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An alumnus opens Paris padel: The first centre dedicated to this sport located in Paris
Romain Gabrielli (SKEMA 2023), a graduate of SKEMA Business School’s Grande Ecole programme and MSc in International Business, is the mastermind behind Paris Padel, a pioneering facility that allows individuals and companies to rent padel courts within Paris city limits—a sport rapidly growing in popularity across France.
Romain, you are a recent SKEMA graduate. Could you tell us about your academic journey and professional experiences?
I pursued the Grande Ecole programme at SKEMA, where I had the opportunity to spend time at the Belo Horizonte campus and participate in an exchange with Stellenbosch University. Throughout my journey, I had the chance to work with major international companies, allowing me to develop strong expertise in data analysis and development strategy. As a Digital Marketing Strategy Analyst at Dassault Systèmes from January to June 2021, I led online marketing campaigns, optimised SEO/SEA performance, and more. At L’Oréal, from July to December 2021, I analysed the performance of 906 stores via PowerBI and managed the implementation of new product lines. More recently, as a Business Development Analyst at LVMH Perfumes & Cosmetics, from July to December 2023, I was responsible for sales performance analysis for Givenchy and Kenzo Fragrances, consolidating key data for reporting and monitoring product launches, contributing to an annual turnover of over €100 million.
Romain, you also created Paris Padel, a structure dedicated to promoting padel in Paris. Could you tell us more about this initiative and what motivated you to launch it?
I founded Paris Padel with the aim of promoting and developing padel in Paris. This sport is booming, and I wanted to create a space where enthusiasts, whether beginners or experienced players, could come together, play, and progress. My goal was to make the sport more accessible by organising events, tournaments, and introductory sessions, while fostering an active community around this discipline. This initiative was born from my own passion for padel and my desire to contribute to its growth in France.
What is the concept you are developing with Paris Padel?
Paris Padel is the first centre dedicated to this sport within Paris city limits. The aim is to allow everyone to come, rent a racket and balls via a vending machine. We also provide beverages and food items for players. Our first centre is located in the 20th arrondissement of Paris, but we are looking to expand in the Paris region and possibly into other regions as well!
