Software engineering is entering a time of change.
Today, proven delivery matters more than bold promises.
During a recent appearance on Paroles d'Entreprises, hosted by Vincent Touraine on BFM Business, I shared our view of these changes.
My first appearance on the show was in 2021. Coming back in 2025 gave me a chance to reflect on how far Novity has come, explain our role as a technology and product engineering partner, and review how our business has grown.
From engineering to business: How we built the Novity model
Fifteen years of engineering work in financial infrastructure
Novity was built on more than 25 years of hands-on industry experience.
I spent the first fifteen years of my career in the European financial sector. I worked at Clearstream as a Software Engineer, Team Leader, and later as Head of Unit.
This work gave me a strict approach to building highly available, cloud-native systems. It also gave me a deep understanding of secure transaction flows in demanding regulatory settings.
Ten years leading tech teams at software companies
I then spent ten years as CTO of three software companies operating in the MarTech (marketing technology) sector for retail: Perigee, Wiser Solutions (formerly Work IT) and Kolsquare.
During this period, I built engineering teams from the ground up across Europe and the Indian Ocean region.
Together, we developed and secured data-driven platforms serving thousands of users.
These experiences reinforced a fundamental principle: successful technology delivery depends as much on the quality of the team and its organisation as it does on the underlying architecture.
Founding Novity in 2019
As a CTO, I spent too much time sourcing talent and handling admin work, whether for in-house staff, outside providers or freelancers.
This took time away from product vision and tech strategy.
I founded Novity in 2019 to create the alternative I had been looking for: a company that can advise technology leaders while helping deliver their product roadmaps.
The business grew naturally, starting with the last company where I served as CTO.
That first client still works with us today.
Four areas of expertise built around real-world engineering needs
A clear focus: Consulting, Product, Software, Data / AI
Technology needs are changing, and we see those changes directly in our clients' projects.
In 2026, we are formally shaping our work around four areas of expertise:
- Consulting
- Product
- Software
- Data / AI
This is not a reinvention of our business. These skills have been part of our daily work since 2019.
We are simply making our expertise and the work our engineers already deliver more visible.
Today, Novity acts as a strong bridge between talent and tech companies, linking Europe with Mauritius and Madagascar.
Scaling our Data Engineering & AI Practice
As part of this move, we are structuring our Data Engineering & AI practice.
This decision reflects the changing tech systems and needs of our clients.
For several years, artificial intelligence and data-driven features have naturally become part of the projects we support, from business applications and SaaS platforms to cloud systems and business intelligence tools.
The formal launch of this practice in 2026 is not a hasty response to the AI boom.
It is a natural extension of our expertise in Product and Software Engineering.
Our work focuses on practical problems that directly affect business performance:
- Improve the reliability and usability of business data.
- Integrating AI features into existing tech systems.
- Ensuring the resilience of business-critical systems.
- Strengthen the resilience of business-critical systems.
- Support better business decisions through technology and data.
Looking to strengthen your data or AI capabilities?
Let's move beyond theory discussions and talk about your projects.
→ Explore Novity's expertise
Our industry expertise in numbers
Our business has grown by helping organisations deal with hard problems around scale, security and regulatory compliance.
The distribution of our clients reflects the strength of our model: senior engineers who understand both technology and the business impact of the industries they serve.
- 32% — FinTech
Our FinTech clients work across financing, insurance, banking and payment solutions.
We support European companies in building secure, scalable solutions that meet regulatory needs while improving the customer experience.
- 30% — Retail
Our retail expertise covers specialist retail, supply chains, franchise networks and e-commerce.
We help retailers and tech companies upgrade their platforms and business applications, streamline customer journeys and make better use of their data.
- 18% — B2B Services
We work with founders, technology leaders and corporate digital teams.
Our engineers strengthen technology and product teams across the software lifecycle, from initial design to the upgrade of business applications, SaaS solutions and web platforms.
This helps organisations standardise business processes,build distinct features and accelerate time to market.
Integrated engineering teams: Our model and what sets us apart
In 2026, traditional IT outsourcing models based on freelancers, IT services companies and software development agencies are showing their limits.
To address these challenges, Novity provides integrated engineering teams that work as part of our clients' organisations.
The line between internal and external engineers matters less. What matters is the quality of execution, shared accountability and the ability to deliver.
This approach has already proved its value with more than 80 European tech companies.
Integrated engineering teams: The Novity approach vs traditional IT Services
Looking to strengthen your data or AI environments?
→ Find us on DesignRush
Sources
- BFM Business – Interview with Xavier Lernould on Paroles d’entreprise: Novity, a Partner for Tech Companies
- Xavier Lernould on LinkedIn - In Our Business, Physical Distance Means Nothing When Trust Is There
