Francis Lelong is a French entrepreneur born in 1973, renowned for his significant contributions to the fields of e-commerce and technology in France. A graduate of the École de Management de Lyon (EM Lyon) in 1998, he began his career in consulting at Accenture before quickly turning to entrepreneurship, driven by his passion for innovation and new technologies.

His entrepreneurial journey began in 1999 with the co-founding of Blackorange, a company that rapidly became one of the top 15 e-commerce businesses in France by 2001. Subsequently, Francis Lelong launched Sarenza.com, which became the leading online shoe retailer in France and Europe. He also co-led the music streaming platform Qobuz before founding Alegria.group, a French leader in training and deploying AI, automation, and NoCode solutions.

Francis Lelong has been a pioneer in the fields of AI, automation, and NoCode in France, introducing these concepts through Alegria.group. NoCode is a technological approach that enables businesses to create and manage digital services without requiring programming skills. Originating from the North American tech ecosystem, this model allows companies of all sizes to easily access digital applications for their digitization needs. When combined with generative AI and automation, these technologies open up new skill sets for businesses to leverage. Alegria.group continuously monitors global digital tools and helps individuals and companies adopt and implement them in their operations.

Francis Lelong has highlighted the importance of flexibility for startups and traditional businesses, emphasizing the impact of generative AI, automation, and NoCode on fostering innovation and driving rapid growth. In just 18 months, he introduced Artificial Intelligence to over 50,000 people!

Additionally, Francis Lelong places great importance on integrating diversity, inclusion, and accessibility into his companies. Aware of the challenges facing his generation and future ones, he strives to find meaning in his entrepreneurial actions. Recognizing the underrepresentation of women in development roles and as startup founders, he is committed to avoiding these missteps in the fields of AI, automation, and NoCode, starting with a blank slate to proactively make a difference in these areas.

Beyond his entrepreneurial ventures, Francis Lelong is also a savvy investor and a respected mentor. He actively participates in various mentorship and incubation programs, sharing his experience and knowledge with young entrepreneurs. His dedication to innovation and the development of technology-driven businesses has earned him recognition from his peers and notable influence in the field of entrepreneurship in France.