A passion for the digital world and an academic background in artificial intelligence
My name is Cyril Reinhard, and for over 30 years I’ve been developing a passion for the digital world. Over the course of my career, I’ve developed solid expertise working alongside global industry leaders such as Adobe, Acquia, Hootsuite, Contentful and Sitecore.
It all started with my academic background. I graduated with a degree in computer engineering, specializing in artificial intelligence. My interest in machine learning and natural language processing led me to deepen my knowledge by obtaining a DEA in natural language recognition. I even went so far as to start a PhD in this field. These in-depth studies enabled me to develop a solid understanding of emerging technologies and their application.

My first life as an entrepreneur
After four years of professional experience, I decided to become an entrepreneur. My path has not been without its difficulties, but I’ve always been able to pick myself up. I have created or co-created several companies, including Sasdi, C-Log, Sowedoo, Idopic and Hot Spot You. As an entrepreneur, I’ve developed a variety of skills, learned to manage stress and risk, lead teams and face the challenges and opportunities of growth in a constantly changing environment.

My second life: experience with digital leaders
I was lucky enough to join Adobe after the acquisition of Sowedoo, a company specialized in the world of PDF and creator of Easy PDF Creator, one of the first PDF converters. This opportunity paved the way for new adventures with CMS (Content Management System) publishers and digital experience platforms (DXP). I’ve also worked with other industry leaders such as Acquia, Hootsuite, Contentful and Sitecore. My common goal in all these experiences has been to help companies set up and grow in the French and European markets. I opened the French and then European subsidiary of Acquia, developed the partner strategy for EMEA at Hootsuite, implemented the strategy in France and Benelux at Contentful, and finally, contributed to the growth of Sitecore in France. These key roles in business development and strategic partnerships gave me a global vision of the CMS / DXP market and enabled the editors to accelerate their growth and be more efficient.

Knowing how to give, Commitment to education and mentoring startups
Beyond my professional career, I had the pleasure of teaching and managing the MTI specialization at EPITA for 15 years, from 2002 to 2017. These years were enriching and gave me a real rejuvenation. I was able to pass on my knowledge and collaborate with young, creative and innovative minds who were sometimes reinventing the digital world. I’ve always been keen to stimulate innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship, inspiring students to explore their potential and shape their own futures. As a mentor to young startups, I’ve been able to guide them on their entrepreneurial journey, helping them develop their business strategy and overcome obstacles to become even better. For me, it’s essential to give when we’ve received.

For a better world, Commitment to diversity and equality
Promoting diversity and equality is a cause close to my heart. I firmly believe that inclusion and recognition of the value of each individual are essential to fostering innovation, creativity and growth. I have actively supported initiatives to promote gender equality in the digital sector, as an ambassador for JFD since its inception.

For balance, a passion for sport and meditation
To maintain balance in my life, I developed a passion for sport and meditation. I competed in cycling from the age of 12 to 18, which taught me determination, endurance and the joys of success after the effort. Later, I played basketball competitively from the age of 18 to 22, which taught me team spirit and how to manage collective victory or defeat. Sport taught me valuable values such as perseverance, discipline, stress management and effort strategy. At the same time, meditation has become a daily practice for me. I had the opportunity to take part in a 10-day Vipassana course, an experience that taught me to breathe better and refocus to be fully present in the moment. I integrate meditation into my daily routine, whether sitting or walking, on a train, on a plane, at home or in the office.

In conclusion, I’m a digital professional with a passion for innovation, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, education and meditation. My academic background, my experience as an entrepreneur and my collaborations with digital leaders have enabled me to develop in-depth expertise and a global vision of the sector. My goal is to inspire others to explore their potential, embrace entrepreneurship and promote a diverse and inclusive environment to foster innovation and growth.