 Clear your calendar for the ultimate evening of French culture, good food, great wine, and awesome community! The Raleigh French Collective is happening on Thursday, June 23rd, and you’re invited!
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Join us at HQ Raleigh, the city’s downtown startup hub, for an evening that is perfect for Americans, French, and everyone who loves sharing stories and learning about French culture. The event will feature a panel and interview discussion of French entrepreneurs, including Sylvain Dufour of Fotoswipe, Franca Gilbert of Alimentaire Breads, and many more!
After graduating from ENSEEIHT in France with an engineering degree in computer science and applied mathematics, Sylvain moved to California and co-founded Pagoo Inc, a VOIP service, later acquired by RingCentral. He then co-founded 995SOFT, a computer software company which was acquired by InfraWorld a couple years later! More recently, Sylvain served as CEO for Mobigloo LLC, successfully developing and launching over 30 mobile applications and is now working on his third start-up, FotoSwipe! On June 23rd, you'll be able to ask him about all his entrepreneurial projects and his endless energy!
Born in Belgium, Franca immigrated to the US and became citizen in 1982. After graduating from Bucknell University, PA, she entered the US Army. She served as an interpreter in Italy and achieved the rank of captain in the paratroopers of Fort Bragg, NC. She then came to the field of Education and she's now teaching French at Wake Forest.  Aside from her children and husband, Steve, her two greatest passions are French language & food. In 2015, she opened Alimentaire Wholesome Breads Bakery in her home and we'll be lucky to try her great bread on June 23rd!
Jérome was born in Avignon, South East of France. He studied Sociology and spent his summers on youth camps in the US. Here in North Carolina, he met his future wife and decided to immigrate for her. As he already had some experience in restaurants in France he became waiter. Then, he worked in food retail where he met a lot of food service professionals, among whom future friends and partners! He launched Sosta Café in 2006, the first restaurant in Raleigh to propose vegan products and original sandwiches! This June 23rd you can ask Jérome what it takes to run the only French-owned restaurant downtown Raleigh for now 10 years!
Bruno was born in Paris and decided to follow his passion for sports as a career, especially soccer. He was a physical education teacher and a semi-pro soccer player! Raised in the communist working-class town of Garges les Gonesse, a bit further North from Paris, he changed to another system when he emigrated to the US in 1991. After working in restaurant businesses in the triangle, he decided to follow another of his passions: wine! He tried a few Wine & Beer distribution companies and finally decided to open his own Wine shop in Carrboro 9 years ago. Learn about Wine Without Borders on June 23rd!