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Lombard Odier becomes a patron of GENILEM to support entrepreneurial innovation
Lombard Odier, a leading private bank for entrepreneurs and their families, will become a patron of GENILEM, an association that provides guidance to business start-ups in French-speaking Switzerland. Through this partnership, the Bank, represented by its offices in Geneva and Lausanne, aims to encourage and support innovation in the region. It also fosters the creation of local businesses, which contribute to the richness and dynamism of Switzerland’s economic fabric.
A non-profit organisation, GENILEM’s mission is to help entrepreneurs in the cantons of Vaud and Geneva to build viable, innovative and responsible companies in every sector. As a certified B Corp™ since 2019 with a firm commitment to sustainability, Lombard Odier aims to share its expertise and values with these new enterprises, whose business models are often orientated towards creating a more circular and inclusive economy.
Frédéric Praz, Head of the Swiss international team in Geneva, comments: “Our identity and values are naturally in tune with the entrepreneurial segment. Being patrons of this association therefore allows us to work with business start-ups in the GENILEM network and to share the benefit of our expertise. Professional guidance is of key importance from the start and enables optimal preparation for all stages in a company’s lifecycle, from creation to succession.”
Stéphane Pedraja, Head of the Lausanne, Vevey, Fribourg and Verbier offices, comments: “As a leading private bank for entrepreneurs, we look forward to joining GENILEM’s ecosystem. We are excited to work with future entrepreneurs in French-speaking Switzerland in the development of innovative and responsible companies. Joining GENILEM’s network also allows us to get closer to tomorrow’s entrepreneurs and share their challenges and ambitions.”
The Geneva and Lausanne offices are represented by Patrice Gras and Nicole Conrad, who are in charge of initiatives dedicated to entrepreneurs. Their role will be to sit on various committees dealing with project selection and participate in GENILEM events. They will share their expertise in governance, guiding companies and structuring wealth.
David Narr, Director of GENILEM, comments: “We are very happy to welcome Lombard Odier to our network of patrons. Their expertise will provide a real advantage for the entrepreneurs of tomorrow, whose businesses we help accelerate. The support of the first private bank to be certified B Corp™ is also very meaningful for us in terms of shared values. They are completely in tune with the spirit of GENILEM, and even more so with that of the start-up founders. It is the latter who battle to develop their companies every day, responding to the problems our society currently faces.”
GENILEM offers a three-year acceleration programme to young companies with high potential. It provides them with independent coaching, management tools, a network, increased visibility, advice from external specialists and dedicated training sessions. GENILEM is short for “Génération Innovation Lémanique”. It was founded in 1995 by Armand Lombard and Anne Southam-Aulas in association with the cantons, Chambers of Commerce and the Cantonal Banks of Vaud and Geneva. Since its establishment, GENILEM has guided over 300 new companies during the first three years of their growth, thereby creating over 3,000 jobs.
Important information
This media release has been prepared by Bank Lombard Odier & Co Ltd, a bank and securities dealer authorised and regulated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) (hereinafter "Lombard Odier"). It is not intended for distribution, publication, or use in any jurisdiction where such distribution, publication, or use would be unlawful, nor is it aimed at any person or entity to whom it would be unlawful to address such a document. This media release is provided for information purposes only. It does not constitute an offer or a recommendation to enter into a relationship with Lombard Odier, nor to subscribe to, purchase, sell or hold any security or financial instrument.
This document may not be reproduced (in whole or in part), transmitted, modified, or used for any public or commercial purpose without the prior written permission of Lombard Odier.
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