Alexis Hespelle: From SKEMA to Berkeley – The Journey of a Student-Turned-Entrepreneur!

Alexis, can you tell us how you joined SKEMA and what led you towards entrepreneurship?

Before SKEMA, my background was quite far from business. I graduated from the Polytechnic University of Valenciennes with a bachelor’s degree in science, having initially pursued audiovisual and scientific studies. My strong interest in technology quickly made me realise that I preferred working in management rather than purely technical roles. That’s why I transitioned into business studies, first earning a bachelor’s degree in management before joining SKEMA’s Sophia Antipolis campus.

Did you already have a clear career plan when you joined SKEMA?

Yes, from day one at SKEMA, I had a well-defined vision. On my career roadmap, I had already set my sights on Berkeley and a future in tech—ideally at Google. Every step I took was geared towards this goal. My gap year was split into two strategic internships: six months at Samsung, followed by six months at Google.

You spent a year at Berkeley. How did that experience shape your journey?

It was a real game-changer! The Silicon Valley mindset hits you as soon as you arrive—everything revolves around innovation and entrepreneurship. I took part in an intensive Entrepreneurship & Innovation programme, where I had the privilege of learning from Naeem Zafar, a renowned expert who taught us the art of storytelling and how to pitch effectively to investors.

Berkeley was also where I partnered with Dan Castiel, whom I had met a few months earlier in Brazil. We shared the same passion for technology and began brainstorming ideas together.

Beyond customer interactions, multiple AI agents analyse conversations and shopping journeys in real time, delivering valuable insights to brands.

Tell us about Humind, the startup you co-founded with Dan Castiel, your fellow SKEMA graduate.

Dan and I identified a major pain point in e-commerce. The online shopping experience has remained largely unchanged for over a decade. Customers still spend hours searching for products, adjusting filters, and comparing different options—yet the average online conversion rate stagnates at just 2%, compared to 40% in physical stores. The difference is staggering!

That’s where Humind comes in. Our solution is an advanced conversational AI that replaces traditional chatbots. Unlike older models based on predefined scripts, our AI is powered by autonomous agents that can understand, reason, and take human-like actions. It works as a real sales advisor, adapting to each visitor and recommending products just as a salesperson would in a physical store.

Beyond customer interactions, multiple AI agents analyse conversations and shopping journeys in real time, delivering valuable insights to brands.

How do businesses integrate Humind into their operations?

Humind is seamlessly integrated into e-commerce websites via Shopify and other CMS platforms. It helps customers by suggesting products tailored to their real needs, enhancing their shopping experience.

On the business side, brands gain access to a dedicated platform where Humind continuously analyses customer interactions, identifies emerging trends, and anticipates consumer expectations. In short, Humind optimises both the shopping experience and data-driven decision-making for retailers. We are already working with several brands, including Puressentiel, and our goal is to provide value across various industries.

What’s next for Humind?

We launched Humind in France in February 2025, and we’ve already secured several clients. In the short term, we plan to recruit two new team members and finalise a funding round for 2025 to accelerate our growth.

But our ambition goes beyond being just an AI shopping assistant. We want to create the first-ever AI-powered colleague for e-commerce brands—an intelligent assistant capable of supporting businesses in their strategic decision-making.

• Explore the MSc Entrepreneurship, Technology & Startup Management
• Discover Humind
• Connect with Alexis Hespelle & Dan Castiel