What LOptimisme.pro does

LOptimisme.pro, operated by What About Smiling SAS, is a French-language professional media platform and corporate training organization founded in 2017 in Paris by Catherine Testa. The company targets HR, Quality of Life at Work (QVT), and Corporate Social Responsibility (RSE) decision-makers in France and francophone Africa, combining an editorial media business with a training and certification practice. Its audience footprint includes 1M+ social followers and a newsletter reaching 60,000+ readers, and it operates an online training platform at formation.loptimisme.pro alongside a B2B partner network of 300+ member companies.

The product surface spans four interconnected lines: (1) editorial content — articles, podcasts, and social media covering QVT, RSE, mental health, and workplace well-being; (2) corporate training — including the PSSM (Premiers Secours en Santé Mentale / Mental Health First Aid) certification launched in September 2021, the "Oser Dire Non" assertiveness course, and 500+ annual corporate interventions; (3) a B2B partnership ecosystem of 300+ companies that includes co-marketing, event participation, and visibility in editorial coverage; and (4) direct-to-consumer merchandise through the L'Optimisme Shop. Founder Catherine Testa published "TDAH et alors?" with Michel Lafon in 2024, extending the brand into ADHD and consumer publishing.

The business model is multi-stream and bootstrapped (no external venture funding). Revenue is generated through quote-based corporate training contracts, partnership/membership fees from the 300+ company network, advertising and sponsorship tied to the newsletter and social audience, and modest e-commerce contribution. Customers include notable enterprises such as Swile, Gymlib, Allianz, BNP Paribas Cardif, and Logitech, spanning HR-tech, insurance, banking, and consumer electronics. The company operates with 39 employees as a privately held, founder-led entity.

Name

LOptimisme.pro

Legal name

What About Smiling SAS

Website

https://loptimisme.pro

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

LOptimisme.pro is a French-language professional media platform and corporate training organization focused on Quality of Life at Work and CSR, serving HR and wellness decision-makers across France and francophone Africa through editorial content, certified training programs, and a 300+ member company partnership network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workplace Well-being Training and Media

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Learning & Training Content Development (EDAGAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Health, Wellness & Self-Care Skills (Sleep, Nutrition, Habits) (EDAMAIAJ)

Keywords

• Workplace mental health training
• Quality of life at work
• Corporate social responsibility media
• Mental health first aid
• Professional training services

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Professional Training Services: In-company training programs on mental health (PSSM certification), well-being at work, and QVCT. Training is delivered in-person and covers topics such as first aid in mental health, stress management, and workplace well-being.
2. Online Courses and Masterclasses: Online training programs including the 'Oser Dire Non' course and masterclasses on ADHD and workplace topics.
3. Media and Content Platform: Professional media platform generating reach and brand authority through editorial content on QVT and RSE topics, supporting training and partnership revenue.
4. Partnership and Sponsorship: Partnership programs offering visibility, directory listings, content diffusion, and event sponsorship opportunities to tools and solutions providers in the QVT/RSE space.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

L'Optimisme.pro is a French professional media and training organization operating a media platform dedicated to Quality of Life at Work (QVT/QVCT) and Corporate Social Responsibility (RSE), complemented by certified corporate training programs (most notably PSSM Mental Health First Aid), in-company workshops, online courses, an ecosystem of 300+ member companies, and an e-commerce boutique for workplace well-being merchandise and books.

Product overview

LOptimisme.pro operates as a professional media and training organization focused on QVCT (Quality of Life at Work and Working Conditions) and RSE (Corporate Social Responsibility). The offering is organized as a platform-plus-services model: the core media platform (loptimisme.pro) publishes content and organizes events for over 300 member companies and reaches 60,000+ weekly newsletter readers and 1 million+ social media followers. Training services are delivered through formation.loptimisme.pro, offering certified programs like PSSM (Premiers Secours en Santé Mentale) for mental health first aid, workplace well-being training, and assertiveness courses. The ecosystem includes La Boutique (loptimisme.shop) for books and positive workplace goods, an online solutions directory (annuaire), and free resources like infographics and white papers. The network also offers company membership and partnership programs for visibility and event sponsorship.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• LOptimisme.pro Media Platform The primary French-language media platform dedicated to QVCT, well-being at work, and mental health. Publishes articles, guides, and resources, and organizes events for HR professionals, managers, and companies committed to workplace transformation.
• Formation Premiers Secours en Santé Mentale (PSSM) Certified 14-hour mental health first aid training program adapted for the workplace. Participants receive a mental health first aider certificate upon completion; the standardized program covers depression, anxiety disorders, psychosis, and addiction.
• Sensibilisations et ateliers santé mentale Shorter awareness sessions (1 hour, half-day, full-day) on mental health topics for teams, designed as precursors to full PSSM certification. Includes conferences and experiential workshops on topics like 'Parlons santé mentale au travail' and 'Comment aider un collègue qui va mal'.
• Formation Bien-être au travail / Bonheur au travail Training programs focused on employee well-being at work and workplace happiness, including conferences and workshops on cultivating positive work environments.
• Formation Oser Dire Non Online course teaching assertiveness and how to say no at work, helping professionals set boundaries and reduce burnout risk. Available as a free guide and paid training module.
• Formation.loptimisme.pro (Online Training Platform) Online training portal offering courses on mental health, well-being at work, and professional development, including the certified PSSM program and assertiveness training.
• Événements et ateliers (digitaux et présentiels) Monthly digital and in-person events, workshops, webinars, and conferences on QVT, mental health, and workplace transformation topics, connecting over 300 member companies through collaborative events.
• Adhésion / Réseau d'entreprises Professional membership network for companies committed to workplace well-being. Members gain access to collaborative events, networking, best-practice sharing, and educational resources.
• La Boutique LOptimisme.shop E-commerce store selling books (including 'Aider' and 'Oser être soi-même au travail'), posters, visual resources, and positive merchandise for companies focused on workplace well-being culture.
• Partenariat et visibilité digitale Partner programs offering digital visibility, content distribution, and event sponsorship opportunities for experts, solution providers, and tools in the workplace engagement and QVT ecosystem.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500+ corporate interventions conducted
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• SwileminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEmployee benefits platform featured as a trusted partner in the L'Optimisme.pro ecosystem of workplace solutions
• GymlibminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate wellness service partner offering employee fitness solutions
• Lefebvre DallozminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLegal publishing company as partner in the professional QVT/RSE ecosystem
• Swiss LifeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInsurance company partner in the workplace well-being ecosystem
• Harmonie MutuelleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealth insurance mutual partner supporting workplace health initiatives
• AlanminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDigital health insurance company as partner in the workplace well-being ecosystem
• AllianzminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInsurance company partner in the professional network
• RandstadminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStaffing company partner in the QVT/RSE professional ecosystem
• Transitions ProminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCareer transition organization (formerly Fongecif) partnered for professional development content
• TreedomminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEnvironmental services company focused on sustainability in the workplace
• BNP Paribas CardifminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInsurance company engaged in mental health mission and disability inclusion initiatives with L'Optimisme.pro

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Modern Health: Global mental health platform combining therapy, coaching, and training for employers. Competes with LOptimisme in workplace mental health training but with a tech-enabled, US-anchored model.
• Spring Health: Mental health benefits platform offering employers assessments, therapy, and coaching. Comparable buyer (HR leaders at large enterprises) and overlapping value proposition in workplace mental health support.
• Wellhub: Corporate wellness platform (formerly Gympass) offering employers a marketplace of fitness, mental health, and well-being benefits. Comparable as a workplace well-being ecosystem player with overlap in employee mental health benefits.
• Lyra Health: Enterprise mental health benefits provider combining therapy, coaching, and self-guided content. Operates in the same workplace mental health category with comparable HR buyer personas.
• Calm Business: Meditation and well-being app with a B2B distribution arm serving employers. Comparable as a workplace well-being subscription, but at much greater scale and centered on digital content versus LOptimisme's training-led model.
• Workplace Options: Global employee assistance program (EAP) and well-being provider serving multinational employers. Comparable as a workplace well-being vendor selling to HR, with overlap in mental health training and manager support services.
• BetterUp: Global coaching and well-being platform serving enterprises with manager and employee development. Overlaps with LOptimisme's manager-focused training and well-being content but at much larger scale and via a tech-led model.
• Headspace for Work: Global mindfulness and mental health platform with an enterprise offering (Headspace for Work). Competes in the same mental health/well-being category LOptimisme targets, though delivered as a tech subscription rather than in-person training.

Direct peers

• Akoya: French corporate wellness and QVT services provider offering workplace well-being programs and HR-focused support. Operates in the same French QVT category with overlapping buyer personas (HR directors, managers).
• Mind: UK mental health charity that, like LOptimisme.pro, runs workplace mental health training and awareness programs for employers and managers. Most directly comparable on mission (workplace mental health) and the training-to-media model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LOptimismePro
• Facebookfacebook.com/LOptimisme.pro
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/loptimismepro
• Instagraminstagram.com/loptimisme.pro

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about LOptimisme.pro