DC: Can you introduce yourself and tell us a little about your background?
Jeanne de Pellegars: My name is Jeanne de Pellegars, I am the programme director at WILLA. I joined the association just over two years ago, after spending three years in Tunisia working for an incubator dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs in the Tunisian cultural and creative scene. I had the opportunity to launch numerous entrepreneur support programmes in several countries. Today, I devote my energy to supporting female entrepreneurs for a more equal world.
DC: What does your day-to-day work at WILLA entail?
Jeanne d. P.: I started out accompanying entrepreneurs in our acceleration programmes, and last year I took over as programme director for the association. Today, my role is primarily to ensure that our support programmes are of the highest quality, while developing new initiatives that meet the needs of our entrepreneurs and WILLA's strategy.
We support entrepreneurs in the first three years of their project: from launch (turning an idea into action) over acceleration (testing their proposal and launching on the market) to growth to scale their model and amplify their impact.
I also assist them with financing issues, be it fundraising, honour loans or innovation grants. I particularly enjoy this role because it allows me to listen, stimulate creativity and make a concrete contribution to the success of women entrepreneurs.
DC: How has WILLA evolved over the years, in terms of support but above all in terms of technological developments?
Jeanne d. P.: Since its creation 20 years ago, WILLA has evolved considerably to remain as close as possible to the needs of women entrepreneurs and society. In its early days, the association focused mainly on incubating projects, offering individualised support to women starting their own businesses.
Our programmes focus closely on entrepreneurial mindset: the ability to make decisions, negotiate, pitch, build a team and lead. We support female entrepreneurs in identifying their strengths, overcoming imposter syndrome and adopting a confident leadership style.
To do this, we offer a variety of formats that create a safe and stimulating environment where everyone can test their ideas, make mistakes, progress and feel confident in their role as a leader. The idea is that learning should not only be technical, but also deeply personal, so that every entrepreneur leaves with confidence and clarity about her project and herself.
How do you support founders on the subject of financing and fundraising preparation?
Jeanne d. P.: In 2022, only 2% of funds raised were raised by 100% female teams. To reverse this trend, two years ago we launched the WILLA Seed programme, a course dedicated to female start-up founders who want to raise between €300,000 and €1.5 million in dilutive funding.
In concrete terms, this programme trains women in the entire fundraising process: strategy, legal aspects, and preparation of the tools needed to convince investors. We also organise meetings with potential future investors to facilitate networking and create concrete opportunities to finance their growth.
DC: What are the signs that a start-up is ‘ready’ to begin the financing process?
Jeanne d. P.: For an initial fundraising round, whether pre-seed or seed, there are several key indicators that a start-up is ready:
In short, investors need to be shown that the project is solid, that the team knows its territory and that it is ready to grow in a structured manner.
DC: Last year, you incorporated a module dedicated to data rooms led by our CEO, Fiona Fauvel. We thank you for that. What were the reasons for that, and what feedback have you received from founders?
Jeanne d. P.: We incorporated this module into the programme because preparing data rooms is often a challenge for founders, even though it is key to the financing process. The aim was to help them structure their documents, track their indicators and anticipate investors' requests. The feedback has been very positive: they have gained confidence, organisation and clarity, and feel better equipped to tackle fundraising.
DC: What advice would you give to founders entering their first year of entrepreneurship?
Jeanne d. P.: Firstly, do not underestimate the importance of networking: entrepreneurship can be a lonely journey, but surrounding yourself with the right people opens doors, increases efficiency, and provides valuable support in times of doubt.
Another important point that we often see is accepting that you cannot control everything. It is normal not to have all the answers. Knowing how to delegate, ask for help, and learn continuously is a strength, not a weakness. No one succeeds alone.
And finally: to not have any regrets, you have to dare! Our main obstacle is often ourselves. Ask yourself: ‘What do I really have to lose?’ If you don't dare, you'll never know what you could have achieved, and you could miss out on an extraordinary adventure.
DC: And what about those preparing for their first round of funding or seeking to increase their business maturity?
Jeanne d. P.:
1. Prepare a solid dossier: the preparation phase is often the most decisive. The aim is to put together a comprehensive, well-structured dossier to convince investors: definition of the fundraising project, pitch deck, financial business plan, pitch, preparation of due diligence questions, identification of other sources of funding, etc. A poorly prepared dossier can scare off an investor before the first meeting even takes place.
DC: Do you keep in touch with the incubatees who have left the programme?
Jeanne d. P.: One of the things we strongly encourage our founders to do is to build a network, and WILLA is just that. After our support programmes, we invite entrepreneurs to join our alumni community, which now has over 500 members.
In my opinion, our ‘superpower’ lies in this community: years after completing the programme, our alumni remain committed to advising and supporting new female entrepreneurs. Every day, I witness a true entrepreneurial sisterhood, where mutual support and shared experience make all the difference.
DC: What final message would you like to share with the WILLA community and future founders?
Jeanne d. P.: To all women who are hesitant or doubtful, know that your uniqueness is a treasure, and that the entrepreneurial world needs your ideas, your energy, and your vision. Dare to believe in yourself, in your abilities, and in the value of what you can contribute. Remember that you are not alone. Together, we can create a more supportive and equal ecosystem, where everyone can find their place and flourish.