Business France Tech - North America

What Business France Tech - North America does

Business France Tech - North America is the North American regional arm of Business France, the French national agency supporting the international development of the French economy. The parent agency was formed in 2014 through the merger of Ubifrance and the Invest in France Agency and operates as an Établissement Public Industriel et Commercial (EPIC) under the supervision of the French Ministries of Economy and Foreign Affairs. The regional entity, headquartered in New York with 100+ staff across 9 offices in the USA and Canada (Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Boston, San Francisco, Miami, Palo Alto, and Canadian offices in Toronto and Montreal), delivers three core service lines: Invest in France advisory for foreign companies seeking French market entry, Trade with France facilitation connecting importers and buyers with French suppliers, and the V.I.E (Volontariat International en Entreprise) International Trainee Program managing international talent deployment for 6-24 month assignments.

Name

Business France Tech - North America

Legal name

Business France

Website

https://world.businessfrance.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

North American regional arm of Business France (French government economic development agency) operating 9 offices across USA and Canada to facilitate French-North American trade, foreign investment into France, and international trainee recruitment through the V.I.E. program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Promotion Services

NAICS

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54), International Affairs (92812), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAHAHAG

Global Trade & Customs / Trade Compliance

Business & Public Services/Professional Services (Legal, Accounting, Consulting)/Operations & Supply Chain Consulting

SECONDARYBPACAHAG

International Benefits Administration & Global Benefits Brokerage

Business & Public Services/HR, Staffing & Recruitment Services/Employer of Record (EOR) & Global Employment / PEO Services

SECONDARYCRAFAJAI

Localization & Internationalization Services (Language/Currency/Pricing)

Consumer Products & Retail/E-commerce & Marketplaces/Cross-border & International E-commerce

Keywords

• Trade promotion services
• Export development
• Foreign direct investment
• International talent recruitment
• Investment facilitation

Headquarters

HQ city

New York, NY

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices39 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Trade Promotion Services: Facilitates bilateral trade relations between France and international markets through matchmaking, event organization, and market entry support. Services are provided free to support French exporters and international investors.
2. V.I.E Program Administration: Manages the Volontariat International en Entreprise program, handling recruitment, visa processing, insurance, travel arrangements, and payroll for international assignments lasting 6-24 months
3. Business Events and Programs: Organizes approximately 90 business events annually in North America, plus acceleration programs and trade missions to facilitate French-Latin American business relations

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Business France North America is a French government trade promotion agency providing free advisory services to facilitate bilateral trade between France and North America. It supports French companies expanding into North American markets through partner identification and market intelligence, assists North American companies investing in France with site selection and regulatory navigation, and administers the V.I.E International Trainee Program enabling companies to hire young international talent for 6-24 month assignments.

Product overview

Business France North America is a government agency operating as a network of 9 offices across the USA and Canada with 100+ staff. The organization offers three core services: Invest in France (investment advisory), Trade with France (trade facilitation), and the V.I.E. International Trainee Program (international talent acquisition). These services are supported by a digital marketplace platform (Marketplace Business France) featuring over 3,200 French companies, and complemented by sector-specific trade programs including French Healthcare Days, Tastin'France, and French Infrastructure Days. The organization serves approximately 1,700 French companies and 3,500 North American companies annually through 90 business events per year.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Team France Export: A collective initiative bringing together solutions from French regions, state services, Business France, Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and Bpifrance to support French companies in their international projects
• Team France Invest
• V.I.E (Volontariat International en Entreprise)
• Marketplace Business France

Products and services

• Invest in France Service Advisory and support services for foreign investors seeking to establish or expand operations in France, including market entry guidance, partner identification, regulatory navigation, and support throughout the investment process (site extensions, new sites, industrial or technological partnerships, acquisitions, or financial investments).
• Trade with France Service (Source in France) Facilitation of bilateral trade relations between France and North America, connecting importers, wholesale and retail buyers with French companies. Includes organization of professional networking events and operation of digital platforms to promote business relations between international buyers and French companies.
• V.I.E. (Volontariat International en Entreprise) Program International internship program allowing companies based in France to hire young talents from Europe for 6-24 month assignments at competitive cost, with Business France handling all administrative formalities including visa processing, contracts, insurance, travel arrangements, and payroll.
• Marketplace Business France Digital B2B platform featuring over 3,200 French companies and 30,000 products across 5 key sectors (Food & Beverage, Wellness & Beauty, Sports Solutions, Medical Devices, Style & Decor) for international buyers to source French products and find commercial partners.
• French Healthcare Days Sector-specific B2B event program connecting French healthcare companies (medical devices, pharmaceuticals, wellness products) with buyers in North America through trade shows and matchmaking sessions.
• Tastin'France International B2B tasting event showcasing French food and beverage products to international buyers and distributors, facilitating supplier-buyer connections in the food and beverage sector.
• French Infrastructure Days B2B event connecting French infrastructure and transportation companies with international partners and buyers, facilitating partnerships in the infrastructure sector.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,688 foreign investment decisions in France in 2024 creating or maintaining 37,747 jobs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and supporting.

• CapGeminimajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 January 2025Partnership for 'France Night' event at Davos 2025, bringing together French community and international decision makers. Joint event hosting with 100+ participants including French ministers.
• La Mission French Tech (DGE)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 January 2025Partnership with Direction Générale des Entreprises (DGE) for French Tech initiative, supporting French technology companies at international events. Enabled 4 French companies participation at Davos 2025.
• French Embassies in Latin AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness France works as the commercial arm of French embassies in Latin America, collaborating with all departments of each French embassy. Embassies lead networks of French consulates in each country, providing official channels for trade promotion and investment facilitation.
• Team France ExportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative network bringing together French administrative regions, Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and Bpifrance to provide comprehensive export support services. Coordinates efforts for maximum impact in international markets.
• French Chambers of Commerce (CCEF - Conseillers du Commerce Extérieur)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of French Foreign Trade Advisors - entrepreneurs designated by the French Prime Minister to share expertise with French companies interested in international expansion. Provides valuable market intelligence and connections.
• French Treasury and Economic Affairs DepartmentsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Treasury and Economic Affairs department acts as liaison between Latin American authorities and French counterparts on economic and financial matters. Facilitates partnerships and provides support for French companies in government negotiations.
• Regional Development AgenciescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of of Team France Invest initiative, working with regional development agencies, local authorities, and ANCT (Agence Nationale de la Cohésion des Territoires) to support international development projects.
• French-Norwegian Chamber of CommercesupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorClose collaboration within Team France Export framework. Works with bilateral chambers of commerce to provide localized support and networking opportunities for companies expanding internationally.
• French Administrative RegionscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with French regional authorities as part of Team France Export initiative, providing regional expertise and support for companies from specific French regions.
• ANCT (Agence Nationale de la Cohésion des Territoires)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Team France Invest initiatives, supporting decentralized services and local authority engagement in international development.

Scale indicators26 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Enterprise Ireland: Irish state agency under the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment supporting Irish exporters and attracting investment. Similar event-led trade promotion and direct advisory model, with strong presence in-market for client companies.
• Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI): Germany's federal agency for foreign trade promotion and inward investment, headquartered in Berlin with a global office network. GTAI is the closest structural peer to Business France — analogous government trade promotion and FDI attraction mandate, marketplace, and event portfolio.
• ICEX Spain Trade and Investment: Spanish state-owned company promoting Spanish exports and attracting foreign investment, with a global network of economic and commercial offices. Has its own 'ICEX Localiza' and investment-attraction programs comparable to Business France's offerings.
• UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT): UK government department responsible for trade promotion, export support, and inward investment. Direct counterpart to Business France in mandate (export + FDI), global office footprint, and B2B event organization.
• JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization): Japanese government-related organization promoting trade and investment between Japan and the rest of the world. Closely comparable in mandate (export promotion, FDI), global office footprint (74-country-style network), and J-Bridge/JETRO Invest Japan programs.
• U.S. Commercial Service (International Trade Administration): U.S. Department of Commerce export promotion arm with a global network of offices and international trade specialists. Closest U.S. counterpart to Business France in mandate — helps U.S. companies export and attracts foreign investment to the U.S.
• Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE): Swiss government-mandated organization promoting Swiss exports and inbound FDI. Comparable public-private structure, with sector experts supporting SMEs and an FDI-attraction mandate analogous to Business France.
• Italy Trade Agency (ITA): Italian government agency under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs tasked with promoting Italian exports and attracting foreign investment. Operates a global office network, runs trade fairs (e.g., Vinitaly partnerships), and supports inbound FDI — strong functional peer.
• KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency): South Korean government agency promoting trade and inbound investment. Comparable scope — global office network, matchmaking events, and an export/import support mandate similar to Business France's.
• Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA): Dutch government-operated agency focused on attracting foreign direct investment to the Netherlands, operating under the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Direct functional peer on the FDI-facilitation side.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@businessfrance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bftechna

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries8 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 Business France Tech - North America