Sacha MAIRESSE
Founder
Antoo
This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content.
123-456-7890
Interview
Q1
Can you recall the moment you first encountered La French Tech? What was your initial reaction and how did it shape your view of the tech community?
I first came across La French Tech while exploring entrepreneurial networks to better understand how ecosystems support startups. What struck me immediately was how dynamic and inclusive the community seemed. It wasn’t just about providing resources; it was about creating a space where innovation thrives through collaboration.
My initial reaction was admiration for their approach to fostering connections between startups, investors, and innovators across different regions. It made me realize the power of a united tech community in driving innovation. It also shaped my perspective on what an entrepreneurial ecosystem should be open, supportive, and driven by a shared mission to push boundaries.
Seeing the success stories coming out of La French Tech reinforced my belief that no entrepreneur thrives in isolation. It’s about finding the right network and leveraging it to turn ideas into impactful ventures. This inspired me to think about how I could build a similar sense of connection and support for entrepreneurs through my work with Antoo.
Q2
What's the backstory of your move to Thailand? Could you share how this decision has influenced you both personally and professionally?
Although I haven’t officially moved to Thailand, my interest in the country stems from its vibrant and rapidly growing entrepreneurial ecosystem. Thailand has positioned itself as a gateway to Southeast Asia, with a dynamic tech industry and a strong push for innovation in sectors like fintech, e-commerce, and green tech.
Exploring Thailand as a potential market has been a significant step for me. On a professional level, it has broadened my understanding of how different regions foster entrepreneurship. I’ve learned to approach opportunities with a global perspective, recognizing that cultural nuances and market dynamics play a crucial role in building successful ventures. Personally, it has been eye-opening to see how much innovation can emerge when diverse talents and ideas converge in one place.
This exploration has influenced how I approach Antoo, pushing me to think about how our platform can adapt to different entrepreneurial ecosystems while still addressing universal challenges like finding the right co-founder. It’s a reminder of the importance of flexibility and openness in scaling a solution globally.
Q3
What specifically attracted you to Thailand? Were there particular opportunities or factors that motivated your move?
What attracted me to Thailand was the opportunity to address a clear and growing need within its entrepreneurial ecosystem. The startup community in Thailand is expanding rapidly, and with that growth comes challenges, particularly in forming strong, aligned founding teams. I saw this as a chance for Antoo to bring value by offering a platform that directly addresses this issue.
The gap in tools and resources for connecting entrepreneurs with complementary skills and visions presented a unique market opportunity. Thailand’s dynamic environment, combined with its increasing focus on fostering innovation, makes it an ideal place to introduce a solution like Antoo. It wasn’t just about entering a new market but about solving a real problem for entrepreneurs who are striving to build successful ventures.
This sense of purpose responding to a genuine need was my main motivation. It reinforced my belief that impactful solutions are born from understanding and addressing the challenges faced by a community.
Q4
Let's delve into what you do. What's the core of your work, and what motivates you to push forward? What achievements are you aiming for?
At the core of my work is creating meaningful connections for entrepreneurs through Antoo, a platform designed to help them find their ideal co-founders. Starting a business is challenging, and one of the biggest hurdles is building a solid, aligned founding team. In fact, research shows that 32% of a unicorn startup’s success can be attributed to the strength of its founding team, which highlights just how critical this aspect is.
I’m driven by the idea of simplifying this process, enabling entrepreneurs to focus on innovation and growth rather than struggling to find the right partners. When entrepreneurs tell us that Antoo will helped them find the perfect co-founder and that’s a must for them, it validates our mission and drives me to improve the platform even further.
My ultimate goal is to establish Antoo as the global reference for co-founder matching. Beyond just connecting people, I want Antoo to become a hub for resources, guidance, and community-building, ensuring that entrepreneurs not only find the right partners but also have the support they need to thrive. Achieving this means helping startups reduce failure rates and empowering more great ideas to become reality.
Q5
Who benefits from your work, and in what ways? Can you share a story or example that highlights the positive impact your professional activity has had?
Entrepreneurs and startup founders are the primary beneficiaries of Antoo. Our platform helps them find co-founders who complement their skills and align with their vision—a critical factor in building successful teams. By reducing the time and effort spent searching for the right partner, we enable founders to focus on what truly matters: developing their ideas and scaling their startups.
One example that stands out is a founder who messaged Antoo with a vision for a tech-driven sustainability platform but lacked the technical expertise to bring it to life. Through Antoo's LinkedIn network, they connected with a technical co-founder who shared their passion for green tech. The founder later shared how pivotal Antoo was in turning their idea into a tangible and growing business.
This kind of impact motivates me the most—seeing how the right connections can transform entrepreneurial dreams into reality and help startups thrive. Our MVP is set to be released this month, making the process even simpler.
Q6
Entrepreneurship is no smooth sailing. Can you talk about a major challenge you've faced and how you navigated through it?
One of the biggest challenges I faced was launching the MVP (Minimum Viable Product) for Antoo in a tight timeframe. As a startup, we had limited resources and the pressure to launch quickly to gather real-world feedback from entrepreneurs was immense. The challenge was not only about developing the platform but ensuring it would be simple and functional enough for users to engage with immediately.
To navigate through this, we focused on prioritizing core features that addressed the most critical needs of our users matching co-founders based on complementary skills and shared vision. We adopted an agile approach, releasing early versions quickly and iterating based on user feedback. This allowed us to learn rapidly, adapt, and refine the product to meet the needs of entrepreneurs.
Though it was a stressful period, overcoming this challenge taught me the importance of flexibility and iteration in the early stages of a startup. It reinforced the idea that the best way to build something successful is to start small, test quickly, and evolve based on real feedback.
Q7
Engaging with the local tech and entrepreneurial scene is vital. How do you connect with this community, and why is this interaction important to you?
Engaging with the local tech and entrepreneurial scene is crucial for understanding the challenges and opportunities that entrepreneurs face, as well as for building meaningful connections. I connect with this community through attending networking events, startup meetups, and participating in online forums and social media groups dedicated to entrepreneurship and innovation. I also make a point to collaborate with local incubators and accelerators, as they are often at the forefront of nurturing startups and fostering growth.
This interaction is important to me because it allows me to stay connected to the real-world needs of entrepreneurs. Listening to their stories, challenges, and successes gives me valuable insights into how we can better shape AnToo to serve them. By being part of this community, I not only stay informed about market trends but also build a network of like-minded individuals who share the same mission empowering entrepreneurs to succeed.
Q8
Understanding customer needs is crucial. Can you share an effective strategy you've used to connect with your customers?
Understanding customer needs is at the core of what we do at Antoo. One of the most effective strategies I’ve used is conducting direct, in-depth interviews with our early users. By asking detailed questions about their pain points, challenges in finding co-founders, and what features they would find most helpful, we’ve been able to refine our platform to better meet their needs.
We also created a feedback loop through surveys and user testing, allowing us to continually adapt the product based on real user experiences. This ongoing dialogue has not only helped us build a more intuitive and relevant platform but also fostered trust with our users, making them feel like active participants in AnToo’s development.
Listening closely to our customers has allowed us to shape AnToo into a tool that truly addresses the problems entrepreneurs face, rather than just assuming what they need. It’s a strategy that ensures we are always aligned with our users and responsive to their evolving demands.
Q9
Being part of La French Tech is a unique experience. How has this community influenced your journey as an entrepreneur in Thailand?
Although I’m not officially part of La French Tech, its impact is undeniable. The visibility of their initiatives and their commitment to fostering innovation have been a source of inspiration. Their ability to connect entrepreneurs, investors, and tech enthusiasts within a supportive ecosystem has shaped my perspective on what a thriving entrepreneurial community looks like.
Observing their efforts has reinforced the importance of collaboration and shared resources in building successful startups. It’s also motivated me to focus on how Antoo can create similar value by connecting entrepreneurs with the right co-founders and fostering a strong, supportive network around them.
La French Tech's approach has influenced my vision for Antoo as more than just a platform it’s a hub for connection, collaboration, and growth within the entrepreneurial world.
Q10
Looking ahead, what direction do you see the tech industry in Thailand taking?
The tech industry in Thailand is poised for significant growth, with a strong focus on digital transformation and innovation. Sectors like fintech, e-commerce, and health tech are rapidly expanding, driven by both government initiatives and a young, tech-savvy population. Thailand 4.0, the government’s push toward a knowledge-based economy, is creating opportunities for startups to thrive in areas like smart cities, green tech, and AI.
I also see a growing emphasis on entrepreneurship and collaboration, with more incubators, accelerators, and co-working spaces emerging. This trend highlights the importance of platforms like Antoo, which can help entrepreneurs form strong, aligned teams to tackle these opportunities effectively.
Looking ahead, I believe Thailand’s tech ecosystem will continue to integrate more globally, attracting international investors and fostering cross-border collaboration, making it an increasingly attractive hub for innovation.
Q11
What guidance would you offer to entrepreneurs venturing into the Thai market?
Entering the Thai market requires a combination of patience, adaptability, and a deep understanding of the local culture. Building trust is essential, as relationships and personal connections play a significant role in business. Take the time to network, attend local events, and collaborate with Thai entrepreneurs to gain insights into the market’s unique dynamics.
Start small and test your product or service early to gather feedback and ensure it meets local needs. Understanding the regulatory environment and identifying the right partners, such as incubators or accelerators, can also help navigate the initial stages more smoothly.
Finally, stay open to learning from the market and be prepared to adapt your approach. The Thai entrepreneurial ecosystem is growing rapidly, and being flexible will allow you to align with the opportunities and challenges that come your way.