Forbes Names Two IE Alumni to 30 Under 30 List

Forbes selected two IE University alumni-- Luca Bovone and Edouard Gouin-- for its prestigious 30 Under 30 2020- Europe List published this month.

As founders of their own start-ups, Bovone, 28, and Gouin, 29, represent the entrepreneurial spirit of their alma mater on two different sections of the Forbes listing, Manufacturing/Industry and Arts/Culture.

“It’s a pleasure to be included in a list where many of my role models, like the founders of Instagram and Spotify, have been before me,” said Bovone. “The opportunity to connect with other under 30 innovators is great and can add a lot value, especially as the founder journey can be sometimes lonely.”

30 Under 30 - Europe, Arts and Culture

Gouin, who received his Master in Management in 2014, founded Convelio with his partner Clement Ouizille. An online platform delivering global shipping logistics to the art market, Convelio uses algorithms to offer competitive shipping quotes for moving high-end goods and fine art. Their customers include antique dealers, auction houses, galleries and collectors. In February, the company announced a $10 million Series A financing round led by VC investor Acton Capital.

“This distinction is a great award to all our team that works incredibly hard to bring us where we are - and more particularly in these troubled times. It is also a humbling confirmation that the strategy we have adopted thus far is bringing significant value to the Art Market.”

Gouin said he considers his greatest professional achievement creating a unique culture at Convelio.

“We assembled a group who values teamwork over personal ambition and knows how to keep benevolence at the heart of the company while moving forward as one,” he said, “and it is incredibly satisfying.”

30 Under 30 - Europe, Manufacturing and Industry

Bovone, who received his Master in Digital Business in 2014, is the founder and CEO of Habyt, a co-living provider building sustainable housing by designing homes with smart layouts. Its buildings feature fully furnished apartments, community events and shared spaces. All costs for tenants come in a single bill, making the financial aspect of renting that much easier.

Just after graduation, Bovone worked as one of the first employees of Dropbox in Europe. Now he says he gets a thrill from watching his company grow from an idea to an international success.

“Certainly the fact of leaving a highly paid, highly coveted job in an established brand to bring my own vision to reality,” he said. “Launching Habyt and seeing hundreds of customers across four different countries using the product and services that once were just in my mind gives me the most joy.”