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Introduction
The French Tech Mission: the government body supporting “French Tech”
Established in 2013, the French Tech Mission is the government body responsible for implementing public policies aimed at start-ups and bringing together the French start-up ecosystem, both in France and internationally. The French Tech Mission promotes the “La French Tech” brand.
The term “French Tech” has also become the nickname for the ecosystem of 18,000 French start-ups. It is often used to refer to start-ups and all the stakeholders involved: investors, support organisations (incubators, accelerators), associations, etc.
The French Tech Mission’s mandate
In 2013, our mission was to foster the emergence of a start-up ecosystem in France. We have now achieved this! Since 2019, France has retained its position as Europe’s leading destination for foreign investment, according to the 2025 EY study.
In line with this, three key objectives guide all our actions:
Our aim of promoting the French start-up ecosystem enables us to highlight the fact that French Tech start-ups represent a major asset for France on the international economic stage.
Our work in supporting start-ups enables us to foster the development of high-potential technology start-ups that address major societal challenges.
Our role in coordinating the French Tech Capitals and Communities network enables us to mobilise the French tech ecosystem across regions and on every continent in support of its development, in line with government priorities.
through our dedicated national programmes
use solutions provided by start-ups in the French tech ecosystem every month
including URSSAF, France Travail, Bpifrance, Business France, AFNOR, UGAP, the Directorate-General of the Treasury, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, etc.
19 regional centres and 28 local groups in France, and 78 local groups internationally, comprising 1,100 volunteers, 70 per cent of whom are entrepreneurs.
Support programmes dedicated to the growth of innovative tech start-ups
Convinced that collaboration between the public and private sectors creates value, our work is based on the design and implementation of innovative support programmes aimed at French entrepreneurs.
These programmes are aimed not only at the highest-performing start-ups, capable of becoming world-class technology leaders, but also at those that are less mature yet have strong potential and are positioned in strategic areas within the framework of France 2030, as well as to entrepreneurs who are under-represented in the ecosystem and who wish to set up their own start-ups.
Through these support programmes, we ensure that:
To provide solutions for start-ups on issues relating to visibility, regulation and access to public services;
To facilitate interactions with French public authorities through the network of 60 French Tech Correspondents, based within public authorities, and their expertise covering a wide range of topics from funding to recruitment and international expansion.
Find out about the support programmes
programmes, the French Tech Mission is able to support the development of technology start-ups that align with the Government’s priorities.
A network of French Tech Capitals and Communities committed to uniting and promoting the French Tech ecosystem in each region, both in France and internationally
We are working to mobilise a network of 19 French Tech Capitals and 106 French Tech Communities – private-law associations accredited every three years – present in 32 regions across mainland France and the overseas territories, and in 57 countries around the world.
Acting as gateways to the tech ecosystem in their respective regions, they help to implement the Mission French Tech’s national strategy by adapting it to the priorities and specific characteristics of their ecosystems. They also roll out various French Tech programmes within their regions.
Discover the French Tech Capitals and Communities network
The French Tech Capitals and Communities act as genuine gateways for French start-ups into the French Tech ecosystem.
The history of the French Tech Mission
January 2013 Establishment of the French Tech Mission
This initiative is helping to build a major collective movement to promote the growth and international influence of French digital start-ups.
January 2017 Establishment of French Tech Central
The programme aims to facilitate access for all start-ups to the key public services in their local area that are essential to their day-to-day operations and growth, with a view to identifying their specific needs and ensuring a coordinated response from public sector bodies.
April 2019 First accreditation of French Tech Capitals and Communities
For this first accreditation, which is valid for three years, the French Tech network comprises 13 French Tech Capitals and 43 French Tech Communities.
July 2019 Launch of the French Tech Tremplin programme
This is a programme that promotes equal opportunities and supports entrepreneurs from under-represented backgrounds within the French tech ecosystem as they develop their business ventures.
September 2019 Launch of the French Tech Next40/120 programme
The aim is to support and promote 120 promising French start-ups that are likely to become world-class technology leaders.
July 2021 Launch of the French Tech Rise programme
An initiative, in the form of an annual event, which supports the funding of start-ups at a regional level.
March 2022 Launch of the Gender Equality Pact by the French Tech Mission, co-created with the signatory start-ups
The French Tech Mission has worked with the signatories to draw up the Gender Equality Pact, which aims to commit start-ups to making gender equality the norm within their organisations.
February 2023 Strengthening the French Tech Capitals and Communities network
Announcement of the network’s second cohort, with strengthened organisational structure and funding. With 16 capital cities, 34 local authorities in France and 67 local authorities internationally, the aim of this cohort is to consolidate the tech ecosystem at a local level.
June 2023 Launch of the French Tech 2030 programme
Announcement of the 125 winners of the first cohort of the French Tech 2030 programme, a support programme that combines, in an unprecedented way, the ambitions of the France 2030 plan, led by the General Secretariat for Investment, the support of the French Tech Mission and the expertise of Bpifrance.
June 2023 Launch of the “I Choose La French Tech” initiative
The “Je choisis la French Tech” initiative aims to increase the use of solutions provided by French start-ups by public authorities and the wider business community. In practical terms, the aim is to double the use of solutions provided by French start-ups by public and private sector organisations by 2027.
February 2025 Launch of the “I Choose the French Tech Academy” training course
Launched on 19 February 2025 by the French Tech Mission as part of the “Je choisis la French Tech” programme, this free online course is designed to train all start-ups in public procurement, enabling them to acquire, in just four hours, all the skills needed to secure public contracts.