France has a vibrant startup ecosystem, particularly centered in Paris, which is becoming a major European tech hub. As of 2023, France is home to around 20,000 startups. The French government supports innovation through initiatives like La French Tech, which provides funding and resources for startups. In 2022, French startups raised approximately €10 billion in venture capital. These factors collectively highlight France's dynamic and rapidly evolving startup landscape.
Size of the Market
As of 2023, France's startup ecosystem includes around 20,000 startups. In 2022, these startups attracted approximately €10 billion in venture capital funding. This substantial investment underscores the ecosystem's growth potential and robust nature. The market's size and financial backing reflect its capacity to foster innovation and sustain a competitive edge within Europe and beyond.
Key Strengths
France's startup ecosystem is characterized by several key strengths, including strong government support, a high-quality education system, and a strategic location in Europe. The country excels in sectors such as fintech, healthtech, and deep tech. These strengths are bolstered by France's robust industrial base and government support, positioning it as a leader in the European startup scene.
Major Hubs
Paris is the primary hub of France’s startup ecosystem, known for its vibrant tech scene and concentration of startups. The city attracts entrepreneurs and investors from around the world. Major corporations and research institutions in Paris foster a collaborative environment for innovation. The dynamic ecosystem in Paris is instrumental in driving France's economic growth and technological advancements.
Emerging Hubs
In addition to Paris, emerging hubs like Lyon, Marseille, and Toulouse are gaining prominence in France’s startup ecosystem. Lyon is known for its strengths in biotech and digital industries, Marseille for its focus on maritime and logistics tech, and Toulouse for aerospace and advanced manufacturing. These emerging hubs are expanding the reach and diversity of France’s entrepreneurial landscape, offering new opportunities for innovation and growth.
Support Systems
France’s startup ecosystem benefits from a strong network of incubators, accelerators, and co-working spaces that provide essential support and resources for entrepreneurs. Initiatives like Station F and Paris&Co have been pivotal in fostering a supportive environment for startups, providing access to resources, mentorship, and funding. This supportive infrastructure is crucial for nurturing early-stage companies and fostering a collaborative entrepreneurial environment.
Challenges
Despite its strengths, the French startup ecosystem faces challenges such as bureaucratic hurdles and high labor costs. Navigating regulatory frameworks can be time-consuming and complex for startups. Additionally, labor costs in France are relatively high, which can impact the profitability and scalability of new ventures. Addressing these challenges requires strategic efforts and supportive policies to sustain growth and competitiveness.
Opportunities and Future Outlook
France has significant opportunities for growth in sectors like fintech, healthtech, and deep tech. The country's strong focus on sustainability and green technology drives innovation in renewable energy and environmental technologies. France's strategic location and trade agreements provide startups with opportunities for international expansion. With continued investment and innovation, France's startup ecosystem is poised for further growth, contributing significantly to the global innovation landscape.
Resilience and Adaptability
France's startup ecosystem demonstrates remarkable resilience and adaptability. The country's commitment to innovation, coupled with strong government and institutional support, enables startups to navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities. The diverse talent pool and high-quality research institutions attract entrepreneurs and investors alike, ensuring sustained growth and success in the face of global economic shifts and market dynamics.
Case Studies: Successful Funding Rounds with Angel Investors on Angels Partners
Venture ^ People ^ Capital /\ To contact me >> jean@2lr.com
Venture ^ People ^ Capital /\ To contact me >> jean@2lr.com
Shaun Abrahamson
Investing in PropTech • Hardware (& Manufact...
Los Angeles - California, U.S.A. - Germany - Europe: Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Romania, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal, Sweden, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Slovakia, Norway, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Icela
Previous Investments
• CrowdTwist:
$20000
• Hades:
$1900000 (Seed Round)
• Radiator Labs:
$2400000 (Seed Round)
• Radiator Labs:
$300000 (Pre Seed Round)
• Radiator Labs:
$220000 (Pre Seed Round)
• Arbor:
$2600000 (Seed Round)
• ChargeLab:
$15000000 (Series A)
• ChargeLab:
$4000000 (Seed)
• ChargeLab:
$1000000 (Pre Seed)
• Covetool:
$30000000 (Series B)
• Covetool:
$800000 (Seed)
• Electric Visionary Aircrafts:
(Convertible Note)
• Electric Visionary Aircrafts:
(Seed)
• HAAS Alert:
$5000000 (Seed)
• HAAS Alert:
$1000000 (Seed)
• Partsimony:
$2000000 (Seed)
• Oonee:
(Pre Seed)
• Pallon (fka Hades):
$2000000 (Seed)
• Aquagenuity:
(Pre Seed)
• FIRMUS:
(Pre Seed)
• FIRMUS:
(Convertible Note)
• Metalmark Innovations:
(Pre Seed)
• CoInspect:
$150000 (Seed)
• CoInspect:
$2000000 (Seed)
• Hubbster:
(Seed)
• Evolve Energy:
(Pre Seed)
• Kift:
(Convertible Note)
• Food for All:
$700000 (Seed)
• Flair:
$810000 (Seed)
• Flair:
$300000 (Convertible Note)
• Flair:
$230000 (Convertible Note)
• Flair:
$330000 (Seed)
• Flair:
$130000 (Convertible Note)
• GreenQ:
(Convertible Note)
• Thrilling:
(Angel)
• RoadBotics by Michelin:
$4000000 (Seed)
• RoadBotics by Michelin:
(Seed)
• Coord:
$5000000 (Series A)
• Blueprint Power:
$4000000 (Series A)
• Miles:
$4000000 (Seed)
• Rentlogic:
$2000000 (Seed)
• Rentlogic:
(Series Unknown)
• Campsyte:
$100000 (Seed)
• VERSATILE:
$1000000 (Seed)
• Bowery Farming:
$8000000 (Seed)
• Citymart:
$750000 (Seed)
• Citymart:
(Seed)
• Kelvin:
$2000000 (Seed)
• Kelvin:
$300000 (Pre Seed)
• Kelvin:
$220000 (Pre Seed)
• BlocPower:
$200000 (Pre Seed)
• BlocPower:
$600000 (Pre Seed)
• Rachio:
$7000000 (Series A)
• Rachio:
$500000 (Convertible Note)
• Rachio:
$700000 (Convertible Note)
• Future Motion:
(Series A)
• Architizer:
(Series A)
• Architizer:
(Convertible Note)
• Mark43:
$11000000 (Series A)
• LogCheck:
(Seed)
• Valet Anywhere (VA):
$1000000 (Seed)
• Valet Anywhere (VA):
(Convertible Note)
• Revivn:
(Seed)
• BRCK:
$1000000 (Seed)
• BikeSpike:
(Convertible Note)
• Skycatch:
$3000000 (Convertible Note)
• Dash:
$1000000 (Seed)
• KIWI:
(Convertible Note)
Shaun Abrahamson
Los Angeles - California, U.S.A. - Germany - Europe: Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Romania, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal, Sweden, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Slovakia, Norway, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Icela
Investing In
PropTech • Hardware (& Manufacturing) • Energy • CleanTech • A.I. (& Big Data) • Robotics • Real Estate (& Construction) • DeepTech • Mobility • Woman Focused
Description
Most Interested In
We're interested in teams re-imagining cities in 3 areas - GHG reduction, climate adaptation and solving problems associated with high density (like traffic or public safety).
Cities are complex, so founders continue inspire and amaze us by identifying new systemic issues and solutions. If you're re-imagining city life, we'd love to hear from you.
Not Interested In
We don't invest in edtech or healthtech. Certainly not a vote on whether we want to see these categories succeed, we just think they need additional focus/skills which we don't have. That said public health is a growing area of interesting.
Shaun Abrahamson is a Founder and serves as Managing Partner at Urban Us. Shaun is a Member of the Investment Committee, and he leads investment selection and communications with portfolio companies, members of the Network, and limited partners in Fund II. Before founding Fund I, Shaun was an active angel investor, investing in more than 20 firms between 2007 and 2013 in his personal capacity. Early-stage investing and advising is informed by his experiences building MediaSentry (acquired by SafeNet in 2005), Starmedia Network (acquired by France Telecom) and Oculus Technologies (MIT CADLab spin-out). In 1999, he was an early employee at govWorks, one of the earliest startups focused on serving local government. govWorks was ahead of the market and failed during the dot-com bust, becoming the subject of the documentary Startup.com in 2001. Shaun has written for organizations such as The Economist Intelligence Unit, The Huffington Post, and CNNMoney. Crowdstorm, published by Wiley, was his first book and is a guide to working with large online crowds to find and evaluate ideas. The book is based on Shaun's experience working with Starbucks, Omnicom Group, $300 House, and Life Edited. Shaun has an MSc from MIT; an MBA from the Berlin School of Creative Leadership; and a BSc from the University of Cape Town. He is also an Angel Investor.
Sofia Hmich
Investing in Businesses Solutions • CleanTec...
London , Paris France..., U.S.A.
Previous Investments
• Meatable:
$3500000
• Vinaya:
$3000000
• Future Positive Capital:
(early stage)
• HomeTree UK:
(early stage)
• Ÿnsect:
(mid stage)
• Streetbees:
(early stage)
• what3words:
(early stage)
• Beta-i - Association for the promotion of Innovation and Entrepreneurship:
(mid stage)
• Emerge Education, LLC:
(early stage)
• Seedcamp:
(late stage)
• Startupbootcamp:
(mid stage)
• Techstars:
(late stage)
• Otium Capital, Venture Capital Fund focused on the online leisure and local distribution markets:
(early stage)
• Aerones:
$32000000 (Series A)
• Aerones:
$8000000 (Seed)
• Brilliant Planet:
$12000000 (Series A)
• Cowboy:
$80000000 (Series C)
• Cowboy:
$27000000 (Series B)
• Cervest:
$23000000 (Series A)
• Cervest:
$8000000 (Convertible Note)
• Cervest:
$4000000 (Seed)
Sofia Hmich
London - Paris France - Europe, U.S.A.
Investing In
Businesses Solutions • CleanTech • Online Social • Consumer
Description
Founder at Future Positive Capital
Sofia Hmich is a Co-Founder and serves as General Partner at Future Positive Capital. Sofia's career spans technology innovation, investment and social impact. Prior to founding Future Positive Capital, she managed early stage investments at Index Ventures, Europe's top venture capital firm, working directly with leading European angel investor Robin Klein. There she led Index's investments in dozens of companies, such as CityMapper, The Food Assembly, Farfetch, Transferwise, ROLI, PactCoffee, Kano, and Seedcamp III. Before joining Index, Sofia worked for technology companies like Google and Deezer, and founded three education nonprofits. Sofia was chosen as Forbes 30 Under 30 in Finance, is a WEF Global Shaper, a Founder of the Future at Founders Forum, and is an expert advisor to the French government to define the "France 2020" vision. With her international experience, intellectual and philosophical curiosity and a love of rapid-fire conversation (in no less than four languages), Sofia is also an engaging and sought-after speaker and mentor.
Chloé Giard
Investing in Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) &b...
Paris France, France
Previous Investments
• MWM:
(late stage)
• Meero:
(early stage)
• October:
(mid stage)
• #NOM?:
(early stage)
• Tanker:
(early stage)
• Agriconomie.com:
(early stage)
• Hiflow (Expedicar):
• Ogury:
(early stage)
• papernest:
(early stage)
• Botify:
(mid stage)
• wefox:
(early stage)
• Molotov:
(early stage)
• Nosto:
(mid stage)
• Onfido:
(early stage)
• Clipperton Finance:
(late stage)
Chloé Giard
Paris France, France
Investing In
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • IT (& TMT) • Media • BioTech • Businesses Solutions • Hardware (& Manufacturing) • Energy • Retail (& E-Commerce) • CleanTech • A.I. (& Big Data) • Material Science
Description
VC Investment Director at Idinvest Partners
Venture Capitalist @ Idinvest Partners
TMT investments in Europe
3 years experience in Invetment bank, then founded S2B.
I am now working as an in dependant VC consultant, specialized in Startup Scouting in Israel for European Corporates
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