«IL» stands for «island» and “ÉCO” for “ecological.” Thousands of flyers distributed each year on the island of Martinique amount to tons of paper waste. Alan Abatuci, co-founder of the company ILÉCO, talks to us about his journey, his source of inspiration, current results, and future opportunities. Interview…
What is ILÉCO?
It is a mobile app for smartphones and tablets, available for free download on Android and Apple devices, that lets you view flyers and special offers from stores in Martinique in digital format.
Why a mobile app?
I spent most of my academic career in Martinique studying management and business. Afterward, my girlfriend and I wanted to explore the world. So we moved abroad, specifically to Trois-Rivières, Quebec, where I continued my studies in business administration. After that, I worked in the mobile phone industry. I’m interested in everything related to new technologies. I noticed that in Canada, regardless of age, everyone has a cell phone and an internet connection at home. When I returned to Martinique with an outsider’s perspective, I realized there were opportunities for growth.
How did you come up with the idea to start this startup?
The idea for the startup began to take shape in my mind when I was a student in Quebec. My girlfriend and I were always on the lookout for even the smallest bargain to save some money, and a friend from her class told her that there were websites where you could view flyers with special offers and discount coupons. When I saw how widespread this system was in Quebec, I did some research and found that it was also very advanced in France, but in Martinique and the rest of the French West Indies, it didn’t exist at all. We were still using methods from 20 years ago—mass distribution—without really tapping into mobile marketing or new technologies. When I came back here in 2015, it was to found this startup. I dedicated myself full-time to this project, and at first, it wasn’t always easy. Because change inevitably meets resistance.
Did business leaders respond positively to the proposal?
In 2015, I was the first person in the French West Indies to offer this mobile solution. I found it difficult to approach people with something different that they weren’t familiar with—to offer a product that had never existed before, where you’d be the first to test the market. People wondered what it was, how it worked, and whether it would actually work. In the early days, there was a director who told me: «Martinique's population is aging. No one is going to read our flyers on their phones. Everyone is still attached to good old-fashioned paper.». To these people, I say that their customers are highly adaptable. When I started, there weren’t many listings to put on the app—just two companies. Over time, some companies reached out to us on their own to take part in this new technology. Many companies have realized that’There was a digital transition to be made.
… And what about the people of Martinique?
By the end of the first month, there were already more than 600 people registered on the app. After two years, there is a community of more than 20,000 people, representing roughly 2 million pages read on the app.
I imagine some improvements have been made since 2015?
The app has come a long way in two years. At first, the budget was very limited, and the first version had a very minimalist design. Over time, new features were added, and the company invested in marketing.
What is your vision for ILÉCO's future?
After two years, ILÉCO remains the only company to offer a mobile app that digitizes flyers with such advanced features. The project began in Martinique because I’m from Martinique, but we mustn’t forget that the companies here are part of groups that also operate in Guadeloupe and French Guiana. The bulk of the work is already done; the platform is in place and we’ve established contact. The idea is to roll out ILÉCO across a larger geographic area.
Mariska Desmarquis
Email: contact@momentum-media.fr
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