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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
France's startup ecosystem is significantly supported by influential angel investors who provide crucial early-stage funding and mentorship. Prominent figures include Xavier Niel, founder of Iliad, and Frédéric Mazzella, founder of BlaBlaCar. These investors typically contribute between €50,000 and €500,000 per deal, offering not only capital but also strategic guidance and industry expertise. Their involvement is vital for the growth and development of early-stage companies, helping them navigate initial challenges and scale effectively. Xavier Niel, for instance, has invested in numerous startups through his Kima Ventures fund.
France's venture capital landscape is populated by leading firms that drive substantial investments into high-growth startups. Firms such as Partech, Elaia, and Alven are at the forefront, providing significant funding to a wide array of sectors including technology, health, and fintech. Partech, for example, has a diverse portfolio that includes companies like Made.com and Alan. These firms typically engage in Series A to Series C funding rounds, with investment sizes ranging from €1 million to €50 million, facilitating substantial scaling opportunities for startups.
The size and scope of investments in France's startup ecosystem vary, catering to different stages of business growth. Early-stage investments, often provided by angel investors, range from €50,000 to €2 million. For growth-stage companies, venture capital firms offer larger funding rounds, typically between €5 million and €50 million. The scope of these investments spans various sectors, including AI, biotechnology, fintech, and cleantech, reflecting the diverse and dynamic nature of France's entrepreneurial landscape.
France's venture capital and angel investment activity are robust, with a significant number of deals annually. In 2022, over 500 venture capital deals were recorded, amounting to approximately €10 billion in investments. This high level of activity underscores the vibrancy of the French startup ecosystem, with both angel investors and venture capital firms actively seeking out and funding promising startups across a broad spectrum of industries.
The future outlook for France's investment market is highly optimistic. With a continued emphasis on innovation and technology, sectors such as AI, biotechnology, and clean technology are expected to drive substantial growth. Government support through initiatives like La French Tech further bolsters the ecosystem. As global interest in sustainable and innovative solutions increases, France's startups are well-positioned to attract significant international investments, fostering an environment ripe for continued expansion and success.
Support and mentorship are critical components of France's startup ecosystem. Angel investors and venture capitalists often provide more than just financial backing; they offer strategic advice, industry connections, and operational support. Programs like Station F and Paris&Co enhance this support, offering structured mentorship, resources, and access to capital. This comprehensive support system helps startups navigate early challenges and scale effectively.
The French government and various institutions play a pivotal role in nurturing the startup ecosystem. Initiatives such as La French Tech and Bpifrance provide substantial financial support and incentives. Additionally, organizations like Business France offer grants, loans, and advisory services. This extensive support infrastructure is vital for fostering innovation, reducing financial barriers, and promoting sustainable growth within the startup community.
France's startup ecosystem is bolstered by top angel investors, leading venture capital firms, and extensive support systems. With a diverse range of investment sizes and scopes, the market is poised for significant growth. The future outlook remains positive, driven by innovation, government support, and a collaborative environment. As France continues to attract global investments and foster entrepreneurial talent, it stands to become a key player in the global startup landscape, contributing to advancements across various high-growth sectors.
Berlin, Germany - France
Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Retail (& E-Commerce)
Venture Capital Investor at Iris Capital
Venture Capital Investor at Iris Capital
Paris, France
BioTech • FinTech (& Financials services) • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Blockchain (& Cryptos) • Developer tools
Cyril Bertrand is a Partner at Xange Captial where he is responsible for core-technology investments and for the German-speaking area. Cyril has prior venture capital experience at DVC (Munich, Germany) where is was responsible for the Telecom & Semiconductor investments, and at TeleSoft Partners (San Mateo, CA). Prior to that, his 7-year tenure at Alcatel brought him to the position of Director in charge of creating and growing Alcatel’s first generation of 802.11 products across France, Spain and Israel in 2000. Cyril is also a non-exec board director of Apertio (UK), MergeOptics (Germany), Panoratio (Germany), Powerlase (UK) and is an observer at BigMachines (US).
San Francisco Bay Area - California, U.S.A. - Global: U.S.A., Australia, Canada, Germany, U.K., Israel, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, Malta, Iceland
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • FinTech (& Financials services) • A.I. (& Big Data) • Blockchain (& Cryptos) • Consumer
Dr. Elad Gil is a Co-Founder and serves as the Chairman at Color Genomics. He served as Chief Executive Officer at Color Genomics. He served as the Vice President of Corporate Starategy for Twitter. He was also Co-Founder and served as Chief Executive Officer at Mixer Labs / GeoAPIBefore GeoAPI.com. He has a long standing interest in location based services and mobile. He co-founded Google's Mobile Team where he was the first PM on Google Mobile Maps and was involved with the Android acquisition. Prior to Google, he worked at 3 venture backed startups and at McKinsey. He has a Ph.D. from MIT. He is currently an investor and advisor to a number of mobile and social media startups. He is an Advisor of Origami Logic, Bitwise and Anchorage.
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
PropTech • Hardware (& Manufacturing) • Energy • CleanTech • A.I. (& Big Data) • Robotics • Real Estate (& Construction) • DeepTech • Mobility • Woman Focused
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.
Boston - Massachusetts, U.S.A. - Western Europe: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Switzerland, United Kingdom
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Education • BioTech • FinTech (& Financials services) • Hardware (& Manufacturing) • Energy • Retail (& E-Commerce) • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Medical Devices (& Hospital Services) • Healthcare (& Wellness) • Consumer
Vice President, Media & Entertainment, Salesforce Industries at Salesforce
San Francisco Bay Area, Germany - U.S.A. - 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
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • FinTech (& Financials services) • A.I. (& Big Data) • Blockchain (& Cryptos)
Dr. Marek Olszewski is a Co-Founder of Celo. He is a Co-Founder and served as the Chief Technology Officer at Locu. Prior to Locu, Marek was a senior PhD candidate at MIT CSAIL. He is a Facebook Fellow and the recipient of the J. Edgar McAllister Fellowship. He has prior work experience at a number of technology companies including Google, Microsoft (Research) and Sun (Labs). He is also an angel investor.
San Francisco Bay Area, Israel - Global: U.S.A., Australia, Canada, Germany, U.K., Israel, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, Malta, Iceland
Businesses Solutions • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Consumer
CEO/Founder of OurCrowd | Serial Entrepreneur | Venture Capitalist | Angel Investor
London - Paris France - Europe, U.S.A.
Businesses Solutions • CleanTech • Online Social • Consumer
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.