Laurent is a serial entrepreneur, VC and leader specializing in the future of finance and payment through emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, digital assets and blockchain. He has been focusing on blockchain innovation and the crypto-economy since 2016.
Laurent advises organizations, financial institutions and global organizations faced with technology disruption. Laurent helps design new operating models, build products and services based on digital assets and AI transformation, financial technologies and decentralized infrastructure. Laurent was previously Leader of the Blockchain and Digital Assets practice of Deloitte Canada, where he led Deloitte’s global Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) efforts, and Leader of the Emerging Technologies practice at KPMG Canada.
With a unique combination of business, scientific and technical skills, and 25 years of experience leading technology companies in Canada, the United States and Europe as a founder and CEO, Laurent has anchored himself as an early investor and strategic advisor.
Laurent holds a joint major in Computer Sciences and Mathematics from McGill University. He is a member of the Quebec Regulator's Technology & Innovation Advisory Committee and a member of the Information Technology Advisory Committee of McGill School of Continuing Education.
Today, Laurent is an international thought leader on emerging technologies. He is a regular speaker on the subject of fintech, transformation of the financial infrastructure, blockchain innovation and AI.
Publications
- Libra; Shaping the Evolution of Financial Infrastructure (2020 / Deloitte Global) http://bit.ly/LibraPOV
- Economic Development Impact of Mining Cryptoassets (2018 / Hydro Quebec-KPMG)
- Impact of AI on the Financial Services Sector (2017 / Finance Montreal-KPMG)
General Management
- Attracted and led teams, spanning multiple countries in sales, product, finance and marketing
- Created strategic partnerships, closed M&A deals, managed restructuring and integration
- Raised multiple rounds of funding
Strategy, Marketing & Sales
- Business model design, go-to-market strategy, monetization
- Sales and marketing strategy and organization architecture
- Partner and customer account strategy and engagement
Product, Research & Development
- Led R&D teams from inception to delivery
- Algorithm design and software architecture
- Product design, positioning, and launch