Two entrepreneurs, one private bank: BNP Paribas Wealth Management
Entrepreneurship is a story of passion, commitment and of course financing.
Two men, two generations, two very different companies. Yet, when asked about their motivations, the same energy permeated the room.
One of them created a network of company day nurseries in 2003. Today Babilou is the leader in France and present in 12 countries. The other entrepreneur started by developing a mixing app for amateur DJs and today is at the helm of MWM, one of the world’s leading publishers of creative apps. Furthermore, their apps have been downloaded more than 400 million times!
A passion for entrepreneurship
What do these two men have in common? First, their desire to set up a business, then it was their aspiration to see far ahead, and finally their passion in everything they do. “If you are only in it for the money, it won’t last very long”, says Jean-Baptiste Hironde.
Money is not the main factor driving them, albeit essential. Rodolphe Carle contacted banks from the outset (“they stayed by our side for five years although we were nowhere”, he explains. Jean-Baptiste Hironde first worked with ‘business angels’ before turning to family offices, and eventually banks.
Their two distinct journeys finally overlapped at BNP Paribas Wealth Management. The private and business lives of an entrepreneur are closely linked. Just as banks are part of a company's ecosystem, so private banking becomes part of their personal ecosystem. “As entrepreneurs, we have to do everything, and we can’t do it alone”, Jean-Baptiste Hironde sums up.
BNP Paribas Wealth Management is totally devoted to entrepreneurs, serving them in their business life and personal life.
Wealth Management supports company bosses at every stage of their business and personal lives. Whether they are growing their activity or adapting to changes in their personal/family life, their Relationship Manager (RM) at BNP Paribas Wealth Management serves as a single point of contact. With a deep knowledge of each client, the RM builds a relationship of trust, mobilising all the Group’s expertise to serve the client’s business and personal needs.
On the business side: the RM introduces the client to our Private Equity teams, or Corporate and Institutional Banking teams for M&A activity, finding new partners (co-financing, community networking, etc.) or property with BNP Paribas Real Estate.
On the personal side: the client may need Wealth Planning solutions to anticipate and structure wealth, or even to exit the company! This is a fully-integrated approach, with the RM orchestrating the whole process for our special clients.
One of the unique characteristics of entrepreneurs is their desire for risk. “I take risks all the time”, says Jean-Baptiste Hironde calmly. Meanwhile, Rodolphe Carle recalls that he had put up a personal surety for his company for a long time (“we had no other choice but to succeed”) before managing “the balance between debt and equity.”
The art of financing across all generations
Identifying or anticipating risks, and helping entrepreneurs to take them at the right level over the long run is a major challenge for RMs.
In addition to its integrated ‘One Bank’ model, BNP Paribas Wealth Management is creating a specific ecosystem for Tech entrepreneurs, offering flexible financing, investment solutions (fundraising facilities, opportunities, etc.) and wealth protection/structuring, as well as specialised expertise (from acquisition to sale) and access to a high-calibre international network. Moreover, for young entrepreneurs, our exclusive ‘Next Gen’ programme enables them to join an active community and meet peers!
The expertise of a traditional private bank plus entrepreneurial codes: BNP Paribas Wealth Management combines the best of both worlds - a trusted partner offering entrepreneurs tailored advisory and solutions every step of the way.