How to Create & Grow Your Business | Loic de Kerdrel | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Loic de Kerdrel, CEO of Adverline, discusses his entrepreneurial journey, from starting his company in 1999 to the challenges and successes along the way.

Transcript

[MUSIC PLAYING] LINO CATTARUZZI: OK, so let's get started. This is special. We will talk, in particular for me. I want to introduce you to Loic de Kerdrel. Loic is a very good friend. I'm going to make a disclaimer first. Actually, he's my marriage witness. And we've known each other for 16 years? LOIC DE KERDREL: Yeah. LINO CATTARUZZI: Roughly. I'... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥅 Success shouldn't be measured solely by financial achievements but by achieving personal goals and finding happiness in the process.
• 🖤 Starting a business today is more challenging due to increased competition and lack of massive disruption in the market.
• 💱 Blockchain technology is believed to be highly disruptive and has the potential to change many industries.
• ❓ Integrating different company cultures after an acquisition can be a challenge, and maintaining the original culture may require certain arrangements.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Adverline survive during the difficult market period in 2001-2002?

Adverline implemented a macrobilling paywall that allowed users to access content by dialing a premium phone call and entering a code, generating revenue during the challenging market period.

Q: What were some of the toughest moments Loic de Kerdrel faced as an entrepreneur?

Loic faced difficulty in convincing others about the potential of the internet early on and had to downsize his team during the market crash. He even sold his flat to buy back a majority stake in the company.

Q: What advice does Loic de Kerdrel have for aspiring entrepreneurs?

He advises following your own idea and vision, taking risks early on, and being willing to adapt quickly to changing circumstances. Additionally, he recommends finding a partner to share the journey and attract quality people to the team.

Q: What areas does Loic de Kerdrel invest in as an angel investor?

Loic invests in early-stage internet businesses, primarily focusing on the founder's profile and the market's time to market. He prefers investing in partnerships with a mix of technical, business, and design expertise.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Loic de Kerdrel started Adverline in 1999 with a simple idea: to gather small website audiences and sell advertising space. They first developed an ad-serving technology to simplify the process for webmasters.

• During the difficult market period in 2001 and 2002, Adverline survived by implementing a paywall using a macrobilling solution, which helped them generate revenue.

• In 2006, Adverline raised 15 million Euros through an IPO and expanded into publishing websites. In 2012, the company was sold to a French group, but Loic still serves as CEO.