Attitude SI, a French IT services company, recently entered the Spanish market by establishing its subsidiary, Actitud TI, in Madrid. Led by Alain Tissedre, the company has set up operations in Madrid Investment Attraction’s coworking space, where it has found the ideal environment to explore the market and grow.
In this interview, Tissedre shares insights into the expansion process, the key role played by Madrid Investment Attraction, and his future plans in the region.
M.I.A.: What is Attitude SI, and what is its value proposition?
Alain Tissedre: We are an IT services company founded in 2012, with twelve employees and an office in Toulouse. In France, we operate across multiple areas, including IT services, data storage, and cybersecurity.
Within cybersecurity, we distribute a product called Parallels, developed by a Canadian company.
In 2023, one of our distribution partners introduced us to ADM Tools, a major IT wholesaler in Burgos, which opened the door to the Spanish market. I decided to explore it further. At the same time, I connected with representatives from the Franco-Spanish Chamber of Commerce and Madrid Investment Attraction, and everything aligned. Ultimately, I analysed the Spanish market with the goal of participating in the Madrid Tech Show 2024 and securing an office in the coworking space that same year.
M.I.A.: When did Actitud TI, your Spanish subsidiary, move into Madrid Investment Attraction’s coworking space?
A.T.: In June 2024. After attending the trade fair, I decided to establish a company in Spain, which we named Actitud TI—short for “Tecnología Informática” (IT Technology).
Currently, we are still based in the coworking space near Jacinto Benavente Square, but we are looking for a permanent office, as we know we can’t stay here indefinitely. I’m based in France, but I travel to Madrid several days each month.
M.I.A.: Is Madrid your first international expansion? Have you considered other cities in Spain or Europe?
A.T.: Yes, Madrid is our first international expansion, and no, we haven’t considered other cities.
The opportunity to work with ADM Tools, Madrid Investment Attraction, and the Franco-Spanish Chamber of Commerce gave us a solid entry point into the Spanish market.
One key takeaway from my research is that Spain is not a single market but a collection of regional markets, so choosing the right city was essential. For us, Madrid was the clear choice due to its language, proximity, business-friendly environment, corporate ecosystem, and strong economy. Our product targets SMEs, and we know that many SME headquarters are located in and around Madrid, making it the perfect base.
M.I.A.: How have the Franco-Spanish Chamber and Madrid Investment Attraction supported your expansion?
A.T.: Both organizations provide valuable insights on the Spanish market, business relationships, key industry data, and sector-specific trends. Our primary interest was cybersecurity, and Madrid Investment Attraction informed us that this sector is expected to grow by 23% in the coming years.
They also provided crucial information on Spain’s infrastructure, business setup processes, and data center locations.
Additionally, they helped us recruit commercial talent. Madrid Investment Attraction connected us with engineering associations and the Ministry of Labor, which assisted us in crafting job postings and hiring strategies.
Their office is conveniently located near the coworking space, which has been a significant advantage. Just last month, I needed guidance on navigating the Spanish labour market. A project manager visited our office and explained the hiring process, labour regulations, and best practices for job postings.
Madrid Investment Attraction is more than just a workspace—it’s a strategic partner that offers invaluable support.
M.I.A.: Do you currently have any clients in Madrid?
A.T.: Not yet, but with the help of Madrid Investment Attraction and the Chamber, we are actively building our network. I am currently working with a company that will assist us in identifying potential clients.
M.I.A.: What kind of professionals have you hired?
A.T.: We started by hiring two Spanish sales representatives. Once we secure enough work and clients, we will bring in engineers to establish a local development team.
We recently published job postings, and in two months, I’ll have a clearer picture of how easy or challenging it is to recruit talent here.
Our short-term goal is to sign our first client by early September, which would be a key milestone. Our financial objective for the year is to generate between €50,000 and €100,000 in revenue to cover costs and set the stage for growth.
M.I.A.: What are the advantages of doing business in Madrid? What advice would you give to other companies considering moving here?
A.T.: The people in Madrid are incredibly welcoming. Business here moves faster and is easier to navigate than in France. The infrastructure is also excellent—Barajas Airport is just a 30-minute ride from the city centre, whereas in Paris, access is more complicated.
For companies looking to enter the Spanish market, I strongly recommend working with Madrid Investment Attraction. If you don’t have an existing network, market entry can be challenging, but they always have the right connections to help.
