Brian Velborg

I’m a lifelong illustrator and photographer, and the proud father of three lively kids who constantly remind me to see the world with fresh eyes. Whether I’m sketching in my studio, capturing early-morning light on a mountain trail, or volunteering with a community arts association, I’m fueled by curiosity and a desire to connect people through creativity. Outdoor adventures keep my perspective wide-angled, and mentoring others—especially young artists—grounds my work in purpose. Above all, I believe stories and images gain their true power when they help someone else feel a little more at home in the world.

brian
Illustration of Heliup raising €10M to disrupt urban mobility

Heliup raises €10M to disrupt urban mobility

Few predicted that rooftops would be at the core of Europe’s energy transformation. But with fresh investment and a sharp focus, Heliup is redefining how buildings contribute to the urban energy equation. Correcting the narrative: not urban mobility, but urban energy When I first saw the headline—”Heliup raises €10M to disrupt urban mobility”—I expected electric […]

Intern pay in 2024: what do students really earn?

While internships are seen as crucial stepping stones into professional life, their financial value varies greatly across industries. Intern pay in 2024 is shaping up to be a more complex issue than a single national average can reflect. Across states and industries, students entering the job market are finding vastly different financial realities. From six-figure

Comparaison de la fortune de Steve Ballmer en 2024 avec celle de Bill Gates

Steve Ballmer’s fortune in 2024: is he richer than Gates?

One surprising shift in 2024 drew attention across Silicon Valley: a former CEO quietly edged past his legendary predecessor. When I heard someone casually ask, “Is Steve Ballmer richer than Gates now?”, I paused. It sounded like the kind of rhetorical question that fills tech forums and dinner conversations. But in 2024, for a brief

Sergey Brin in 2024: what’s left of the Google empire?

After years in the shadows, Sergey Brin has returned to the helm—not as a figurehead, but as a coder, a strategist, and an active contributor in the high-stakes evolution of Google’s artificial intelligence ambitions. The return of a reluctant retiree In 2019, Brin and Larry Page handed the reins of Alphabet to Sundar Pichai, stepping

Larry Ellison’s net worth in 2024: the Oracle co-founder’s fortune

The name Larry Ellison has long been tied to Silicon Valley power plays and headline-making fortune swings. In 2024, his financial arc didn’t just curve upward—it soared, fueled by Oracle’s meteoric stock performance and strategic tech positioning. Larry Ellison’s staggering numbers in 2024 By the close of December 2024, Larry Ellison’s net worth was estimated

Illustration de Footbar levant 3,1 M€ pour innover dans le suivi du football

Footbar raises €3.1M to innovate football tracking tech

Professional tools are increasingly becoming staples for amateurs, and nowhere is this more obvious than in football training tech. Among the rising players is French startup Footbar, whose wearable tracker is finding its way onto legs well beyond Europe’s elite clubs. Tracking the story behind the €3.1M claim Initially, reports surfaced suggesting that Footbar had

Image illustrant la levée de fonds de 3,3 M€ par Finishers pour développer sa plateforme de sports d’endurance

Finishers raises €3.3M to grow its endurance sports platform

Across France and much of Europe, endurance athletes are leaning on apps and online platforms to plan their seasons. One name keeps appearing: Finishers. This rising player in the sports tech scene just secured a substantial round of investment aimed at expanding its reach into new markets and features. Finishers closes €3.3M round to scale

Extrait Kbis mettant en évidence l'importance de connaître une entreprise française

Why the Kbis extract is crucial to know any French company

If you’ve ever tried to understand how a French company operates or even whether it properly exists, there’s one document that cuts through the noise: the Kbis extract. It’s dry, bureaucratic, nearly invisible to the casual observer—and absolutely foundational. What the Kbis extract really is The Kbis extract is often described as the ‘identity card’

Illustration de l’évolution du marché des transferts de football sur dix ans

10 years of transfer windows: how football’s market changed

Over the past ten years, the football transfer market has not only evolved — it has been reshaped completely. Strategic bets on youth, record-breaking fees, and regulatory changes have redefined both club agendas and player trajectories. From roots to revolution The idea behind the transfer window system was simple: create structure. Launched in the 2002/03

Is it risky to send your tax return by email?

As tax season creeps closer, a recurring question lands in my inbox: “Is it risky to send your tax return by email?” For many, emailing a PDF to their accountant feels fast and easy. But that convenience may come at a significant cost—your data security. Why unsecured email creates exposure Standard email services like Gmail,

Emmanuel Macron: salary, studies, and how he rose to power

From philosophy classes to presidential decrees, Emmanuel Macron’s story is one of contrasts—a banker who became a reformist politician, a civil servant who bypassed established parties to take the highest office in France. Questions about his salary, his schooling, and the speed of his ascent are not just about curiosity—they speak to the fabric of

Equal opportunities in 2024: myth or measurable reality?

Talk of equal opportunity often stirs optimism. It implies a system where success depends on merit, not background. But beneath this hopeful surface, what do the numbers in 2024 actually reveal? Progress with limits: where equality can be felt There’s no denying it—some aspects of American workplaces have changed. Growth in representation and adjustments in

EDF now recruits through sport: here’s how it works

EDF now recruits through sport: here’s how it works

The worlds of athletics and engineering don’t usually collide, but EDF — France’s leading energy provider — is reshaping that narrative. Recently, the group launched an unconventional recruitment initiative that prioritizes sports, not as leisure, but as a decisive tool for identifying workforce potential. When character beats the CV If you’re imagining a fast track

Students taking advantage of a €250 travel deal this summer

The €250 student travel deal causing a buzz this summer

In the last few weeks, social media feeds have erupted with what many are calling “the €250 student travel deal” — a phrase that instantly triggers images of all-inclusive summer adventures across Europe for next to nothing. But when I started digging, the truth proved a little murkier. Where the buzz began On May 17th,

Talent agents and taxes: do you need to declare them?

When a promoter cuts a check to a talent agent, that’s money. But who owes taxes on it — the agent, the artist, both? The answer is more complex than it appears, and tax professionals warn: misreporting can cost you. Understanding who reports what Many talent agencies assume they should only declare the commission they

A good photo for your CV with professional lighting

A good photo on your CV: how to take one like a pro

Including a photo on your CV has long been a debated topic. But as hiring practices evolve, especially in visually driven industries, one thing is clear: if you decide to include a photo, it has to be impeccable. Why an image can matter more than you think Whether you’re applying for a design job in

Illustration de conseils pour être embauché plus rapidement

Want to get hired faster? Follow these proven recruitment tips

The job market in 2025 is shifting fast, and standing out demands more than a solid resume. Amid record job postings and fluctuating hiring timelines, some job seekers are cutting through the noise — and getting hired faster — by applying smarter strategies instead of just applying more often. Broaden your criteria to catch new

Opportunity Zones: how to file your taxes the right way

For many, the real estate boom and stock market surges of the past decade have created a new question: how do you turn big gains into long-term value without getting buried in taxes? For some, Opportunity Zones (OZs) have offered a compelling—if complex—answer. Understanding the Opportunity Zone framework Opportunity Zones were established by the Tax

1099-S and tax returns: what you need to know in 2024

1099-S and tax returns: what you need to know in 2024

Many taxpayers assume selling property is straightforward until a 1099-S arrives and turns their season upside down. As I’ve seen over the past year, confusion around this one tax form can lead to late filings, penalties, or worse—IRS notices. So let’s take a clear-eyed look at what 1099-S means for your 2024 return. Understanding what

Schéma montrant comment déclarer l’ERC sur le formulaire 1120S

How to report the ERC on Form 1120S correctly?

As amended ERC claims continue to be processed, S corporations are grappling with how to accurately handle the credit’s impact on their federal tax returns. The situation has created confusion—and given the amounts involved, the stakes are high. Understanding ERC’s dual effect on Form 1120S The Employee Retention Credit (ERC), established under the CARES Act,

How to really improve your LinkedIn profile in 2024

LinkedIn has transitioned from a digital résumé into a powerful search engine for talent. The way I see it, 2024 has made one thing clear: managing your profile like an SEO asset is no longer optional — it’s survival. Whether you’re job hunting, building a personal brand, or just expanding your professional reach, your LinkedIn

How many stamps do you need for a paper tax return?

Every year, millions of Americans reach for a pen and printer instead of e-filing—opting to mail their tax returns the old-fashioned way. And every spring, the question quietly echoes across post office lines: “How many stamps does this thing need?” The answer, as I’ve confirmed through multiple channels, is more nuanced than most would think.

Top French universities in 2024: who made the list?

For years, Parisian universities have held a firm grip on the reputation of French higher education. But in 2024, global rankings have started to paint a more granular picture of academic excellence in France that goes beyond just prestige and proximity to the Seine. Qs rankings confirm PSL’s dominance, but gaps are closing According to

Check & Visit raises €12.5M to expand in real estate tech

After years of flying under the radar, Check & Visit is attracting attention by digitizing one of the most analog facets of real estate: property inspections. While the title might suggest fresh capital just landed in their vault, the trail of money tells a more complex story. Shifting the gears of real estate with automation

Illustration du processus de candidature au fonds d'innovation de Canva et de ses enjeux

Canva’s Innovation Fund: how to apply and what’s at stake

As momentum builds around digital design platforms, a less-visible but growing battleground is forming behind the scenes — in the code, in the ecosystems, and quietly, in funding programs positioned to shape who gets to innovate and how far they can go. Canva’s Innovation Fund is one of those levers. What the innovation fund actually

BonjourCyber raises €1M to strengthen cybersecurity in France

As I dug through the intricate landscape of cybersecurity startups in France, one name kept surfacing — BonjourCyber. Just three years after its founding, the Paris-based startup is making waves by raising €1 million to better defend SMEs against growing digital threats. BonjourCyber closes €1M round to support its mission The recent fundraising, confirmed by

Blaise Matuidi’s post-football life: from athlete to entrepreneur

Blaise Matuidi’s post-football life: from athlete to entrepreneur

When Blaise Matuidi retired from professional football, few expected that his next chapter would involve tech, finance, and a network of elite athletes turned investors. These days, the former World Cup winner doesn’t track his performance in minutes played, but in capital deployed. Retirement marked a start, not an end Matuidi officially walked away from

Illustration pour la couverture d’assurance professionnelle en 2024

Professional insurance: what does it actually cover in 2024?

Professional liability insurance has often been sold as a catch-all safety net, a shield for service providers from professional missteps. Yet, in 2024, that promise—”what does it actually cover”—comes with layers of nuance and unexpected boundaries. What professional liability really picks up—and what it doesn’t Also referred to as errors and omissions (E&O) insurance, professional

Personne feignant un arrêt maladie

Faking a sick leave: what risks are you really taking?

In a world shifting toward flexible work and greater autonomy, the temptation to fake a sick day can be strong — sometimes too strong. But behind what may seem like a harmless workaround lies a web of real risks, often underestimated by those taking their chances. Faking a sick leave: what risks are you really

Illustration du parcours d'Arnaud Fouillade entre Audencia et le PSG

From Audencia to PSG: the surprising career path of Arnaud Fouillade

How does someone go from late nights auditing spreadsheets to managing finances at one of Europe’s most recognized football clubs? That’s the story of Arnaud Fouillade, an Audencia graduate whose professional path defies expectations—landing him in the executive halls of Paris Saint-Germain. Academic foundation rooted in precision Born and educated in France, Arnaud Fouillade began

Abelio sécurisant 2 M€ pour accélérer sa croissance

Abelio secures €2M to accelerate its growth

While headlines might suggest a modest €2 million injection into Abellio, a deeper dive reveals a more layered reality involving acquisitions, infrastructure deals, and a shifting corporate landscape far beyond that number. Understanding the real players behind the figures The initial claim that “Abelio secures €2M to accelerate its growth” prompted more than a simple

Illustration pour l’article « What is the DU DG? A deep dive with IMT-BS director H. Casteran »

What is the DU DG? A deep dive with IMT-BS director H. Casteran

Something unusual is brewing behind the white walls of Institut Mines-Télécom Business School (IMT-BS). Each month, Director General Herbert Castéran sits down for a recorded tea break—an informal setting with carefully chosen words. The series is called “Le Thé du DG.” And while the warm tones may charm, what’s poured into these cups is anything

Illustration for free Stanford courses that could enhance a CV

These 9 free Stanford courses could instantly boost your CV

Stanford University has long been synonymous with academic rigor and innovation. Now, that prestige is accessible to anyone with an internet connection and a desire to grow—at zero cost. And yes, it might just give your CV that hard-to-get edge in a competitive job market. Stanford’s free online courses: who they really help When I

72% of Polytechnique graduates land jobs before graduation: what it reveals

In an era where job uncertainty looms for many graduates, one institution repeatedly defies the odds: l’École Polytechnique in France. The figure making headlines is this—72% of graduates land jobs before graduation. The reality behind the number At first glance, the 72% figure is striking. But digging further, I found that for the class of