The 1987 HEC Paris Entrepreneurship program provided the academic foundation for Dan Serfaty, who began his career by acquiring a tourism sector company in 1989. Born in Strasbourg in 1966, this French computer scientist and entrepreneur transitioned through various sectors, ranging from imported clothing distribution to the development of professional digital networking platforms.
Early Ventures and Agregator
Following a two-year period abroad after his university graduation, Serfaty returned to France to manage his first acquisition, which he sold in 1991. Simultaneously, he operated a business distributing clothing imports from Asia for a decade. In 2000, he launched Agregator, a support network for venture-backed CEOs designed to facilitate information exchange and capital liquidity. This platform provided the initial technical framework for his later interest in digital networking software.
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In 2004, Serfaty co-founded Viaduc with Thierry Lunati, utilizing capital sourced from the 5 million euros raised during the Agregator project. The platform underwent a rebranding to Viadeo in 2006 to support international growth, including the introduction of Italian and English language interfaces. The company pursued global reach by acquiring the Chinese site Tianji.com in 2007. Under this strategy, Tianji.com grew from 1.3 million users to 8 million by 2011, contributing to Viadeo’s peak status as the second-largest professional social network with 60 million users.
Transition and Philanthropy
Serfaty departed Viadeo in January 2016 following international expansion challenges, and the firm was subsequently acquired by Le Figaro. That same year, he established the enterprise Artur'In. Moving into the non-profit sector, he became Co-President of Keren Hayessod France in early 2020, focusing on social programs in Israel. Shortly thereafter, he was appointed to the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency for Israel.
Fast facts
- Born: 1966, Strasbourg, France
- Education: HEC Paris
- Profession: Entrepreneur, computer scientist
- Viadeo Co-founder: 2004
- Tianji.com acquisition: 2007
- Artur'In founder: 2016
- Keren Hayessod France Co-President: 2020
- Board membership: Jewish Agency for Israel
Questions readers ask
What was the original name of the professional network Viadeo?
The company was originally founded as Viaduc in 2004.
What is the primary objective of Keren Hayessod France?
The charity aims to reduce social fracture in Israel.
Achievements
- Educated at HEC Paris
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