Who is Objow
Objow is a Lyon-based startup launched in 2019 by Jonathan Le Duc. Its SaaS platform helps companies drive the performance and engagement of their teams through gamification: challenges, personalized goals, rewards and commission tracking for sales networks and employees.
After six years of development, Objow is deployed with more than 50 clients and 40,000 users. In 2026, the startup reached a milestone: a €2M funding round with Crédit Agricole Création, HUB612 Participations, Holnest, Aonia Ventures, Edenred Ventures and two business angels, and the arrival of Dimitri Dugne as Managing Director, who also invested in the company. His background: nearly ten years building a French leader in employee benefits.
The ambitions are bold: grow from 50 to 500 clients and become a leading player in incentives in Europe. To ensure this pivotal moment bolsters Objow's credibility and growth, the startup needed a structured communication strategy.
The goal of the partnership
Position Objow as a leading player in gamification for employee engagement, while showcasing its growth to business, startup, and HR media.
The 3-pillar Linker playbook
1. Build an expert narrative on employee engagement
- Structuring the expert narrative around gamification, employee engagement, and HR innovation
- Supporting the speaking opportunities of Dimitri Dugne and the leadership team
- Editorial angle: day-to-day performance management, a lever still underused by companies investing in incentives
2. Turn the funding round into a media highlight
- Media relations management and targeting of business, startup, HR, and innovation media
- Coordinated double announcement: the €2M funding round and Dimitri Dugne's appointment presented as a single message, signaling a new phase of growth
- Activation of regional and financial press to anchor Objow within the Lyon ecosystem and among investors
- Showcasing strategic partnerships and key growth milestones
3. Amplify momentum on LinkedIn
- Designing and executing Objow's LinkedIn editorial strategy
- Topics: innovation, growth, HR trends, and gamification
- Sharing press coverage to extend the visibility of the funding round to clients, prospects, and talent
The results
The combined media relations and LinkedIn strategy transformed the funding round into a powerful tool for visibility and credibility:
- 15 qualified media hits
- Coverage in business, financial, and regional press: Le Journal des Entreprises, Boursier.com, CFNEWS, Le Progrès, Lyon Décideurs, Info-net
- Strong visibility surrounding the funding round and strategic announcements
- Greater visibility for Dimitri Dugne in business, startup, and HR media from day one in his role
- Stronger LinkedIn presence built on an expert editorial strategy
- Objow positioned as an innovative player in gamification and employee engagement
For another example of a funding round amplified by the press and LinkedIn, read the MuchBetter.ai case study.
