“The student-entrepreneur status really helped me fine-tune my project.”
In 2018, after obtaining his degree from the ESC Pau (Pau business school), Antonin Laurent enrolled in the “Tools” university degree to refine a creation project. LookUp, founded in late 2020, designs its products – ergonomic desk accessories and corporate gifts – as part of a circular economy approach.
Which stages in your training curriculum led you to start your own business project?
Starting my own company was never actually on the cards. As I love sports, I enrolled in the faculty of sports science and technology at the University of Grenoble after obtaining a Baccalaureate in science. Unfortunately, I sustained an injury and had to think of another career choice. I made inquiries at a number of business schools, and I signed up for the Bachelor course at the ESC Pau. This gave me the opportunity to do several internships, all the more so that I did my third year on block release in an SME specialised in office supplies in the area of Pau. This first experience taught me a lot and was a real eye-opener as regards the realities of the world of work. I also made the most of this period to volunteer in several environmental associations; the actions were captivating, but the work conditions were pretty insecure. After making these different observations in the field, I thought to myself – with a certain degree of idealism – that the best solution was to create my own model that reflected my personal beliefs. I attended a conference on how to start a business, and that’s when I discovered the UPPA student-entrepreneur program and the university degree “Tools for taking action” (Outils pour Entreprendre) of the IAE Pau-Bayonne.
How did you build the LookUp project?
The student-entrepreneur status helped me refine my project for two years, from 2018 to 2020. The first step was to present a viable idea to the selection committee. I explained that I wanted to develop products that would improve the posture of people working on laptops, an ergonomic accessory with a low environmental impact. I then worked for several months with a tutor from the entrepreneurial hub to build this future company, brick by brick. It was a bit like a case study. I then took courses on all the issues involved in creating a business: status, business plan, commercial negotiation, taxation, liability insurance for directors, and so on. This learning approach, where practice overrides theory, is really effective. I could feel that I was gradually developing my skills. Two years on I was ready to start out on my own. LookUp was founded on 23 September 2020 at Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Today, our products – laptop stands, covers, desk blotters, mouse pads – are sold in shops like Nature et Découvertes and Boulanger, as well as directly to businesses. They are made from excess materials from industrial productions (cardboard, work, plastic, etc.) and reusing them avoids the energy-intensive recycling stage. LookUp prioritizes a frugal innovation approach.
What words do you spontaneously associate with the UPPA?
Support and open-mindedness.
What advice would you give to a future UPPA student?
I’d tell them to make the most of the amazing ecosystem of the UPPA. For budding creators, it’s a great playground in a high-potential geographic location and an exceptional work environment. The region really appealed to me, so I stayed here, particularly for the work/life balance and to continue to do sports such as trail running, surfing, and triathlon without any constraints.
→Want to find out more about LookUp?
https://www.linkedin.com/company/lookup-france/
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