Laurent VAN SOEN

Doctorate in Financial and Economic Analysis, Laurent Van Soen, executive with extensive experience in cabinet positions within the French government, also holds an American MBA spending a significant part of his career in New York City. Focused on private equity, lobbying, and business development, Van Soen has served the majority of his career in both national and international economic development.

Nowadays he is the board member of Spark Labs Etas Unis. Spark Labs is a coworking incubator for tech & media companies in New York City.

In 2011, he became CEO of Entreprise Rhône Alpes International (ERAI), a worldwide organization supporting both Rhône Alpes and French companies with their internationalization strategy. During his time with ERAI, he has been responsible for an unprecedented expansion of the network through strategic partnerships.

Previously, Van Soen was Director for Europe and International Relations and Cooperation at the Rhône-Alpes regional council.

From 2000-2006, Laurent was the Chief Economic Advisor for the French Embassy in New York City, co-authoring S’implanter aux États-Unis (Expanding to the U.S.)

From 1994, he managed a consulting firm, working in the field of development and planning of economic zones. From 1997 to 2000, he was the head of the Dominique Voynet’s cabinet, Minister of Spatial Planning and Environment.

After working in 1991 for Alain Richard, a leading member of the finance and budget commission at the French House of Representatives, he worked as a counselor for Prime Minister Pierre Bérégovoy.

Laurent Van Soen presently resides in Lyon and New York