Startup of the Day - MixCommerce

The company of the day is MixCommerce, based in France. MixCommerce is a eCommerce provider for brands. You will find below an interview with Philippe Rodriguez, CEO of MixCommerce. All the best to them and congrats for being the startup of the day!

Website: www.mixcommerce.com.

Interview with Philippe Rodriguez, CEO MixCommerce

Who are you?

Philippe Rodriguez, CEO MixCommerce.

How do you feel being the most promising ‘company of the day’ per Microsoft?

Honored.

What did you do before creating your company?

I have been working in several software companies, one was dedicated to ecommerce and another one was… Microsoft where I have been working for 8 years.

How did you get the idea? What s the genesis?

Running interviews with brands in France, I have considered that a significant need was emerging around their incapacity to achieve their goals in eCommerce. Most of them were stuck in too many troubles with too many partners. The idea of having a dedicated partner taking care of the whole value chain commissioned on sales and co-investing with the brand was a natural solution to their needs.

What do you sell? What is your company’s mission?

We are a eCommerce provider for brands. As a dedicated partner, MixCommerce takes all aspects of the ecommerce value chain: from marketing, to logistics including the technologic side. We leverage our expertise and platform to help brands success in eCommerce. In a way we become, into a multiannual agreement, their official internet store. MixCommerce is operating their flagship store on the internet.

What is your market?

Major brands that retail their own products in Europe.

Any clients? References? Partners?

We have already 10 brands:

Kookai ( VIVARTE)

AIGLE International

LE TANNEUR

RIP CURL Europe, we have build myripcurlshop.com

NEWMAN

LE JACQUARD Français

ALAIN FIGARET

HOM ( Groupe Triumph International)

COMPAGNIE DES PETITS

More than 40 brands are currently considering our platform of services to launch ( or relaunch) their ecommerce activities in Europe. We have the chance to partner with companies with great expertise:

Logistics : CrossLog

Technology : Itelios

Marketing/Affiliation : TradeDoubler

Funding history? VCs? BA?

3 rounds of fundings, first with BA for 1M€, then with a family office close to the owners of Chanel for 3M€, then a last round in may 2009 with INNOVACOM ( France Telecom ) and X-Ange ( La poste ) for 5,5M€

Growth? Internationalization?

We are growing sharply.

How many employees do you have? How many developers?

We have currently 24 people, and we have 10 developers outsourced in a partner software house.

Are you hiring? If yes, what? Where?

We hire in France, we plan to be 50 next year.

Which platform are you building on? Why?

Full Microsoft platform! Windows Server, SQL Server, Commerce Server, BizTalk Server…

Do you have any Software IP? Is there something that you’re the only one to do on the market?

Our platform of ecommerce is our major software IP. This platform is now a major installation of Commerce server.

Who’s your role model?

GSI Commerce in the US are a company that does similar activities with similar customers/partners.

Where do you see opportunities today in the Software/internet areas?

eCommerce in Europe still have a bright future : professionalization and expertise have still to progress to provide the full promise of eCommerce.

Looking for funding? If yes, how much?

No more funding at this stage.

What about the BizSpark Program? What do you think? Are you going to join? Why?

BizSpark program is helpful for entrepreneurs that want to get quick in the market, the help with connections with fundings, and great technology expertise is key to success. We are really amazed by the dedication of Microsoft to help start-up in different areas and different markets.

Any advice to young Software entrepreneurs?

Fire and then Aim. Start by doing something to create value for your customers and then listen to their feedbacks. They may be sometimes tough, sometimes difficult to listen but they always help to progress quickly and in the right direction.