What’s your relationship with money?

Money is a topic we often avoid discussing, especially on a personal level. Yet for the rare breed that is an entrepreneur, it directly influences our business management. Speaking from what I know, in France, economical education is very scarce; schools rarely provide education on budgeting, investments, or navigating the banking system. For women in particular, discussing revenue, budgets, or business finances especially for women, it’s almost like yelling profanities. We simply don’t dare to do so. And yet, the way we handle money impacts every aspect of our work, life, and future. So let’s talk money.

The reflexion about money started at a talk organized by Mewem, the mentorship program for women entrepreneur. During the Mewem Camp, the final intervention was about, you guessed it, the relationship with money for music entrepreneurs. Following the insightful questions asked by the journalist Dolores Bakela and the discussion with my fellow panelists Léa Lejeune (Plan Cash) and Émilie Friedu (Programme Mères), some questions remained: How does our financial education—or lack thereof—influence how we run our businesses? What role does social background play in shaping our financial mindset? Should we accumulate wealth as a safety net, or focus on smarter money management?

All in all, our key takeaway was simple: money is a tool, not a trophy. No need to accumulate and gather as much as you can: it’s fuel for your entrepreneurial engine. Having projects and ideas is the first step, prioritize having clear financial goals, a safe cash flow, and a well-thought-out financing plan. This actually helps a lot; it demystifies the vision we have of money, as a means to support your projects—rather than the end goal itself.

Fortunately, in France and Europe, there are ways to reach out for resources to support entrepreneurs carrying new projects. Compared to neighboring ecosystems, France is relatively well-funded, with grants, partnerships, and public programs available for entrepreneurs. On a European level, financing is a maze to learn how to navigate in the long term, with partners and various actors. But it is doable, as long as you keep in mind that you have to think about it “project first”.

Take our collaboration with Music Tech France, for example. We’re working on the first-ever AI solutions mapping for the live music sector, funded by LiveMX, a grant managed by the European Commission. Led by Music Tech France in partnership with MusicTech Germany and WISE, this project is a year-long initiative. Interested to see where we’re at now? Check out our Capacity Building session with LiveMX.

For entrepreneurs, the key is to approach financing strategically. Apply for grants, partnerships, and public funding programs that align with your vision. And remember, you don’t have to navigate this alone. That might our second takeaway: specialists can help you identify opportunities and craft applications that stand out.

In the end, the goal is to make informed decisions on financing matters. Even if it requires a bit more investment in the early stages, it becomes easier and easier once you have a clear path in mind and the steps you’re taking.

Maybe it’ll seem counter-intuitive considering we’re regularly in contact with startups, but one of the most common mistakes entrepreneurs make is prioritizing fundraising too early—or unnecessarily. Raising capital through VCs can bring benefits, but it often comes with significant constraints, including loss of equity and pressure for rapid growth. For small teams focused on innovation and resilience, this can be counterproductive. Instead, consider a project-first approach

Very soon, we’ll get to the pros & cons of fundraising to help make enlightened decision. By focusing on building a solid foundation, you’ll be better positioned to leverage fundraising at the right time—if it aligns with your long-term strategy.