La French Tech Saint-Etienne Lyon

What La French Tech Saint-Etienne Lyon does

La French Tech Saint-Etienne Lyon is a French non-profit association (association loi 1901) founded in 2020 under the national French Tech initiative. It operates as the regional innovation platform for the Lyon and Saint-Étienne territories within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, federating more than 700 ecosystem actors—including 583 member startups, 84 innovation actors, financial institutions, schools, large corporations, and public bodies. Its primary mission is to reduce fragmentation in the regional innovation ecosystem by serving as a unified entry point that orients entrepreneurs toward financing, support structures, talent, markets, and international expansion resources.

The association delivers its services through a combination of digital platforms and structured programs. Core digital products include French Tech Central, a free appointment-booking platform connecting startups with 35+ public and private expert partners (~50 appointments per month, 600+ appointments in 2024), and two AI-powered conversational chatbots—Chatbot Financement (launched February 2025) and Chatbot Accompagnement (launched March 2026)—that automate entrepreneur orientation and financing program matching. Beyond digital tooling, the organization deploys national French Tech programs including French Tech 2030, French Tech Rise, French Tech Seed (a €400M fund managed with Bpifrance), French Tech Visa, Scale Up Excellence (5th promotion launched June 2026 with 79 laureates including 10 from the territory), and Je Choisis La French Tech (600+ signatory companies, €685M purchasing commitment).

Revenue is generated primarily through annual membership fees from startups and scaleups, supplemented by public partnerships and national French Tech program funding. All programs and direct services offered to entrepreneurs are free, with the association monetizing instead via its membership model and B2B matchmaking services that connect startups with large corporate buyers and public procurement entities. The association operates with a small operational team (five named individuals including Delegate General Lucie Texier) and is governed by a board of directors representing member organizations such as HUB612, TUBÀ, and Pulsalys.

Name

La French Tech Saint-Etienne Lyon

Legal name

French Tech Saint-Etienne Lyon

Website

https://lafrenchtech-stl.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

La French Tech Saint-Etienne Lyon is a non-profit association founded in 2020 that federates the Lyon-Saint-Étienne innovation ecosystem of 700+ actors and 583 startups, deploying national French Tech programs and offering free expert matchmaking, financing chatbots, and acceleration support to entrepreneurs, scaleups, corporates, and public institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Lyon

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

La French Tech Saint-Etienne Lyon is a non-profit association (association loi 1901) that operates as the innovation platform for the Lyon and Saint-Etienne territory in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France. It federates over 700 ecosystem actors including startups, scaleups, innovative companies, experts, investors, large groups, and public actors, offering free programs, expert matchmaking, financing guidance, acceleration support, and digital tools (chatbots, appointment platforms) to help entrepreneurs navigate and grow within the innovation ecosystem.

Product overview

La French Tech Saint-Etienne Lyon is an innovation ecosystem platform that federates over 700 actors including startups, scaleups, innovative companies, experts, investors, large groups, and public actors across the Lyon-Saint-Étienne territory. Rather than a single unified product, it operates as a multi-service organization offering both digital platforms and programs. Core digital products include French Tech Central (a free appointment scheduling platform connecting startups with 35+ public and private experts), and two AI-powered chatbots (Chatbot Financement and Chatbot Accompagnement) that automate entrepreneur orientation and financing guidance. The organization deploys national French Tech programs (French Tech 2030, French Tech Next40/120, French Tech Seed, French Tech Rise, French Tech Visa), runs local initiatives (MERIT for responsible business, Je Choisis La French Tech including an online academy), and provides resources through podcasts, webinar replays, and panorama documents. Scale Up Excellence, the 5th edition launched June 2026, is its flagship acceleration program for high-growth startups.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• French Tech Central A national program providing free personalized appointments between startups and public actors, private partners, and accompaniment structures. Connects entrepreneurs with 35+ experts through a scheduling platform (rdv.lafrenchtech-stl.com), with approximately 50 appointments per month and over 600 appointments completed in 2024.
• Chatbot Accompagnement An AI-powered conversational chatbot that helps entrepreneurs navigate accompaniment options on the Lyon and Saint-Etienne territories. It facilitates orientation based on needs, maturity stage, project typology, thematics, and localization. Free and developed by a member of the French Tech Saint-Etienne Lyon Bureau.
• Chatbot Financement
• Scale Up Excellence A national acceleration program for scaleups in strong growth phase. Co-piloted by 12 French Tech capitals including Saint-Etienne Lyon. Offers masterclasses with Next40/FT120 CEOs, peer networking, public decision-maker meetings, and visibility.
• Je Choisis La French Tech A program bringing together over 600 signatory companies and 80+ institutional actors, with the objective to double public and private purchases from French Tech startups by 2027. Includes Je Choisis La French Tech Académie, a free online training for startups on public procurement.
• French Tech Seed A €400 million fund managed by Bpifrance and piloted by French Tech to provide leverage for private investment in post-maturation phase technology companies. Targets deeptech startups under 3 years old that have completed a fundraising round.
• French Tech Visa A visa scheme created in 2017 to attract entrepreneurs and talents worldwide to France. Enables foreign profiles (employees, founders, investors) to benefit from simplified procedures for obtaining 'talent' residence permits valid for 4 years and renewable.
• French Tech Rise A national program that showcases startups from all French Tech territories to recognized venture capital investors. Annual regional events select winners to participate in national events in Paris with one-on-one investor meetings.
• MERIT Mouvement des Entreprises Responsables et Inclusives du Territoire - A program for business leaders committed to environmental and social transition. Includes 9 monthly meetings from December to June, coordinated by the Impact Commission. Ambassadors implement RSE (Corporate Social Responsibility) solutions within their organizations.
• French Tech 2030 A program created in 2023 to identify approximately 100 emerging innovation companies for customized support by 2030. Targets deeptech projects with high growth potential, high impact potential, and high audacity potential. Part of the France 2030 plan worth €54 billion.
• Job Board
• Bourse French Tech
• French Tech Tremplin
• Lyon Start Up
• La Prépa

Quantifiable outcome

• 700+ member actors federated in the ecosystem
• +6 more outcomes

Segments7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• LaborIA (Ministère du Travail / Inria)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Research-action lab studying AI's effects on the future of work. Partnered with French Tech for LaborIA survey on AI usage among SMEs.
• Datactivist (SCOP)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Cooperative company developing tools to facilitate AI implementation for SMEs. Conducting LaborIA survey in partnership with French Tech.
• KPMGminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2021International accounting and consulting firm. Partners with French Tech Rise program. Provides expertise on innovation taxation (CIR, CII, JEI status) through webinars.
• Rydge ConseilminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2021Accounting and consulting firm specializing in innovation financing. Provides webinars on 2025 and 2026 finance laws for R&D tax credits.
• Pulsalys (Incubateur DeepTech Lyon Saint-Etienne)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020DeepTech incubator and accelerator transforming scientific discoveries from Lyon Saint-Etienne labs into economic opportunities. Has accompanied 143 deeptech startups which raised 264M€ and created 1,330+ jobs. Active member of the deeptech commission.
• H7 (Métropole de Lyon)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019H7 is an accelerator based in Lyon's Confluence eco-district, founded by Métropole de Lyon in 2019. It has accelerated 250+ startups through its programs. Partners with French Tech for events and to support startup growth on the territory.
• Germain Maureau (Cabinet CPI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Independent European IP law firm with 120+ collaborators including 50 experts. Provides intellectual property advice to startups and scaleups on patents, trademarks, designs, copyrights, domain names. Offers free initial IP diagnosis for startups.
• Hiptown (Coworking)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Coworking space in Lyon's Part-Dieu district. Hosts AI integration workshops and events in partnership with Le Wagon and French Tech.
• TECH360 (ECAM LaSalle Incubator)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Incubator for high-tech and hardtech projects from ECAM LaSalle. Focus areas include digital, manufacturing, energy, materials. Provides business, tech, and financing support in collaboration with Bpifrance and alumni business angels.
• INPI (Institut National de la Propriété Industrielle)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017French national IP office. Provides expert appointments for startups on patents, trademarks, designs. Co-organizes webinars on IP protection for investors.
• ANSSI (Agence Nationale de la Sécurité des Systèmes d'Information)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017French national cybersecurity agency. Provides expertise on digital security for startups through French Tech Central.
• UGAP (Centrale d'Achat Public)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017French public procurement central. Helps startups access public markets and provides advice on public procurement procedures.
• Business FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017French agency for international development. Handles French Tech Visa procedures for foreign entrepreneurs, employees, and investors. Available on French Tech Central.
• Team France ExportminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017French export support network. Provides international development assistance for startups looking to expand abroad.
• Douanes FrançaisesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017French customs authority. Provides expertise on international trade procedures for startups.
• Le French TechcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017National French Tech movement and mission. Oversees all French Tech communities, manages national programs (Next40/120, French Tech Visa, French Tech Seed, etc.), and coordinates territorial initiatives.
• emlyon venture labsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Accelerator from emlyon business school. Supports entrepreneurship and startup development on the Lyon territory.
• Mines Saint-ÉtienneminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Engineering school with strong ties to industry and research. Provides tech transfer and deeptech startup support.
• INRIAminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017French national research institute for digital science. Partner for deeptech and AI research initiatives including LaborIA.
• HUB612coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Accelerator and early-stage investment fund for B2B tech startups. Founded in 2016, is a subsidiary of Caisse d'Épargne Rhône-Alpes. Focuses on Fintech, InsurTech & SaaS B2B. Has accompanied 80+ startups and invested in 23. Maud Charaf is Vice-President of French Tech.
• Saint-Étienne Métropole (MIND)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Metropolitan authority supporting 400,000+ residents. MIND program provides innovation support services, funding access, connections to clusters and partners like Bpifrance and INPI. The Mixeur in the Manufacture district is the hub for entrepreneurial and innovation activity.
• Métropole Grand LyoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Metropolitan authority created in 2015 covering 59 municipalities. Supports innovation and economic development on the Lyon territory.
• Digital LeaguecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Cluster of digital companies in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region with 400 members, 6 geographic offices, 16 employees, and 70 volunteer CEOs. Partners with French Tech for sustainable growth of digital companies. Organizes major events including Digital Summ'R.
• Le WagonminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013World-leading intensive tech education provider. Operates 27 campuses globally with 30,000+ alumni. Co-organizes AI integration workshops with Hiptown and French Tech.
• TUBÀ (Lyon Urban Data)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Data, responsible digital, and urban transitions hub installed in Lyon's Part-Dieu district. Founding member of French Tech Saint-Etienne Lyon. Frédéric Lecoin serves as Treasurer of the association.

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• NUMA: Paris-based innovation accelerator and corporate venture platform. Comparable as a French innovation ecosystem player that deploys programs and connects startups with corporates, but with a commercial-services model rather than a non-profit association.
• Station F: The world's largest startup campus located in Paris. Comparable as a French innovation ecosystem platform with program deployment, but operates at a much larger scale with a private/commercial model rather than an association structure.
• Euratechnologies: Major European innovation hub based in Lille, operating incubator, accelerator, and program services. Comparable to French Tech Saint-Étienne Lyon as a regional innovation ecosystem orchestrator, but with a deeper commercial/incubator footprint and a longer-running operating model.

Direct peers

• French Tech Grand Paris: The French Tech capital for the Paris metropolitan area. Directly comparable as a regional French Tech ecosystem platform deploying the same national programs (French Tech 2030, Next40/120, Scale Up Excellence) but with a larger startup base and more capital flow.
• French Tech Bordeaux: Regional French Tech chapter covering the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. Operates the same association-based ecosystem platform model, deploying Scale Up Excellence, French Tech Seed, and French Tech Rise locally.
• French Tech Aix-Marseille Provence: French Tech capital for the Aix-Marseille metropolitan area. Direct peer deploying the same national programs, with comparable startup-support and matchmaking structure in a different regional geography.
• French Tech Paris-Saclay: Designated French Tech capital for the Paris-Saclay deeptech corridor. Comparable as a sibling French Tech chapter with a strong deeptech focus, similar matchmaking and program deployment model, and similar association structure.
• French Tech Rennes: Regional French Tech chapter for the Brittany region. Direct peer as an association-based ecosystem platform deploying the same national French Tech programs in a different regional geography.
• French Tech Lille: French Tech chapter for the Hauts-de-France region, often viewed alongside Euratechnologies. Direct peer with the same national-program deployment model and similar association-structured ecosystem focus.
• French Tech Toulouse: Regional French Tech chapter for Toulouse/Occitanie. Operates the same national French Tech programs locally, federates aerospace and deeptech startups, and shares the association-based ecosystem model with Saint-Étienne Lyon.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

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• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lafrenchtech-ste-lyon

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Saint-Etienne Lyon