Eleonore Crespo: Pioneering Success in Tech with Pigment
Eleonore Crespo, co-founder of Pigment, launched the tech startup in 2019, focusing on financial planning. The company is thriving, with annual earnings nearing €100 million, of which 60% comes from the United States. In a recent interview, Crespo reflected on her journey and the success of Pigment.
A Clear Vision from the Start
Crespo always knew she wanted to own a business but recognized the importance of gaining experience first. Her time at Google taught her about the challenges of planning and decision-making on a large scale, sparking the idea for Pigment. Later, while at Index Ventures, she learned from some of the best in the field, further preparing her to co-found Pigment with Romain Niccoli.
Creating a Unique Product
The vision for Pigment was to design an AI platform that customers would genuinely find useful, turning planning into a strategic advantage. Crespo is proud of the impact they’ve made, collaborating with major companies like Unilever, Siemens, Uber, and Anthropic. The team continues to innovate, expanding the product’s capabilities to meet the evolving needs of businesses.
Competing with the Giants
When discussing competition against American tech giants, Crespo emphasized that success in tech isn’t about nationality. Instead, it’s about creating effective products. From the start, the focus at Pigment has been on product innovation and user experience, essential in the planning sector. The company also invested early in North America, building a local team to support growth in their largest market.
Breaking Barriers for Women in Tech
Crespo stands out as one of the few female leaders in the French tech landscape. She credits her success to supportive colleagues who encouraged her growth as a leader. She acknowledges the barriers women face in tech, noting that the issue isn’t a lack of talent but rather underrepresentation at various levels. To truly change the dynamics in leadership, systemic changes are necessary, she argues.
Inspiring Future Generations
While Crespo doesn’t view herself as a traditional role model, she hopes her journey can inspire others to pursue careers in tech and leadership. She recognizes the importance of representation and believes that a more diverse ecosystem in tech will ultimately strengthen the industry.
Eleonore Crespo’s story is a testament to innovation, resilience, and the potential for growth in the tech industry, paving the way for future generations.
