A birth in the heart of Inovallée
Probayes is created by a team of researchers from Inria and CNRS who had an avant-garde vision of the future of Artificial Intelligence, but above all the values of probity, ethics, excellence and innovation which constitute the DNA of Probayes.
The strength of a large group, the agility of an SME or the beautiful story of a successful takeover
Acquired by La Poste in 2016, the Bonimontain company became the Group’s Data/AI skills center. There were barely around thirty employees. 8 years later, there are 85 of them, including 75 at the Inovalli headquarters of Montbonnot, and 10 in Paris.
Although La Poste has become a very large customer, Probayes has never stopped developing its turnover outside the group and supporting its many customers. “This acquisition opened doors for us, allowed us to invest and implement a stimulating HR policy” underlines Marie-Pierre Spendeler, HR Director of Probayes, before continuing: “however , the group was able to give us a lot of autonomy to allow us to maintain our agility and our own corporate culture.”
“The team grew very quickly (+60 in 8 years), and we put in place middle management with small teams. The managers of these teams mostly joined Probayes for their first job 7-8 years ago, sometimes as an intern,” emphasizes Marie-Pierre.
When scientific and technical excellence and the demands of recruiters become a factor of attractiveness
Probayes has not changed anything about its scientific and technical culture. Its pioneering positioning around AI, the development of which is causing a veritable tidal wave, requires cutting-edge expertise, in a context of the international AI race where technologies are evolving very quickly.
“We are proud to have kept our DNA, our spirit of an innovative start-up. Even though we are 85 people today, we have retained our agility, our capacity to innovate, in particular by maintaining very strong links with the academic world.”, underlines Kamel Mekhnacha, general director and co-founder.
Moreover, Probayes is recruiting many doctors and engineers, all attracted primarily by the job description and the scientific and technical interest of their missions.
“Data / AI technologies are particularly attractive today. We are very demanding in our recruitment, and those who choose to join us do so above all for the scientific and technical interest of the projects. »
Especially since throughout their career, everything is organized to allow them to continue to learn and progress. Individualized continuing training constantly guarantees the development of employees and allows them to maintain their high level of expertise while stimulating their motivation.
Probayes ensures that employees can have prospects for development within the company and plan for technical or non-technical career paths, depending on their skills and desires.
Management through trust and a culture of kindness
Si Probayes recrute des profils d’excellence, ce n’est pas seulement pour leurs compétences techniques, mais aussi pour leur adéquation avec la culture et les valeurs chères à l’entreprise depuis sa création en 2003, que sont la bienveillance, l’excellence scientifique et technique et la satisfaction clients.
“Candidates are subject to several interviews guaranteeing transparency of expectations and a collegial decision on hiring. Integration is facilitated by a sponsorship system and regular exchanges with the manager and HR during the first months," emphasizes Marie-Pierre, before continuing: "management is based on confidence, with small teams and an open space organization. We are very attached to local management and an organization advocating accountability, autonomy and flexibility.
Thus, regular exchanges are organized to ensure strong transversality of information. Weekly team and company meetings provide visibility to employees and their contribution. The results and the strategy are presented to them twice a year by the management team.
And Probayes has a profit-sharing agreement which materializes the recognition of a collective contribution to the company's results.
Human qualities at the heart of QVT
Probayes obviously ensures the daily quality of life of its employees.
In addition to the traditional benefits (RTT, restaurant vouchers, mutual insurance, etc.), PROBAYES' modern and comfortable premises (relaxation area, herbal tea room, showers, etc.) as well as teleworking contribute to the well-being of employees.
The majority of them travel by public transport and bicycles. As part of its Sustainable Mobility Package company agreement, PROBAYES encourages the use of these gentle modes of travel by participating financially in the associated costs (bicycle mileage allowance, etc.). In addition, the company has a large, secure bicycle garage equipped with sockets for electric bicycles. Terminals are also available for electric vehicles.
And internal events are regularly organized in collaboration with the CSE promoting conviviality: offsite, monthly pizzas and breakfasts, evenings, etc. “ We encourage festive and sporting initiatives and we sponsor our football team of which we are very proud! », souligne Marie-Pierre.
There were 22 Probayes employees defending the colors of their company during the Olympics, and the Biathlon team finished on the first step of the podium! “All the employees united around the teams, who were very encouraged by the supporters during the events, in a good-natured spirit. Because the desire to win is less important than solidarity: we help each other, even when we lose!,” rejoices Marie-Pierre, before continuing: “ we are lucky to have intelligent people in our teams, intellectually of course, but also and above all humanly, and that makes all the difference.”
Because the real bet is there: people and the quality of relationships at all levels. “ Table football is just the icing on the cake, but it’s not what we want to highlight in our recruitment. We have bet on demanding recruitment, both on the scientific and technical skills and on the human qualities of our employees, and it is clear that it works. Because it is first and foremost the quality of human relationships in teams that determines the atmosphere at work and the pleasure of collaborating.”
