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Day: 6 December 2021

Jim Mellon invests in start-up accelerator Monaco Foundry

by: Stephanie Horsman
06/12/2021

Monaco Foundry has just announced that British billionaire entrepreneur Jim Mellon will be investing in the company to take it to the next level. 
Monaco Foundry was founded by a team of entrepreneurs, former government advisors, venture capitalists and Fortune 500 executives to invest in early to mid-stage companies who are looking to make the world a better place by aiding their growth through a unique sweat equity model based on values.
Now, Monaco Foundry has attracted the attention of Scottish investor and philanthropist Jim Mellon, founder of the Burnbrae Group, who has joined as a partner with the group.
“We are delighted to invest in Monaco Foundry, we believe they are a key player in the innovation playground and a pioneer when it comes to building a new breed of business accelerator, the first of its kind worldwide,” said Jim Mellon. “They cultivate new ideas and technologies embedding the economies of tomorrow.”
Fabrice Marquet, co-Founder of Monaco Foundry, said he was “humbled” that the world-renowned entrepreneur and investor believes in their vision. “Monaco Foundry will keep accelerating the growth of its portfolio companies thanks to Jim Mellon’s investment and strengthen our unique premium business development services to early-stage companies. In Q1 2022, we will also be launching a massive project to disrupt and democratise the way startups get funded.
“Today, most economic growth comes from startups but the current model is completely outdated, inefficient and biased (only 0.05% of startups raise VC money). Think about the impact on countries’ GDPs if we could increase the success rate of new companies.”
Meanwhile, Monaco Foundry announced that Crystal Water Group has been added to their portfolio. The start-up has created a solution that allows existing tap water to be purified with a pioneering filtration system offering healthy, sustainable drinking water worldwide, whilst assisting in the reduction of transportation costs, pollution, and wastage from plastic or glass water bottles.
“We are excited to work with a driven, successful and passionate entrepreneur like (Crystal Water’s founder) Tommy Boserup,” said Monaco Foundry Senior Partner Aaron Woolfson. “His vision to fix what is a major global issue for us all is 100% aligned with what Monaco Foundry stands for. Having access to quality water coming from a London tap via the Crystal Water device is game-changing and not something I knew was possible. The additional positive environmental impact this product delivers made this company a no-brainer for us to get behind.”
 
 
 
 
 

Christmas Market in the Great White North  

by: Stephanie Horsman
06/12/2021

The Princely family has officially opened Monaco’s Christmas Village and this year, get ready to encounter puffins, the Niagara Falls and immeasurable wilderness as the Port of Monaco takes on a Canada theme. 

Prince Albert, his children Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, sister Princess Caroline, her son Pierre Casiraghi and wife Beatrice, inaugurated the new Christmas village on Friday evening, alongside Monegasque personalities including National Council President Stéphane Valeri.

Sheltered by a forest of 800 natural firs, the village will offer visitors the chance to meet one of Canada’s most adorable sea birds, the puffin. The journey through the Great White North takes visitors to Niagara Falls, Toronto and the massive plains, deep forests and vertiginous mountains of the country’s western regions, before landing in British Columbia with its totem poles and the terminus of the transcontinental railway line linking east to west. Also on hand will be Bonhomme, the mascot of the Quebec winter carnival.

The village also features many familiar sites, such as the merry-go-round and duck pond fishing, though this year there will some new additions, such as a caribou ride carousel and a toboggan slide.

The market features 17 chalet-style kiosks selling a variety of items as well as 20 food stands, each with an adjoining dining area. In addition, the ice-skating rink, nestled in the heart of the village, will be open and ready for business throughout. 

 Despite the carefree nature of the event, there are real world health measures that will need to be adhered to. All visitors over 16 will be required to present a valid health pass, mask-wearing is compulsory for everyone over five years of age, and all eating and drinking must be at a seated table. Walking with food and drink is prohibited.

The Christmas Village can be accessed from six points and will be fitted with carpets to demark them clearly. This is not only to ensure an orderly entry to the site, but also to keep an eye on the number of guests entering. There will be a cap on visitors at any given time and once that number has been reached, access will be suspended temporarily. To minimise risk of being denied entry, there is a camera set up by the Mairie offering a streaming live feed so potential visitors can gauge whether the crowds are nearing maximum density.

The Christmas in Canada Village is open until Sunday 2nd January on the Quai Albert 1er.

 
 
Photo by Ed Wright Images / Mairie de Monaco
 
 
 

Title race in Saudi Arabia turns nasty

by: Luke Entwistle
06/12/2021

Sunday’s inaugural Saudi Arabia Grand Prix played host to one of the most memorable and dramatic F1 races in recent history, treating us to multiple red flags and collisions between the title rivals.
Charles Leclerc, following a strong qualifying, will be disappointed to have not converted his fourth-place grid position, ultimately finishing in a respectable seventh place. The Monegasque driver was one of many to have lost out in the mid-race carnage, which produced two red flags.
Having crashed on the exit of the final corner on Saturday’s qualifying, Max Verstappen only qualified third, whilst Lewis Hamilton took pole. Valterri Bottas, an ambassador at last week’s Beking event in Monaco, started second. All three got a good launch and remained in formation, with Leclerc trailing in fourth.
The turning point in the race came from a relatively innocuous crash from Mick Schumacher, which brought out the red flag as repairs were needed to repair the barrier. This, however, was after many in the field, including Leclerc and Hamilton, had pitted for new tyres, leaving them languishing further down the field. Verstappen was the main benefactor as he stayed out, changed his tyres under the red flag and found himself leading the race.
From a grid restart, Hamilton launched down the inside of Verstappen, but the Dutchman hung-on around the outside; the Briton took evasive action to avoid the Red Bull, and subsequently lost out to Esteban Ocon.
Further down the field, Leclerc was squeezed against the barrier by Perez, sending the Mexican spinning and causing a subsequent crash involving Nikita Mazepin and George Russell, bringing out another red flag.
Dramatic radio negotiations between the FIA, Red Bull and Mercedes during the second red flag meant that, in order to avoid incurring a penalty, Verstappen would give back the positions to Ocon and Hamilton, and start in third.
On the second restart however, Verstappen overtook Hamilton at turn one as the cars ran three abreast. Ocon was a sitting duck for Verstappen and then for Hamilton, who both made light-work of getting by the Frenchman.
Hamilton, with superior pace on the hard tyres closed in on Verstappen, almost overtaking with the Dutchman only maintaining the place having run wide. He was then ordered to give the place to Hamilton, who in trying to overtake the slow-moving Red Bull, dramatically ran into the back, damaging the Briton’s front-wing. Hamilton did eventually pass, despite a couple of gung-ho moves from Verstappen, none of which stuck. Verstappen subsequently picked up penalties for the incidents, but maintained second position, whilst Hamilton took the chequered flag to leave the rivals level on points going into the final race.
Bottas overtook Ocon on the line to complete the podium, whilst Leclerc, one of the major victims of the mid-race carnage, finished seventh – crucially allowing him to overtake new Monaco resident, Lando Norris to take fifth position in the drivers’ standings.
The race was therefore bittersweet for Leclerc, who despite climbing the drivers’ standings, was left reflecting on what could have been. “It is a shame to only finish seventh, because we had the potential to do better,” he said after the race. “The red flag cost us three positions then came the contact with Perez and we lost more positions.”
Leclerc takes a slender lead over Norris going into the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi next weekend. All the attention, however, will be on Hamilton and Verstappen, as both vie to become world champion, in a title race that will go down to the wire.
 
 
Photo source: Scuderia Ferrari Press Office
 
 
 

In-form Monaco thump lowly Metz

by: Luke Entwistle
06/12/2021

AS Monaco continued on their recent upward trajectory with a comfortable 4-0 victory at home to Ligue 1 strugglers Metz, leaving Nico Kovac’s men just a point off the European places.
Having subjected Angers to a comprehensive 3-1 defeat in midweek, Kovac’s side have now registered seven goals in the last two matches, after a relatively barren spell in front of goal.
Monaco’s energetic high-press, which was so key to their midweek victory, was once again on show here on Sunday, and reaped immediate rewards. Within 90 seconds, Myron Boadu’s closing-down of the Metz goalkeeper forced a rushed clearance. Pushed up and primed to intercept was Aurelien Tchouameni, who advanced the ball to Gelson Martins. He, in-turn, set up Sofiane Diop, who swivelled and made a well-placed shot into the bottom corner.
Despite Monaco’s domination, Metz had a glaring opportunity to equalise when captain Dylan Bronn found himself unmarked, just six yards out, but he could only head wide when it seemed easier to score.
Monaco punished them for that miss as Kevin Volland sent Metz goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja the wrong way from the spot on the stroke of half-time, after Metz were adjudged to have handled in their own box.
Gelson Martins, who has looked right at home in Kovac’s recently implemented 4-2-3-1 formation, managed to bundle one over the line early in the second-half, despite the best efforts of the Metz goalkeeper.
Having scored the third, the game drifted towards its inevitable conclusion; Metz failed to muster any considerable threat, and Prince Albert II, as well as over 1,000 youngsters who were invited to the fixture, watched-on as Monaco strolled to victory.
Before the final whistle, however, the near 5,000-strong crowd were treated to one more moment of excellence. Substitutes Aleksandr Golovin and Wissam Ben Yedder, combining for a classy goal late-on, the Russian back-heeling to the French international, who cut inside and curled beautifully into the corner, putting a sheen on the already emphatic result.
Post-match, Kovac reflected on what has been a positive week for the Principality side: “It was a very good performance on our part today. We dominated the match, and Metz didn’t even have a shot on target. It is therefore a really good week for us.”

The consecutive victories leave Kovac’s side in a much more positive league position going into difficult matches against PSG and Rennes in the league. “We’re climbing up the table little-by-little, which, apart from PSG who are playing their own championship, is very close. Lots of teams are capable of fighting for European places.”
Next up, AS Monaco head to Sturm Graz in Austria in the Europa League on Thursday, with progression to the knockout stages already secured.
 
 
Photo source: AS Monaco
 
 

Roca make comeback win against Reims

by: Luke Entwistle
06/12/2021

AS Monaco basketball ended a four-game losing streak on Saturday, overcoming a three-point deficit going into the final quarter to beat Reims 90-83 at the Salle Gaston Médecin.
The win consolidates AS Monaco’s second place in the Betclic Elite division, having won seven matches this season. Only Boulogne have won more with nine. The Principality side also carry a game in hand, which could allow them to close the gap to top spot even further.
Having lost out in the previous two fixtures in the final quarter, this time it was Monaco’s turn to have a late rally and take home the spoils, and this is testament to their resilient mentality. The game was ultimately won from Reims’ ill-discipline, having conceded 30 free throws, more than double what Monaco conceded, it was only the Principality side’s wastefulness from the free-throw line that prevented the scoreline looking more emphatic – the profligacy likely a vestige of the side’s recent poor run of form.
Donatas Motiejunas helped Monaco to a strong start, nailing a three pointer, whilst also doing well to manufacture space within the key to secure a field goal. Having raced into a commanding 17-9 during the first quarter, Monaco’s defensive deficiencies were once again exposed as Reims closed the gap to trail by just four at the buzzer.
Monaco, seeking to extend their advantage, were thankful for a piece of Paris Lee magic early in the second quarter, as the American carried the ball the length of the court, before dispatching a three-pointer, getting fouled in the process. This score provoked a comeback as Reims’, with their superior accuracy from outside the key, converted a series of three-pointers, the Monaco defence once again found wanting.
Monaco therefore went into half-time with a slender lead, but this was soon overcome; the Principality side couldn’t contain Reims’ penetrating runs, whilst they also failed to compress the space outside the key.
Monaco therefore found themselves in an all too familiar position going into the final quarter, with the match finely in the balance. In recent times, the Roca side have folded in such situations, but this time they rose to the challenge. Lee, a constant threat, got the quarter off to a great start with a three-pointer. He was backed up by Rob Gray, Monaco’s top scorer on the day with 18, who was chipping in with frequent field goals.
It was, however, Lee who stole the show in the fourth quarter and dragged his team over the line to bring a four-game losing streak to a welcome end.

Monaco’s coach Zvezdan Mitrovic, although far from overwhelmingly pleased with the performance, was nonetheless happy to have secured the victory, saying after the game: “The only thing to take from this match is the victory, and that’s the most important thing, as well as bringing an end to the losing run!”
Mitrovic will be hoping that his side have gained confidence from the win, and that they can take that confidence into what is an extremely packed December schedule. Next up – Lyon at the Salle Gaston Médecin on Tuesday evening.

Bal de Noël raising funds for Princess Charlene Foundation

by: Stephanie Horsman
06/12/2021

This year’s edition of the Bal de Noël will feature dinner and a show as well as an auction to raise funds to the Princess Charlene Foundation.

Now in its 16th year, the Bal de Noël, founded by Sandrine Knoell, is one of the highlights of the holiday season, attracting not only a sparkling guest list but an equally impressive committee.

This year, the ball will be held on 11th December with an 8pm start in the Salle Empire of the Hôtel de Paris. The 2021 theme is based on the perennial holiday favourite, The Nutcracker, and has a programme to bring out the true spirit of Christmas in all.

There will be an elegant dinner as well as a show, singers and a magical holiday-inspired atmosphere.

Just as important as the fun to be had is the good cause it supports. An auction organised by Sotheby’s will raise funds for the Princess Charlene Foundation. Going under the gavel will be a diverse range of items including donations from luxury watch brand Hublot, Armand de Brignac Champagne, Lorenza von Stein luxury real estate, stylist Oscar Scirè and Lady Monika del Campo Bacardi.

The “International Action Committee”, who helped make the evening possible along with Ms Knoell, is comprised of Princess Camilla de Bourbon of the Two Sicilies of Rome, Paris and Monaco; Lady Monika del Campo Bacardi of Bayfield Hall; the Marchioness Roberta Gilardi-Sestito of Lugano; Anne Black from New York: Donatella Campioni from Monaco; Ekatarina Butorina from Moscow; Lene Gianni from Rome; Elisa Giusti from Florence; Celina Lafuente de Lavotha from Monaco and Buenos Aires, Inna Maier from Minsk and Monaco, and Elizabeth Wessel from Monaco.