the necessary subjects. It didn’t shock me that I had no credibility since I still had everything to learn. During our first client meetings, I was always accompanied by my brother: either they spoke only to him, or I felt that they were testing me. It taught me to identify lines of communication and to develop a certain stance.

What did you learn from your experience of managing a mainly male team?
I no longer manage or behave the way I did ten years ago. I have learned to take off the mask. When I started, I was like an onion with different layers depending on who I was talking to. I needed to do this to create my identity and gain respect. Now, I allow myself to be myself. In terms of management, I am participatory, attentive, innovative, with a clear direction and vision. My aim is to raise everyone’s game, but that’s not to say I’m everyone’s best friend!

Why do you think there are so few women in tech?
There are many factors which come into play: you need technical skills, and science courses are not very appealing to young women. There’s also undoubtedly a form of self censorship and mental blocks – whether they be great or small – and the famous impostor syndrome, but also biases in education and the expectations of society. Little girls are taught to place too much emphasis on being in “service” or playing supporting roles. Schools like IÉSEG also have a part to play in terms of education on the subject: they must help develop female leadership and present opportunities for professions that are not traditionally perceived as being female. Career paths like mine or Agathe MONPAYS‘s are good examples.
In other words, women must be encouraged to be daring through inspiring “role models”. The situation is changing, but too slowly for my taste: we still see too few women in management positions, except in HR, purchasing, marketing, etc. What I have learned in ten years is that you should not wait for things to fall from the sky: sometimes you have to make them happen…

What do you think of the so-called “glass ceiling”?
It’s an interesting subject: even if you try to deny it exists, I think it is above all a question of your own limits and I experience it on a daily basis myself. This is why I am very interested in personal development and to continue working on certain aspects of this. For ten years, I focused on my expertise to have credibility. Now, I intend to further develop my stance, “the self”, the “why and how” of what I do. I’m getting to an age where I’m starting to think more about work-life balance and I don’t want to have any regrets at 50. Before COVID, I was 100% absorbed in my work and my many commitments. The lockdowns allowed me to take a break and step back, then learn to say no to certain requests. In the past, I was afraid of missing out but now I feel more at ease, I have set limits for myself, but I continue to make myself useful through a solid network and step up for all the causes that are close to my heart. It’s a very feminine thing to do! After ten years of building and learning, I want to move intoa “family life” phase… with more new things to learn!

What advice do you have for any woman who would like to start a business when they leave school?
In as much as the concept of a career as we knew it ten years ago no longer exists, I am convinced that you can become a “slasher”, change sector or profession or even combine several businesses/jobs at the same time. There are two final pieces of advice that I wish someone had given me: first, it will never be “the right time” – don’t wait for all the planets to be aligned. Above all, you have to listen to yourself and follow your intuition, create and develop links and networks and be bold. Finally, even if this is not what your upbringing or society has instilled in you, don’t be afraid to be “yourself” to feel at ease… and never underestimate yourself!

This article was written by Luna Créations for IÉSEG Network’s magazine, IÉS #15.