France FinTech’s Deputy General Manager for Institutional Relations & Crowdfunding joins steering committee to accelerate global harmonization efforts
The Global Equity Crowdfunding Alliance (GECA) is proud to announce that Florence de Maupeou has joined our steering committee as a strategic advisor. This appointment represents a significant milestone in GECA’s mission to create truly borderless equity crowdfunding markets, bringing together one of Europe’s most experienced crowdfunding advocates with our global vision for regulatory harmonization.
A Pioneer in European Crowdfunding Regulation
Florence de Maupeou’s journey in crowdfunding began over a decade ago, positioning her as one of the industry’s true pioneers. With a master’s degree in Social and Solidarity Economy and sociology from a leading business school, she developed her deep understanding of financial inclusion through hands-on field experience across India and Latin America, studying the realities of microcredit as a tool for economic and social development.
In 2010, she entered the alternative finance space at Babyloan, Europe’s first microcredit crowdfunding platform, where she served as Head of Institutional Relations. Under her direction in 2012, the Babyloan networks association was created to carry out advocacy, education, and awareness projects promoting social and solidarity economy principles alongside participatory financing, particularly in schools and colleges.
Her most transformative role began with Financement Participatif France (FPF), where she was involved from the association’s very founding in 2012. Florence played a crucial role in developing the industry’s code of ethics, serving as Secretary General in 2013, then Treasurer in 2014, before taking the permanent position of General Director in December 2014. Under her leadership, FPF grew to represent 150 members across the crowdfunding ecosystem, establishing France as the first country to promulgate dedicated crowdfunding regulations and helping facilitate over €9 billion in cumulative investment with annual flows exceeding €2 billion.
Andrew Field, Head of the GECA Steering Committee, commented: “Florence’s decade-long leadership in building France’s crowdfunding regulatory framework makes her an invaluable addition to our team. Her experience in harmonizing diverse stakeholder interests across 150+ platform members and her success in creating regulatory clarity that enabled billions in investment flows perfectly aligns with GECA’s mission to achieve similar harmonization on a global scale.”
Architect of French Crowdfunding Success
Florence’s leadership at FPF coincided with crowdfunding’s establishment as a major financing tool in France. Her strategic vision encompassed multiple critical areas:
Regulatory Advocacy: She coordinated lobbying efforts that positioned France at the forefront of European crowdfunding regulation, working directly with public authorities and regulators to create frameworks that balanced innovation with investor protection.
Industry Development: Through strategic planning, partnership development, and member coordination, she helped build an ecosystem that attracted international recognition and positioned French crowdfunding platforms for European expansion.
Industry Standards Development: Her foundational work in developing FPF’s code of ethics established best practices that became industry standards, demonstrating her commitment to responsible innovation alongside market growth.
International Positioning: Her institutional relations work established France as a thought leader in European alternative finance discussions, setting the stage for broader harmonization efforts.
Strategic Merger: FPF and France FinTech Unite
In June 2024, Florence orchestrated a landmark strategic merger between FPF and France FinTech, creating the largest fintech association in Europe with over 350 members and 100 partners. This merger reflected her forward-thinking approach to industry evolution and her recognition that crowdfunding’s future lies in broader fintech integration.
“For more than 10 years, FPF has supported crowdfunding players in their development and has been their voice with regulators and public authorities. The progress made is phenomenal, but today we need renewal and a broader sounding board,” Florence explained during the merger announcement. “Because the subjects that we address are increasingly transversal with other fintech players, because the platforms are developing in various activities, because our issues are also becoming European, because the context is complicated and together we are stronger, the rapprochement of our two associations makes obvious sense today.”
A Global Network for European Leadership
As Deputy General Manager for Institutional Relations & Crowdfunding at France FinTech, Florence now oversees regulatory strategy for an ecosystem that represents the full spectrum of financial innovation. Her role extends beyond France through her position as a Board Member of the European Digital Finance Association (EDFA), where she helps coordinate fintech policy across European markets.
This European perspective provides GECA with direct access to regulatory discussions, policy development processes, and harmonization efforts that span the continent’s most sophisticated fintech markets. Florence’s institutional relationships extend from the European Commission to national parliaments, providing GECA with invaluable insights into regulatory trends and opportunities for global coordination.
Expertise in Participatory Finance Evolution
Florence’s experience spans the complete evolution of participatory finance, from early microcredit platforms to sophisticated equity crowdfunding ecosystems. Her expertise encompasses:
Reward crowdfunding: Understanding the keys to success for a reward or donation-based crowdfunding campaign, its democratic potential and its capacity for mobilization.
Crowdequity: Deep understanding of equity crowdfunding mechanics, regulatory requirements, and market development strategies.
Crowdlending: Comprehensive knowledge of peer-to-peer lending platforms, risk management frameworks, and regulatory compliance.
Real Estate Crowdfunding: Extensive experience in one of Europe’s largest crowdfunding verticals, including investor protection and project evaluation.
Cross-Border Operations: Practical understanding of how platforms can operate across multiple jurisdictions while maintaining regulatory compliance.
Alignment with GECA’s Mission
Florence’s appointment comes at a crucial time as equity crowdfunding markets mature globally. Her experience in building consensus among diverse stakeholders while maintaining high standards aligns perfectly with GECA’s approach to creating borderless investment opportunities.
“The future of crowdfunding is inherently global, but successful globalization requires the kind of regulatory expertise and institutional relationships that Florence possesses,” noted Andrew Field, Head of GECA’s steering committee. “Her proven ability to coordinate complex stakeholder groups and achieve regulatory clarity while fostering innovation makes her an ideal advisor as we work to harmonize standards across international markets.”
Contributing to Global Harmonization
Florence’s expertise will prove invaluable as GECA works to address key challenges in international crowdfunding:
Regulatory Coordination: Her experience in French and European regulatory development provides a proven blueprint for achieving consensus among diverse regulatory authorities.
Market Development: Her track record in building sustainable crowdfunding ecosystems offers practical insights for emerging markets seeking to develop their own frameworks.
Industry Standards: Her work in establishing best practices and ethical guidelines helps ensure that global harmonization maintains high standards for investor protection.
Cross-Border Innovation: Her understanding of how platforms can scale beyond domestic markets provides strategic guidance for GECA’s borderless vision.
A Strategic Addition to GECA’s Vision
With Florence’s addition to the steering committee, GECA continues building the intellectual foundation needed to navigate complex international regulatory landscapes. Her appointment follows recent additions of other industry leaders, creating a steering committee with complementary expertise spanning regulatory design, market development, and global coordination.
“I’m honored to join GECA’s steering committee at this transformative moment for global equity crowdfunding,” Florence commented. “Throughout my career, I’ve seen how effective regulatory frameworks can unlock innovation while protecting investors. GECA’s vision for borderless crowdfunding resonates deeply with the lessons we’ve learned in Europe about the power of harmonized standards and collaborative approaches to market development.”
Building Tomorrow’s Investment Infrastructure
As global crowdfunding markets continue evolving, Florence’s expertise in regulatory strategy and institutional relations positions GECA to accelerate its mission of creating truly borderless investment opportunities. Her proven track record in building consensus, achieving regulatory clarity, and fostering sustainable market growth provides exactly the type of leadership needed to transform GECA’s vision into reality.
The appointment of Florence de Maupeou signals that GECA is not just planning for the future of global crowdfunding – we’re building it with the expertise and institutional relationships necessary to succeed.
About GECA
The Global Equity Crowdfunding Alliance (GECA) is an international organization dedicated to advancing regulatory harmonization, market development, and best practices in equity crowdfunding worldwide. Learn more at thegeca.org.
Contact: For media inquiries about GECA’s steering committee appointments and global initiatives, please contact the steering committee at: contact@thegeca.org
Want to join GECA’s mission? Visit thegeca.org/join to learn about supporter opportunities for platforms, service providers, and industry stakeholders.
