The rest of the 100 (in alphabetical order): Romain Lavault, general partner, Partech Ventures, Paris-Saclay Seed Fund
As general partner of venture capital firm Partech Ventures, Romain Lavault has a vital role in the French technology transfer ecosystem. At the start of 2017, Partech was chosen to run most of the €50m ($53m) Paris-Saclay Seed Fund – the vehicle offering early-stage investment in spinouts from the institutions that make up Paris-Saclay University.
Paris-Saclay was founded as an academic project in 2014 to unite 18 higher education and research organisations.
Before its first close, the seed fund received backing from state-backed investment agency BPIFrance as well as electronics manufacturer Cisco and energy firm EDF.
Lavault and Partech are responsible for running the 70% of the fund that is focused on IT and digital investments. The remainder aims to back life sciences and medical ventures and is managed by Kurma Partners.
Lavault joined Partech in 2013. His previous experience includes setting up technology companies and a role at software company Dassault Systems.
