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In an era where creativity and business often collide, a French startup founder has taken innovation to a new level by selling ad space on his wedding tuxedo to pay for his big day.

Dagobert Renouf, a tech entrepreneur from Lille, France, turned his wedding outfit into a full-blown marketing project. The 33-year-old managed to get 26 startups to sponsor his tuxedo, each paying to have their company logo embroidered on the suit he wore during his wedding ceremony on October 25.

“Big thanks to the 26 startups who helped us pay for our wedding. It was a beautiful day,” Renouf wrote on X (formerly Twitter), posting photos of himself in a unique tuxedo covered in colorful brand patches. The post quickly went viral, sparking both applause and amusement online.

A Start-Up Twist To Wedding Tradition

Renouf’s idea, which he first shared back in July, began as a joke, but soon became a real business pitch. He offered startups the chance to sponsor his wedding attire as a form of “advertising,” allowing them to treat their contribution as a marketing expense.

“Currently getting people to sponsor my wedding and pass it as a business expense under advertising. Sold 7 spots today,” he had written in an earlier X post, attaching a sketch of the proposed design.

Within weeks, all 26 slots were sold out. The entrepreneur then collaborated with a local tailor to create the one-of-a-kind tuxedo, embroidered with startup logos from various sectors, including AI, SaaS, and digital tools. His own company, CompAI, also bought a sponsorship slot.

According to Renouf, the sponsorships brought in about USD 7,500 (approximately Rs 6.2 lakh). Of that amount, nearly USD 5,500 (Rs 4.5 lakh) went into designing and producing the custom tuxedo itself. After taxes, Renouf said he still had around USD 2,000 left over. “Sold USD 10k, then USD 2.5k taxes, then USD 5.5k suit. So basically it paid for the suit + USD 2k,” he shared on X, adding that the project was as much about creativity as it was about funding. “It wasn’t just about the money,” he later wrote. “I wanted to turn a personal moment into something fun, memorable, and a little bit crazy — that’s what startups are about.”

Mixed Reactions Online

The internet was quick to react. While many hailed Renouf for his “bold and brilliant marketing stunt,” others questioned whether turning a wedding into an advertising campaign went too far. “You’re a mad man, I love it,” one user commented. Another joked, “Open for permanent tattoos on kids?” Some even suggested he should auction the tuxedo for charity or as a collector’s piece.

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Others, however, expressed sympathy for his bride, saying they “felt bad for his wife” for having to share her wedding day with 26 brands.

Renouf, who previously faced burnout after multiple failed startups, called the sponsorship project a symbol of resilience and creative freedom. “People often think weddings have to be traditional or expensive,” he said. “But this was my way of doing something unique — and proving that even the strangest ideas can pay off.”

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Whether his “sponsored tuxedo” becomes a new wedding trend or remains a one-time viral stunt, one thing is certain, Renouf’s unconventional idea has left its mark on both the startup world and the internet.

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