Ten Years at VivaTech, Finally as a Founder

For nine years, I have attended VivaTech helping other people have important conversations.

Last year I managed one of my own.

Since its conception, I've attended VivaTech in various capacities.

Host. Moderator. Coach. Facilitator.

Nine years. Almost all of it centred around the Discovery Stage.

My role was always the same: help other people shine.

This year, for the first time, I'm attending as the founder of Vortolo.

No stage to manage.No panel to moderate.No event to host.

Just conversations.

Founders.Companies.

Ecosystem Leaders. Operators.People building things and trying to make sense of a world that seems to be changing faster every year.

And for the first time, I get to be one of them.

That's a gift. And I mean that.

For years, my attention was on speakers, timings, technical teams, making sure everything ran smoothly. I loved it. But I gave everything to the room and walked away with almost nothing for myself.

This year is different.

Free to move. Free to talk. Free to build.

I've been building Vortolo for a year now. Sometimes it's been brutal. Sometimes it’s been the best time of my life. Uncertain in ways I didn't fully anticipate. But I’ve had snapshots of what it could be. And it’s worth it. I'm still here. Still moving forward.

There are no guarantees that conversations become clients. No guarantees that ideas become businesses. No guarantees that effort gets rewarded.

But this year, at least, I'm playing for myself.

And I intend to make it count.

Onwards.