Etienne Variot

Etienne Variot is the Co-Founder and CEO of Rize, a tech startup based in Paris, France. Prior to launching Rize, Etienne spent two years as a member of Entrepreneur First, a tech entrepreneurship programme based out of Station F. There, they served as an aspiring CEO and PA3.

Before their time at Entrepreneur First, Etienne spent over three years working in strategy and finance for Groupe Casino, a French multinational corporation. There, they were responsible for leading group-level projects, monitoring performance, and assessing investments and divestments.

Etienne also spent time as an advisor for Luxinnovation GIE, where they provided due diligence for projects ranging from start-ups to large groups in any sector. Their responsibilities included tailoring advisory services, financial road-mapping, IP management, partnership development, and legal structuring.

Etienne began their career in private equity as an analyst for Argos Soditic. Etienne then spent a year as a fund of funds analyst for the European Investment Fund before taking on a marketing analyst role for Renault and Renault Samsung Motors.

Etienne Variot has a Diplôme d'Ingénieur (M.Eng.) from École Polytechnique in Advanced Sciences, Economics & Innovation, as well as an Industrial Systems, Manufacture and Management Master of Philosophy (MPhil) from University of Cambridge in Operation and Strategic Management. Etienne also has a Certificate in International Management from École des Ponts Business School in Accounting, Finance & Strategy, and a Diplôme d'Ingénieur (M.Eng.) from Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées in Innovation & Industrial Engineering. Finally, they have a Mathematics, Physics & Technologies certification from Classe préparatoires.

Some direct reports include Samuel Collin - Co-Founder & CPO, Skander Mejdi - Lead Developer, and Fanny Pignères - Sales Lead.