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Marine Couteau
Program Manager, Scale-Up Institute Toronto at Toronto Region Board of Trade
Professional Background
Marine Couteau is a talented bilingual project manager fluent in both French and English, demonstrating a unique ability to bring diverse teams together around a unified mission and vision. Driven by a passion for social and environmental challenges, Marine has cultivated a career characterized by significant contributions to various sectors, including technology, marketing, and brand development. Marine’s collaborative spirit and commitment to impactful projects have made her a respected figure in her field.
Currently, Marine serves as a Program Manager at the Scale-Up Institute Toronto, part of the Toronto Region Board of Trade, where she continues to foster growth and innovation in the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Canada. Her previous role as a Coordinator for the Trade Accelerator Program further illustrates her dedication to accelerating business success and fostering international trade opportunities.
Before her tenure in governmental organizations, Marine made remarkable strides in the private sector as the co-founder and COO of Leka, a smart toy company that gained recognition in the tech industry. This venture, which was featured in Forbes' 30 Under 30 in 2017, was a testament to her ability to merge technology with educational play and social responsibility. The success of Leka culminated in its acquisition by APF France Handicap, further emphasizing Marine's strong impact within the industry.
Prior to Leka, Marine garnered valuable experience in various other roles. She worked as a Project Manager in Marketing, Communication, and Development at Bee Nature Cosmetics, focusing on innovative strategies that highlight the brand's commitment to natural products. Additionally, as a New Product Development Manager for the prestigious brand Melvita at L'Occitane en Provence, she contributed to the launch of new products that aligned with market trends and consumer needs. Marine's career began as a Manufacturing Process Engineer at Coty Beauty, where she honed her engineering skills in a fast-paced production environment.
Education and Achievements
Marine Couteau's educational background includes a Diplôme d'ingénieur in Research and Development from the esteemed Ecole de Biologie Industrielle. This rigorous academic training has equipped her with a strong foundation in engineering principles and a keen understanding of product development processes.
As a co-founder of Leka, Marine played an integral role in the development and launch of innovative educational toys focused on cognitive development in children. The recognition of Leka as one of Forbes' 30 Under 30 in 2017 stands as a testament to her entrepreneurial spirit and vision. This achievement solidified her status as a leader in the social entrepreneurship space.
Achievements
Throughout her dynamic career, Marine has demonstrated continuous growth, adaptability, and a keen sense for identifying opportunities in various sectors. Notable achievements include:
- Co-founding Leka and driving its vision, resulting in a successful acquisition by APF France Handicap.
- Being selected for Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in 2017, highlighting her as a rising star in the tech industry.
- Effectively leading projects at the Scale-Up Institute Toronto, contributing to the growth of businesses within the region.
- Successfully managing marketing and development programs at Bee Nature Cosmetics, increasing brand visibility and engagement.
- Innovating product development initiatives at L'Occitane en Provence, contributing to the brand's market growth and reputation.
- Establishing a solid engineering foundation while working at Coty Beauty, which enabled her to transition successfully into project management roles and entrepreneurship.
Marine Couteau's career exemplifies a commitment to innovation, collaboration, and social responsibility. Her unique blend of engineering expertise, project management skills, and passion for impactful solutions positions her as a prominent leader in any team she joins.
