Clementine: from bootstrap to exit / Brutal brake for Angell bikes / OpenAI unveils Operator

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Clementine: from bootstrap to exit, the exemplary journey of a discreet Frenchtech startup

The French startup Clementine Compta, founded 12 years ago and remaining independent and profitable, was acquired by TeamSystem, a European player in accounting management. Without ever raising funds, Clementine won over 10,000 customers by focusing on a 100% bootstrapped model. This acquisition is part of TeamSystem’s strategy to strengthen its presence in France, with a turnover of 850 million euros. William Boiché, co-founder, leaves the company to launch into…

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Brutal braking for Angell bikes.

Angell, founded by Marc Simoncini, is getting closer to a probable bankruptcy filing, marking the end of the adventure for this brand of connected electric bikes. The recall of 5,000 first generation bicycles due to manufacturing defects caused an insurmountable financial crisis, aggravated by the refusal of its partner Seb to restart production. With losses estimated at 20 million euros for Marc Simoncini, this failure demonstrates the complexity of developing “made in France” in a market dominated by China.

OpenAI unveils Operator, an autonomous agent to automate online tasks

OpenAI has launched Operator, an intelligent agent capable of browsing the web and performing tasks like filling out forms or ordering groceries. Powered by the Computer-Using Agent (CUA) model, it interacts with GUIs via an integrated browser. Available in preview for Pro users in the United States, Operator ensures security and transparency, with robust mechanisms to protect sensitive data. OpenAI plans to expand its access and integrate its functionality into ChatGPT

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ByteDance invests $20.6 billion in AI in 2025

Chinese giant ByteDance, owner of TikTok, plans to invest more than 150 billion yuan (20 billion euros) in 2025, largely in infrastructure linked to artificial intelligence, according to anonymous sources. About half of that budget will be spent on overseas projects, including data centers and networking equipment, benefiting companies like Huawei, Cambricon and Nvidia.

Trump Downplays Musk’s Stargate Criticism

Donald Trump has dismissed Elon Musk’s criticism of the Stargate deal, saying Musk “hates one of the people involved in the deal” and that his comments do not call into question the viability of the project.

LinkedIn accused of using private messages to train AI

LinkedIn is facing a complaint accusing the platform of sharing private messages from its users with third parties to train artificial intelligence models without their consent. Filed on behalf of millions of premium account users, the complaint alleges that in August 2024, LinkedIn quietly introduced a privacy option allowing the sharing of personal data, followed by an update in September 2024 allowing users to refuse this sharing, but without retroactive effect.

The plaintiffs, citing a violation of privacy and California and federal law, are seeking damages, including $1,000 per affected user. LinkedIn rejected the accusations, calling them “baseless”

UK launches investigation into Apple and Google mobile ecosystems

Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on Thursday opened an investigation into Apple and Google’s mobile ecosystems to determine whether they breach the UK’s new digital competition rules. The investigation will assess whether the two giants hold “strategic market status” in their mobile operating systems, app stores and browsers, and their impact on consumers and businesses.

+ EXPERIENCES

MEDIA: prioritize Paid, Earned or Owned Media based on business lifecycles

The concepts of Paid, Earned and Owned Media are regularly at the heart of marketing discussions. Often opposed to each other or poorly valued, they sometimes struggle to be understood in their complementarity. At the start of the year, we invite you to revisit the subject whose balance in 2025 is called into question

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Best practices: GAP Selling: a pragmatic approach to closing the gaps and transforming B2B selling

In our series on different sales techniques, this week we are focusing on GAP Selling.

+ FUNDRAISING

From idea to impact: 4elements raises 27.4 million euros to redefine climate venture building

  • Augmented messaging: Kraaft raises 13 million euros to digitalize construction
  • Karmen raises 9 million euros to enrich its financing offer for VSEs and SMEs

+ NUMBERS

UNESCO: increase in smartphone bans in schools

According to the latest UNESCO GEM report, 40% of education systems (79 countries) now ban smartphones in the classroom, compared to 30% at the end of 2023. The report highlights the distractions caused by these devices, the lack of data protection (only 16% of countries legally protect privacy) and negative impacts on girls. On the other hand, bans in Belgium, Spain and the United Kingdom have improved academic results, especially among students in difficulty.

+ FRENCHWEB MARKET With our partner VANTA, finally automate your compliance and simplify your security management.

Donald Trump signs executive order to promote cryptocurrencies in the United States

On Thursday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at strengthening innovation in the cryptocurrency sector and investigating the scenario of creating a national stockpile of digital assets. The text emphasizes the promotion of stablecoins backed by the dollar in order to support American economic sovereignty.

This initiative marks a turnaround for Trump, who was very critical of cryptocurrencies during his first term. On the electoral field, he attracted massive support from industry players, who contributed nearly half of corporate donations during the 2024 presidential campaign.

At the signing in the Oval Office, he was accompanied by David Sacks, venture capitalist and newly appointed head of cryptocurrencies and artificial intelligence. Note that David Sacks is part of the “Paypal Mafia” after having been the COO of Paypal where he worked with Elon Musk, with whom he is close.

The NERVE OF WAR, the podcast not to be missed with FYGR, cash tracking tool

To include in your diary:

L’X hosts the scientific portion of the AI ​​Action Summit on February 6 and 7, 2025

On February 6 and 7, 2025, the Institut Polytechnique de Paris (IP Paris) is organizing an international conference entitled “AI, Science, and Society” on the École Polytechnique campus in Palaiseau. This event will bring together researchers, business leaders, policy makers and experts to discuss the impact of artificial intelligence on science and society. Speakers include renowned figures such as Michael Jordan (UC Berkeley/Inria), Yann Le Cun (Courant Institute/Meta FAIR) and Bernhard Schölkopf (Max Planck Institute). The conference will serve as a prelude to the AI ​​Action Summit, scheduled for February 10-11, 2025 in Paris.

Today’s job offer with ALTAIDE recruitment firm

The Polytechnic school looking for a Entrepreneurship & Innovation Director (F/M) to manage its innovation and entrepreneurial support strategy. Under the responsibility of the Director of Education and Research, and in conjunction with the presidency, this strategic position will supervise the incubator, prototyping and technology centers, as well as support and communication (20 employees).

Expected profile: scientific or engineering training, significant experience in innovation and entrepreneurship, proficiency in English, and proven skills in team management, strategic partnerships and financing. A key role at the heart of an international and forward-looking environment.

🥐 Previous editions of GOOD MORNING FRENCHWEB:

    • Between Sam Altman and Elon Musk the rag burns / CA record for HELLOWORK / Paid, Earned or Owned Media, what priorities?
    • YOUNITED loses its unicorn status / Microsoft loses its exclusivity with OPEN AI / The American government has a stake in TIKTOK?
    • Jean de la Rochebrochard joins Cassius / Trump redraws the contours of tech by decree / Younited goes live on Euronext Paris

🚀 To read on FRENCHWEB.FR:

    • Ledger co-founder David Balland kidnapped and released after ransom demand
    • Stargate: a strategic investment of $500 billion to counter China’s technological rise
    • Altares Dun & Bradstreet acquires Companyweb to strengthen its presence on the Belgian market
    • Dominique de Villepin, and 17 former European leaders, call for regulating Google.
    • The Swedish EasyPark absorbs Flowbird (formerly Parkeon) to find the right place on the chessboard of urban mobility solutions
    • Hyperline raises 9.4 million euros to administer customer invoicing for SaaS startups
    • 5 essential tools to optimize your customer relations