People & Profit

The robotics startup Exotec has become France's 25th unicorn company, valued at $2 billion after its latest fundraising round. The firm makes robots for e-commerce depots, and counts big names like Carrefour, Uniqlo and Decathlon among its customers. Exotec's CEO Romain Moulin told FRANCE 24 the inspiration for the company actually came from online retail giant Amazon.

The robotics startup Exotec has become France's 25th unicorn company, valued at $2 billion after its latest fundraising round. The firm makes robots for e-commerce depots, and counts big names like Carrefour, Uniqlo and Decathlon among its customers. Exotec's CEO Romain Moulin told FRANCE 24 the inspiration for the company actually came from online retail giant Amazon.

The World Bank is warning of a "steep slowdown" in economic growth in 2022, as the Omicron variant and inflation weigh on the recovery from Covid-19. In its latest economic forecast, the Bank expects slower global expansion this year and next, as well as a divergence between developed and developing countries. Franziska Ohnsorge, one of the report's authors, told FRANCE 24 "it's almost as if the two groups are on different flight paths", as poorer countries lag behind richer ones.

The World Bank is warning of a "steep slowdown" in economic growth in 2022, as the Omicron variant and inflation weigh on the recovery from Covid-19. In its latest economic forecast, the Bank expects slower global expansion this year and next, as well as a divergence between developed and developing countries. Franziska Ohnsorge, one of the report's authors, told FRANCE 24 "it's almost as if the two groups are on different flight paths", as poorer countries lag behind richer ones.

It's been a chaotic start to the year for the global economy, with the Omicron variant of Covid-19 disrupting a range of industries. In this edition, we're looking ahead to what else may be in store for the rest of 2022. Ian Bremmer, President of Eurasia Group and GZERO Media, joins us to discuss his annual list of top geopolitical risks the world faces. They include: China's "zero-Covid" policy, big tech companies' influence on the world, the US midterm elections, US-Russia tensions, climate change and more.

It's been a chaotic start to the year for the global economy, with the Omicron variant of Covid-19 disrupting a range of industries. In this edition, we're looking ahead to what else may be in store for the rest of 2022. Ian Bremmer, President of Eurasia Group and GZERO Media, joins us to discuss his annual list of top geopolitical risks the world faces. They include: China's "zero-Covid" policy, big tech companies' influence on the world, the US midterm elections, US-Russia tensions, climate change and more.

2021 brought big changes to households and businesses around the world. In the last show of the season, Stephen Carroll and Kate Moody take a look at some of the biggest business and economic stories of the year and how they might evolve in 2022.

2021 brought big changes to households and businesses around the world. In the last show of the season, Stephen Carroll and Kate Moody take a look at some of the biggest business and economic stories of the year and how they might evolve in 2022.

Covid-19 has impacted businesses around the world. But despite rising costs, labour shortages and supply chain problems, French bosses are feeling more positive that at any point since the year 2000, according to a November survey. Stephen Carroll meets two entrepreneurs who are making and selling products in France: Christèle Merter, founder and CEO of the eco-conscious clothing company La Gentle Factory; and Benjamin Kuentz, who makes French whisky under his own label Maison Benjamin Kuentz.

Covid-19 has impacted businesses around the world. But despite rising costs, labour shortages and supply chain problems, French bosses are feeling more positive that at any point since the year 2000, according to a November survey. Stephen Carroll meets two entrepreneurs who are making and selling products in France: Christèle Merter, founder and CEO of the eco-conscious clothing company La Gentle Factory; and Benjamin Kuentz, who makes French whisky under his own label Maison Benjamin Kuentz.