La French Tech

What La French Tech does

La French Tech (Mission French Tech) is a French government mission established in 2013 and attached to the Direction Générale des Entreprises within the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty. Headquartered at Station F in Paris (5 parvis Alan Turing, 75013 Paris), the mission is staffed by 319 civil servants organised across six divisions (Management and Cabinet Office, Operations, Network, Programmes, Support, and Communication) under Director Clara Chappaz, with Anne Le Hénanff as the supervising Minister delegated for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs. Its mandate is to deploy public policies supporting French startups and scale-ups and to federate the national and international startup ecosystem.

The mission operates a portfolio of named public programmes rather than a single product. Flagship initiatives include French Tech Next40/120 (120 elite scale-ups), French Tech 2030 (startups developing strategic technology for French sovereignty), French Tech Tremplin (equal-opportunity entrepreneurship, launched 2019), French Tech Central (public service access, launched 2017), the French Tech Visa (international talent), and Je choisis la French Tech (procurement matchmaking). Programme delivery is executed through a network of 115 certified Capitals and Communities across 57 countries, mobilising approximately 1,100 volunteers and engaging with 90 institutional partners.

La French Tech is not a commercial entity and does not generate revenue. Its funding is allocated by the French Ministry, and all programmes are provided free of charge to beneficiaries. Its "go-to-market" is community-led and event-driven: it curates the French Tech brand at major venues such as VivaTech, runs matchmaking between startups and public/private buyers, and is targeting a doubling of public and private startup procurement by 2027. By VivaTech 2026, 23 major corporate groups had collectively committed over €2 billion in purchases from French startups via Je choisis la French Tech, and the programme was extended across Europe under the "Choose European Tech" banner.

Name

La French Tech

Legal name

Administration du ministère de l'Économie, des Finances et de la Souveraineté industrielle, énergétique et numérique

Website

https://lafrenchtech.gouv.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

La French Tech is a French government mission that deploys public-policy programmes (French Tech Next40/120, French Tech 2030, French Tech Tremplin, French Tech Visa, Je choisis la French Tech) to support and federate the French startup and scale-up ecosystem through a 115-strong network spanning 57 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Startup Ecosystem Support

akta.pro primary industry

Science, Technology & Innovation Administration (National R&D Policy) (BPAIAAAK)

Keywords

• Startup ecosystem support
• Innovation policy programs
• Scale-up acceleration
• Public procurement facilitation
• Tech entrepreneurship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Funding: La French Tech is a government initiative funded by the French Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty. It does not generate commercial revenue but deploys public policies to support the French start-up ecosystem.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

La French Tech (Mission French Tech) is the French government's public initiative that coordinates and supports the national technology startup ecosystem. It does not sell products or services; instead, it runs selective and open programs (such as Next40/120, French Tech 2030, Tremplin, Central, Rise, French Tech Visa, and Je choisis la French Tech), animates a network of Capital and Community structures, and facilitates access to public decision-makers and large corporate buyers for French tech startups and scale-ups.

Product overview

La French Tech is a portfolio of government support programmes and initiatives for the French startup and scale-up ecosystem, not a single unified product but rather a coordinated ecosystem of named programmes. The core offerings include: French Tech 2030 (for strategic technology startups), French Tech Next40/120 (for top-performing scale-ups), French Tech Tremplin (for underrepresented entrepreneurs), and French Tech Central (for startup-public service coordination). Supporting programmes include French Tech Rise, the French Tech Visa (international talent facilitation), and 'Je choisis la French Tech' (public/private procurement programme). These are complemented by the French Tech Académie training and a network of 115 Capital and Community organizations throughout France and internationally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• French Tech Next40/120: Support programme bringing together France's most successful scale-ups and supporting them as they scale up and expand internationally.
• French Tech 2030
• French Tech Tremplin
• French Tech Central
• Je choisis la French Tech
• French Tech Visa
• French Tech Correspondents

Products and services

• French Tech Next40/120 Flagship annual program that identifies and supports French hyper-growth startups and scale-ups, providing them with visibility, resources, and access to public decision-makers. Targets high-growth French tech companies.
• French Tech 2030 Program supporting startups developing strategic technologies aligned with the France 2030 plan, including AI, digital, energy, and other priority sectors. Targets French tech startups in strategic technology fields.
• French Tech Tremplin Program supporting entrepreneurship from underrepresented backgrounds across France, providing mentoring, resources, and visibility to founders from diverse profiles. Targets underrepresented French tech entrepreneurs.
• French Tech Central Program providing French tech startups with privileged access to public decision-makers and public services, facilitating rapid resolution of regulatory and administrative issues. Targets French tech startups needing public-sector access.
• French Tech Visa Program facilitating the arrival of international tech talent and founders in France through a dedicated visa (Passeport Talent) and the France VISA Tech Tickets service. Targets international founders, employees, and students in the tech sector.
• French Tech Rise Program supporting young and student entrepreneurs in France, providing them with resources, mentoring, and visibility to develop their tech ventures. Targets student founders and young tech entrepreneurs.
• Je choisis la French Tech Initiative opening public procurement to French tech startups and connecting them with large corporate and public buyers through dedicated matchmakings and a relay of large groups. Targets French tech startups and large corporate/public buyers.
• French Tech Capital and Community Network Federation of 115 Capital and Community structures across France and internationally that animate and coordinate the local tech ecosystem, providing on-the-ground support to startups and connecting them with the mission. Targets French tech startups and the broader local ecosystem.
• Je choisis la French Tech Académie Training and onboarding program accompanying the Je choisis la French Tech initiative, preparing startups to engage with large corporate and public buyers. Targets French tech startups participating in the Je choisis la French Tech program.

Quantifiable outcome

• 18,000 start-ups and scale-ups in the French ecosystem creating 450,000 jobs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Groupe ADPcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor French group committed to the Je choisis la French Tech initiative, pledging to purchase solutions from French start-ups and scale-ups as part of the €2 billion collective commitment.
• AtoscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor French technology group that joined Je choisis la French Tech at VivaTech 2026, joining the commitment to exceed €2 billion in purchases from French start-ups.
• AXAcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor French insurance group committed to the Je choisis la French Tech initiative for purchasing from French start-ups.
• BNP ParibascoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor French banking group committed to the Je choisis la French Tech initiative for purchasing from French start-ups.
• Bouygues ConstructioncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor French construction group that joined Je choisis la French Tech at VivaTech 2026, joining the €2 billion commitment.
• Crédit AgricolecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor French banking group that joined Je choisis la French Tech at VivaTech 2026, joining the €2 billion commitment for purchasing from French start-ups.
• EDFcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFrench energy group committed to the Je choisis la French Tech initiative for purchasing from French start-ups.
• EutelsatcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFrench satellite operator that joined Je choisis la French Tech at VivaTech 2026 as part of the €2 billion commitment.
• Fnac DartycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFrench retail group that joined Je choisis la French Tech at VivaTech 2026, committing to purchase from French start-ups.
• SafrancoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFrench aerospace and defence company that joined Je choisis la French Tech at VivaTech 2026 as part of the €2 billion commitment.
• StellantiscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor automotive group that joined Je choisis la French Tech at VivaTech 2026, committing to the €2 billion purchasing target from French start-ups.
• Groupe RochercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFrench consumer goods group that joined Je choisis la French Tech at VivaTech 2026 as part of the €2 billion commitment.
• GroupamacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFrench insurance group that joined Je choisis la French Tech at VivaTech 2026, committing to purchase from French start-ups.
• Business FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment agency managing the Welcome to France platform and French Tech Visa information service, partnering with Mission French Tech to create the Welcome to La French Tech Desk supporting international talent relocation to France.
• Welcome to France PlatformcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatform specializing in international mobility run by Business France, providing personalized guides and timetables for settling in France, with dedicated French Tech desk for tech talent.
• Station FcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld's largest start-up campus in Paris, housing Mission French Tech and serving as the central hub for the French tech ecosystem.
• OpenClassroomscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational platform partner for Je choisis la French Tech Académie, providing free online training to help start-ups win public contracts.
• UGAPcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFrench public procurement central purchasing body, contributing to the Je choisis la French Tech Académie programme with procurement experts.
• State Procurement DirectoratecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment body contributing experts to the Je choisis la French Tech Académie programme for training start-ups in public procurement.
• CCI FrancecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerChambers of Commerce and Industry in France, serving as institutional partner for Je choisis la French Tech and supporting ecosystem coordination.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Startup Genome: Global research and policy advisory firm producing the flagship Global Startup Ecosystem Report and advising governments on startup ecosystem strategy. Comparable as a producer of ecosystem data and policy frameworks, though operating in the advisory/research lane rather than direct programme delivery.

Direct peers

• Bpifrance: French public investment bank providing financing, guarantees, and innovation support. Sister institution within the French government's startup support architecture, with Le Hub specifically deploying the DAPI programme alongside La French Tech.
• Startup India: Government of India flagship initiative to build a startup ecosystem, offering tax benefits, funding access, and a network of incubators. Directly comparable as a national government-led ecosystem-coordination mission with similar programme architecture (recognition, funding access, international linkage).
• Innovate UK: UK's national innovation agency, funding and supporting UK-based startups and scale-ups through grant programmes, Catapult centres, and ecosystem coordination. Closest direct national equivalent to La French Tech's mission of public-sector support for tech startups.
• Station F: World's largest startup campus operating from Paris, hosting La French Tech's headquarters and 1,000+ startups. Comparable as a French startup ecosystem infrastructure player but positioned as a private operator rather than a state-coordination mission.
• Tech Nation (UK): Former UK government-backed organisation that ran programmes equivalent to French Tech Next40/120 (Future Fifty, Tech Nation Visa). Direct historical peer even though substantially wound down in 2023.
• Business France: French government agency for international business development and foreign investment, partnering with La French Tech on the Welcome to La French Tech Desk. Comparable as a state agency supporting French companies' international expansion and inbound talent attraction.
• European Innovation Council: EU-level instrument providing grant and equity funding to deep-tech startups and scale-ups. Comparable as a supranational innovation administration supporting high-growth, strategically important companies across Europe.

Regional players

• Berlin Partner für Wirtschaft und Technologie: Berlin's public-private partnership for economic and technology promotion, coordinating the German capital's startup ecosystem. Comparable as a sub-national government-backed tech ecosystem coordinator, but focused on a single city vs La French Tech's national mandate.
• Barcelona Tech City: Non-profit association coordinating Barcelona's tech ecosystem via Pier 01 and 1,000+ member companies. Comparable as a regional tech ecosystem coordinator, though smaller and more city-focused than La French Tech's national scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LaFrenchTech
• Facebookfacebook.com/lafrenchtech
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lafrenchtech
• Instagraminstagram.com/la_frenchtech

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Tech