La French Touch Conference

What La French Touch Conference does

La French Touch Conference (LFTC) is a privately held, for-profit event organizer founded in Paris in 2014 by serial entrepreneur Gaël Duval, with co-founder Cédric Giorgi. It produces an itinerant business conference focused on entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity, rotating annually between New York, San Francisco, and Paris, with the explicit mission of building bridges between the French and US startup ecosystems. The flagship product is the multi-city conference itself, which combines keynotes, round-tables, workshops, and networking, and is anchored by two distinctive sub-programs: 'Pitch in the Plane,' a worldwide-first format in which selected startups pitch to investors during a transatlantic Paris-to-New York flight, and a 'Startup Contest' that awards acceleration and US market development support to winners. Across seven editions held through 2018, the event hosted 4,000+ attendees, 300+ speakers, and 50 startup plane pitches spanning 15 nationalities and 90+ hours of content.

The organization operates with a lean core team of 1–10 staff (founder, co-founder, project director, communications, and Paris/NYC production managers) supplemented by volunteers and contractors. Its technology footprint is modest: a website, social channels, Eventbrite-based ticket distribution, and a dedicated Pitch in the Plane microsite. There is no proprietary software product, no API, and no disclosed AI/ML capability. The underlying 'platform' is fundamentally human and experiential — a recurring physical event series.

LFTC's revenue model rests on two streams: ticket sales (one-time access fees via Eventbrite) and corporate sponsorships across lead, main, and supporting tiers. Sponsorship is the strategic backbone of the business, with flagship backing from the French Tech government initiative, plus recurring support from Capgemini, Bpifrance, Idinvest, AXA, Open Skies, WeWork, Euratechnologies, France Digitale, Orrick, Accor, NUMA, 1776, and First Round Capital. The organization is bootstrapped with no disclosed funding rounds, no parent company, and no acquisitions, operating as an independent event IP rather than a venture-backed growth business.

Name

La French Touch Conference

Legal name

La French Touch Conference

Website

https://old.lafrenchtouchconference.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

La French Touch Conference is a privately held Paris-based event organizer that produces an itinerant annual conference rotating between New York, San Francisco, and Paris, connecting French startups with US investors through keynotes, networking, and a unique in-flight pitch competition.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Ecosystem Conferences & Events

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Customer/User Conferences & Client Advisory Boards (THAHAMAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Product & Innovation Summits (Roadmap, Launch Readiness, Innovation Days) (THAHAMAG), Executive Summits & Invitation-Only Forums (MPAGAGAK)

Keywords

• Startup conference events
• Entrepreneurship networking events
• Pitch competition events
• Tech ecosystem events
• Cross-border business events

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Paid attendance to conference events, with tickets sold through Eventbrite platform for various editions in New York, Paris, and San Francisco.
2. Sponsorship: Corporate sponsors pay for visibility and association with the French tech ecosystem event, including lead sponsors, main sponsors, and supporting partners across multiple categories.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

La French Touch Conference is an itinerant business event focused on entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity, designed to build bridges between France, Europe, and other startup ecosystems worldwide. Each edition brings together French and American entrepreneurs, investors, and tech ecosystem leaders for keynotes, round-tables, workshops, and networking sessions in New York, San Francisco, and Paris. Signature components include the 'Pitch in the Plane' transatlantic startup pitch competition and a Startup Contest that connects French startups with US investors and market entry support.

Product overview

La French Touch Conference is a single, unified conference product—an itinerant business event focused on entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity. The core offering consists of the annual multi-city conference featuring keynotes, round-tables, workshops, and networking events. Two notable associated programs are the 'Pitch in the Plane' competition where startups pitch during transatlantic flights, and the 'Startup Contest' which allows French startups to present to international investors. The conference serves as a platform for cross-border networking between French and American startup ecosystems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Pitch in the Plane: A startup pitch competition conducted during the flight from Paris to New York, where selected startups pitch to investors during the transatlantic journey. A worldwide premiere concept developed by LFTC.

Products and services

• La French Touch Conference (LFTC) An itinerant business event with a focus on entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity that brings together French, European and American entrepreneurs, investors, and tech ecosystem leaders for keynotes, round-tables, workshops, and networking sessions; tickets sold via Eventbrite across editions in New York, San Francisco, and Paris.
• Pitch in the Plane A unique startup pitch competition where selected French startups pitch to investors during the flight from Paris to New York City, with the winner announced on stage at the conference and prizes including acceleration programs and US market development support.
• LFTC Startup Contest A competition for promising French startups to pitch their projects to potential partners and investors at the conference, with winners receiving prizes and support for US market development.

Quantifiable outcome

• 7 editions organized since 2014 connecting French and US startup ecosystems
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, major and supporting.

• AXAcoreOthersVenue sponsor for New York editions, hosting the conference at AXA Center. AXA provided their facilities for the 2014 and 2016 editions at AXA Equitable Building in Manhattan.
• French TechflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerGovernment initiative supporting French startups and entrepreneurship ecosystem. Lead sponsor and supporter of the conference from inception.
• Open SkiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAirline partner enabling the 'Pitch in the Plane' competition. Organized pitch sessions during flights and provided support for startup contestants traveling to New York.
• WeWorkcoreOthersHost partner for Paris 2017 edition, providing venue at WeWork Lafayette. General Manager Séverin Naudet spoke at the event.
• Capgemini ConsultingmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerLead sponsor for multiple editions including 2016 and 2017 New York events. Consulting partner supporting the French-American business connection mission.
• EuratechnologiesmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerFrench tech accelerator and ecosystem partner, sponsoring multiple editions. Connects startups with Lille-based innovation ecosystem.
• OrricksupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational law firm providing legal expertise and sponsorship support for the conference across multiple editions.
• INPIsupportingOthersFrench National Institute of Industrial Property, supporting innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem development.
• AccorsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerHospitality partner for multiple editions, providing accommodation support and venue services.
• France DigitalecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation of French digital startups and VCs. Co-organized French Tech Tour initiative and deeply connected to the conference mission.
• 1776supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal incubator and venture fund focused on solving city challenges. Managing Director Rachel Haot participated as speaker.
• NUMAsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational accelerator and innovation platform. Managing Director Aviva Markowicz represented NUMA New York as speaker.
• HiPaysupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPayment solutions provider, subsidiary of Hi-Media, supporting transaction infrastructure for the ecosystem.
• LengowsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerE-commerce SaaS solution provider founded by Mickael Froger, represented at speaker and sponsor levels.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Startup Grind: Startup Grind operates a global network of startup events, conferences, and community programming. It is directly comparable to LFTC as a community-driven startup ecosystem builder with conference-style flagship events connecting founders and investors.
• Slush: Slush is a major European startup conference held annually in Helsinki, bringing together founders, investors, and operators. It is directly comparable as a startup-ecosystem conference with strong investor programming and a distinctive regional identity similar to LFTC's France-US positioning.
• VivaTech: VivaTech is the largest French/European startup and tech conference held annually in Paris. It is directly comparable as a French-focused innovation event bringing together startups, investors, and corporates, though it operates at materially larger scale than LFTC.
• The Next Web (TNW) Conference: TNW Conference is a European tech event focused on innovation, startups, and digital trends. It is directly comparable as a startup/innovation conference with international speakers and a startup-focused audience, mirroring LFTC's positioning for the European tech ecosystem.
• TechCrunch Disrupt: TechCrunch Disrupt is a flagship global startup conference featuring a high-profile startup competition, investor programming, and ecosystem networking — directly comparable to LFTC's core pitch competition and conference format, though serving a global rather than France-US niche.
• LeWeb (ParisOMA / Paris Tech Conference): LeWeb was one of Europe's earliest flagship internet and startup conferences held in Paris. It is directly comparable to LFTC as a Paris-based tech/startup conference targeting the French and international ecosystem, and historically served a similar founder/investor audience.

Others

• France Digitale: France Digitale is the leading French association of digital startups and VC investors and a flagged strategic partner of LFTC. It is comparable as an ecosystem enabler that convenes the French startup community and investors, complementing LFTC's event-driven model.
• Bpifrance Le Hub: Bpifrance Le Hub is the public investment bank's innovation and startup ecosystem platform, and a flagged financial partner of LFTC. It is comparable as a French government-backed ecosystem convener that hosts events and programming for French startups seeking international growth.

Broad incumbents

• Web Summit: Web Summit is one of the largest global tech conferences (Lisbon, Rio, Vancouver, etc.) serving startups, investors, and enterprise buyers. It is comparable as an itinerant, multi-city tech event but operates at vastly larger scale and broader geographic remit than LFTC.
• SXSW: SXSW is a large US-based conglomerate of conferences and festivals covering tech, film, and music. It is comparable as a high-profile innovation event that draws global startups and investors, but with a much broader programming scope than LFTC's France-US bridge focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FrenchTouchConf
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCTt4kc9RsLm7bU3aC73_v7A
• Facebookfacebook.com/lafrenchtouchconference
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/la-french-touch-conference

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about La French Touch Conference