Supply chain, project management, management, retail... Vincent DUCASSE, an Arts et Métiers engineering graduate Arts et Métiers the Li212 class, gained a range of professional experience before embarking on his entrepreneurial journey. He shares his story with us and hopes to inspire other students and young engineers to take the plunge.
What training have you completed?
“After completing a preparatory class in Toulouse, I chose to enroll in the Grande Ecole Engineering Programme for my first and second years at the Arts et Métiers campus Arts et Métiers Lille. I then transferred to the Aix-en-Provence campus to specialize in ‘large-scale project management’ as part of my undergraduate program. Finally, I returned to Lille for my final semester to complete my End-of-Study Internship (SFE) in Supply Chain at Auchan Retail—a fantastic opportunity I was able to secure thanks to the Gadz’Arts network. This experience led to my immediate hiring for a three-year period, in two different roles.”
What has your career path been like since you graduated with your engineering degree in 2016?
After three years at Auchan Retail, I wanted to work in smaller organizations and take on management responsibilities. I was then recruited by Cubyn to work in e-commerce logistics as a customer service manager. My engineering expertise proved very useful in this role, particularly when it came to structuring processes for complex issues. I then moved to a more "tech" position where I joined the product teams: we defined the needs of e-merchants using the Cubyn solution and the best way to meet them. I held this position until July 2022, when I left the company to start a startup with a colleague."
How did you come up with the idea of starting your own business?
" The idea of starting a business had been on my mind for a while, but the opportunity really presented itself when I met a colleague who was on the same wavelength as me, and thanks to a company policy that encouraged entrepreneurship. So my colleague Max (who graduated from business school) and I left our respective jobs to start our own business together. At that point, we didn't have a specific idea in mind, but we wanted to leverage our expertise in supply chain, e-commerce, and retail while working on a project with impact. "
Tell us about your company, Nopli.
" We noticed a major boom in the secondhand sector and wondered how we could enable brands to take advantage of this secondhand market in terms of business, product and customer understanding, and brand image. We started by talking to consumers and brands to understand their expectations and needs. Following this step, we created Nopli. A solution that allows brands to offer a second-hand platform, directly on their website, between individuals. The first orders were placed in October 2022, and we are continuing to grow rapidly! If everything goes as planned, our goal is to expand the team and take advantage of the Gadz'Arts network , of course! We are also opening an internship position for early July! Gadz'Arts students in SFE are welcome to apply.
What qualities and skills acquired in engineering have you been able to put to good use in this new experience?
" First of all, problem-solving skills. I think that's really the most important skill for an engineer: being able to understand a problem and come up with a solution based on figures, not just intuition. Next, I would say the ability to work in a team. I developed this skill when I was a student and a member of the Grandes UAI team. We organized an inter-campus sports tournament involving more than 1,000 students. It was a truly enriching experience! "
What advice would you give to young people who are hesitant to start their own business?
" Don't hesitate to take the plunge if you have ideas! In France, we are fortunate to have access to significant support and safety nets. Furthermore, I feel that a reindustrialization policy is beginning to take shape, and Gadz'Arts engineers have strong legitimacy in this area . "
