For Xavier Niel, entrepreneurship is visibly passed down from generation to generation. The son of the billionaire and founder of Free, John Niel, follows in his footsteps and has just launched a brand new project that will get people talking… Like father, like son!
In the Niel family, the entrepreneurial spirit seems to be passed down as much as the genes! If Xavier Niel established himself as one of the most influential entrepreneurs in France by founding the company Free, his son is now following in his footsteps…
Xavier Niel’s son follows in his footsteps, his new project gets people talking
In the 16th arrondissement of Paris, a new place could soon become the favorite haunt of entrepreneurs, indicates BFMTV. It is there that a business club imagined by John Niel is due to open in 2026… with the support of his famous father, Xavier Niel! His idea? Open a chic club designed as a real professional meeting space that combines networking, catering, well-being (with at least two swimming pools) and events.
The goal is to create a place where you can conclude a deal as well as take care of yourself or exchange ideas, all in a beautiful mansion acquired in 2015 by the family. To join this club, the annual fee would be around 1,000 euros. A relatively affordable price in the world of private clubs.
Only 24 years old, John Niel was clearly inspired by his father, who himself launched initiatives to support entrepreneurship. For example, he created Station F (in the 13th arrondissement), the largest start-up campus in the world, and the free programming school École 42. But this time, the next generation is on the move!
“The beginnings of a dynasty are beginning to take hold”: are the Niel sons the next generation of the billionaire?
This is clearly what the billionaire, whose fortune is estimated at $10.6 billion according to Forbessince for several years he has been careful to include his sons, Jules and John, in his professional world. So, according to Challengesthe two young men have lunch every week with the management of Iliad, the parent company of Free, founded by Xavier Niel.
“There is a desire to integrate them as for Martin Bouygues or Bernard Arnault. The beginnings of a dynasty begin to take hold“, already confided an acquaintance in 2024. “They are real entrepreneurs and I see them taking responsibility“, explained another source close to the family.
If the eldest, Jules, works at the headquarters of the family holding company NJJ, John Niel is passionate about start-ups and would have even advised his father on certain operations, notably around the BeReal application, in which Xavier Niel had invested a million euros. The youngest of the Niel brothers is therefore concretizing this interest in entrepreneurship with this new business club which will see the light of day in 2026…
