Friday, March 7th 2025 from 12:30PM to 2PM
Video Replay : https://youtu.be/4Uo0moLQSu0
1:20 Business France – Laurent Guérin
8:54 Paris – Choose Paris – Romain Erny
17:15 Grenoble – Invest in Grenoble – Alexandrine Romestant
23:32 Occitanie – Ad’Occ Camille Travier
29:22 Occitanie – Invest in Toulouse, Julien Toulouse
34:45 Nouvelle-Aquitaine – Magali Roux
42:05 French Tech Bordeaux – Philippe Métayer
44:14 Region-Sud – RisingSud – Antonin Chef
44:59 Region-Sud – RisingSud – Amine Bennani
51:51 Region-Sud – Invest in Provence – Maeva Denis
55:52 Grand-Est – Dirk Winkler
1:01:09 Grand-Est – Warren Michel
1:09:20 Bourgogne-Franche-Comté – Karine Berger
1:15:34 French Tech Marseille – Jules Poret
Business France
Paris Region
Grenoble Alpes
Occitanie
Nouvelle Aquitaine
Region Sud
Grand-Est
Bourgogne
Speakers + a few more contacts for each region / organisation :
Business France : Laurent Guérin – Business France (Invest in France)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurent-guerin-business-france-invest-7ab5479/
Business France : Adeline Dohin – Business France (Invest in France)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/adeline-d-1834a84/
Business France : Stéphane Laaper – Business France (Invest in France) Bavaria and Czech Republic
https://www.linkedin.com/in/st%C3%A9phane-laaper-business-france-invest-14331a12/
Paris : Romain Erny – Choose Paris
https://www.linkedin.com/in/romainerny/
Rhône-Alpes : Alexandrine Romestant – Invest in Grenoble Alpes
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandrine-romestant-5a6180152
Occitane : Camille Travier – Ad’Occ
https://www.linkedin.com/in/camille-travier
Occitanie : Pierre-Jean Chandès – Ad’Occ
https://www.linkedin.com/in/%E2%9C%85-pierre-jean-chand%C3%A8s-9759b654/
Occitanie : Julien Toulouse – Invest in Toulouse
https://www.linkedin.com/in/julientoulouse/
PACA : Antonin Chef – Region Sud
https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoninchef/
PACA : Maeva Denis – Invest in Provence
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maeva-denis-a99a138a
Grand-Est : Dirk Winkler, Grand-Est Développement
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dirk-winkler-8231968
Grand-Est : Warren Michel, Startup Manager – Digital & Deeptech Quest for Change incubation program
https://www.linkedin.com/in/warrenmichel/
Nouvelle Aquitaine : Magali Roux – Région Nouvelle Aquitaine
https://www.linkedin.com/in/magali-roux-43187680
Bourgogne-Franche-Comté : Karine Berger – Agence Économique Régionale AERBFC
https://www.linkedin.com/in/karine-berger-674610107
Based on these presentations, here are the main strengths of each region, highlighting their unique offerings to startups and entrepreneurs considering expanding their operations into France (ChatGPT).
| Feature | Paris Region | Grenoble Alpes | Occitanie | Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Région Sud (Provence) | Grand Est | Bourgogne-Franche-Comté |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | Largest metro area in France (~12M) | 815,000 | 6M | Largest region, diverse cities | 5M, 4 major cities | ~5.5M | 2.8M |
| Key Sectors | Digital, Finance, AI, R&D, Innovation | AI, Semiconductors, Healthtech, Energy, Digital | Aerospace, Space, Digital, Renewable Energy, Agri-food | Aeronautics, Green Chemistry, Healthtech, Food, Transport | AI, Cleantech, Cybersecurity, Digital, Maritime | Hydrogen, Healthcare, Luxury, Agrifood, Mobility | Hydrogen, Healthcare, Luxury, Agrifood, Digital, Mobility |
| Universities & Students | Highest concentration (27% French students) | 60,000 students | 300,000 students, strong research community | 170,000 students (18,000 international) | 170,000 students, Aix-Marseille University | 215,000 students | 80,000 students |
| Startup Ecosystem | 1,000+ accelerators & incubators | 750 startups; €1.9B funding | €406M+ raised (2024), major AI Hub | Strong ecosystem (French Tech Bordeaux) | Europe’s largest tech park (Sophia Antipolis) | 750+ startups, 8 incubators | Strong network, multiple incubators, accelerators |
| Special Funding | Innov’up: grants up to €500k | €1.9B raised by local startups | €406M+ raised in 2024 | Regional grants (~€100k/startup/year), strong sustainability focus | Up to €2M/project (Cleantech, AI) | €500k+ available, extensive VC network | Grants & advances (€20k–€500k), OSER equity fund |
| Special Characteristics | Most Fortune 500 HQs in Europe | 2nd largest English-speaking area | World aerospace & space capital | Strong sustainable & climate-focused strategy | Europe’s gateway to Africa, largest port, tech excellence | Hydrogen, healthcare & agrifood expertise | French leader in private-sector R&D |
| Connectivity | Exceptional international connections | Close to Lyon & Geneva airports | Excellent international & domestic connections | 11 airports, connected to 100+ destinations | Mediterranean, African & EU connectivity | Proximity to Germany, Switzerland, Luxembourg | Central European location, well-connected |
| Quality of Life | Metropolitan lifestyle | European Green Capital (2022) | Excellent quality of life, attractive cities | Good balance between nature and cities, lower costs vs Paris | 300+ days sunshine/year, excellent life quality | Balanced urban-rural environment, attractive quality of life | High-quality living environment, rich cultural heritage |
