Joaquim MARTIN (TBS 2020), Co-Founder of the start-up BforLink

If uncertainty is clearly running high, some people are not scared to offer new tools during this unprecedented time. This is true of Joaquim Martin (TBS 2020), Director and Co-Founder of the start-up "BforLink", a new company located in the Canton of Cazères, in the Haute-Garonne department (France).

bforlink :  Facilite purchasing for professionals and associations

"We have been working on this project for the last two years and inspite of lockdown, we have launched our platform" he explains. "Its purpose is to facilitate the everyday actions of professionals, independent workers, public entities and associations.

In very concrete terms, by signing up to our platform, they join our community and state their needs for products and services. We do the research and negotiation, then provide a choice of several suppliers who fulfill their initial requirements. Our members have really taken onbord the advantages of being part of this community in order to get good prices while staying independent and above all, freeing up time to concentrate on their core business. They stay in total charge of their requests and decisions. We suggest, they choose.

It is a mutual, externally sourced procurement service. Moreover, our customers can follow all their requests on their account, to see how much progress and how many savings are made. We provide made-to-measure solutions. Today, some of our customers externalize all their needs to BforLink."

This is a pioneering challenge for a start-up that has chosen a rural location : "We have been living in the Cazères area for many years and we put the emphasis on the quality of life. We were able to travel over France and abroad to meet potential members and suppliers, nevertheless the countryside offers many advantages and is a real element of strength. Some suppliers are set up locally, as well as some interesting businesses and associations. It is important to highlight their value. Moreover, we invite any supplier who is interested to come and sign up and propose their services. It is their chance to gain visibility and to be consulted."