Julien Nicolas

Corporate Innovation

Julien has over 10 years of experience designing and leading startup programs across accelerators and corporate innovation internationally. At Lean Startup he works with mid-to large-sized companies and public institutions in Europe and Africa to implement sprint formats, startup programs, and transformation strategies that drive meaningful innovation outcomes.

Previously, as Innovation Lead at Leroy Merlin Russia (40,000 employees), Julien designed and ran pilots to test and scale new retail solutions. At NUMA and EuraTechnologies, he led startup acceleration and international programs, helping scale-ups successfully enter the French and EU markets. His global perspective and hands-on approach have made him a trusted advisor for organizations navigating digital transformation and innovation challenges.

Julien holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from ESSEC and a Specialized Master’s in Strategy & Consulting from ESCP, Bi-cultural (French/Russian) and based in Paris, he has lived in seven countries including China, Angola, the USA, Spain, and Russia. Fluent in French, English, and Russian with a good understanding of Spanish, Julien is passionate about cooking, cycling, and music – where he also DJs in his spare time.