NKM, Converting Paris Politicians to the Digital Age

NKM is running for mayor of Paris. Her brother Pierre sold Priceminister, the eCommerce startup he founded, to Rakuten. NKM has the same digital-age spirit as her brother and has plans to turn Paris into a world-renowned startup city. NKM wants to add a bit of London flavor to Paris and is taking a cue from outstanding London mayor Boris Johnson. Here at Rude Baguette, France’s startup blog, you read the whole glowing story.

NKM is clearly the best candidate as next mayor of Paris. Paris entrepreneurs, small business owners and supporters of a more friendly Paris tourist experience, know there is no second choice. Hidalgo socialism will only help turn Paris into a European anachronism unable to compete with Germany and Britain.

With that in mind, here’s why I’m coming out in favor of NKM:

1) She’s got entrepreneurship in her blood

You may already be familiar with Nathalie’s brother, Pierre. If not, you’re most certainly familiar with Priceminister, the eCommerce startup he founded which was sold to Rakuten in 2010. A vote for Nathalie is not a vote for Pierre, but having an entrepreneur in the family desensitizes you to things that politicians often get hung up on – risk, the difference between a “patron” and an entrepreneur, etc. I want to know that when a politician makes a decision around SMBs & Venture Capital, they are making it knowing they will have to look someone in the eye over dinner who is directly affected by their decision.

2) She’s built up a reputation for converting politicians to Digital

As NKM tells it, one of her previous accomplishments includes forcing politicians to sit down for an afternoon and learn how Twitter & Facebook are where their constituents are, and how being active on social networks will help them get re-elected – many of France’s most socially-active politicians are tweeting away thanks to NKM. Take that as you may.

More interesting is her intent to bring the same level of digital savvy to City Hall – a dedicated team to help startups, she wants Paris to become a “City as a Service,” a radically different perception than that of today: looking to startups to solve problems that the city has, beta-testing solutions within the City Hall & massively overhauling the outdated infrastructure used by public servants in Paris.