The French Tech ecosystem now represents one of the strategic pillars of digital sovereignty and innovation in France. With 18,000 active companies generating 450,000 direct jobs and €5.8 billion raised between January and September 2025, this ecosystem is attracting growing attention from executives.
Dynatrust is among the innovative players in the French Tech ecosystem, developing SaaS solutions dedicated to global GRC management and the industrialization of auditing. These platforms rely on proprietary sovereign artificial intelligence designed to meet organizations’ security and compliance requirements.
For decision-makers seeking to understand modern cybersecurity challenges, deciphering the French Tech ecosystem has become essential. Let us explore what makes this movement strong, its missions, how to participate, and the concrete benefits of being part of it.
What is French Tech? Understanding the French Innovation Ecosystem
Launched in 2013 by the French government, this initiative aims to federate, promote, and accelerate innovative technology companies across the national territory and internationally.
Contrary to what one might think, French Tech is not limited to a label or a single program. It encompasses a complete ecosystem including startups, investors, large corporations, engineering schools, public institutions, accelerators, and regional communities. This dense network creates a unique collective dynamic in Europe.
The French Tech Mission, the government body leading this initiative, orchestrates various programs tailored to companies’ maturity stages: French Tech Tremplin for inclusion, French Tech Rise to support growing startups, French Tech Next40/120 for the most high-performing scale-ups, and French Tech 2030 for strategic deeptech companies.
The Numbers Illustrating the Ecosystem’s Vitality
Financially, French tech companies attracted €5.8 billion in funding between January and September 2025, demonstrating sustained investor appetite for the national ecosystem. Although lower than the peak years of 2021–2022, this amount is stabilizing and confirms the sector’s resilience.
France now counts 26 unicorns (startups valued at over one billion euros), placing the country on the European podium. These champions include Mistral AI in artificial intelligence, valued at €1.7 billion after a record funding round supported by ASML in September 2025, Doctolib in healthtech, and Back Market in the circular economy.
The Missions of French Tech: Structuring and Accelerating Innovation
The French Tech Mission pursues a clear strategic objective: to foster the emergence of French technological champions in sectors critical to national sovereignty. The French Tech 2030 program, announced in November 2025, perfectly illustrates this ambition with a cohort of 80 startups positioned in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum technologies, robotics, semiconductors, and space.
The figures for the 2025 cohort demonstrate real industrial momentum: €1.1 billion raised since their creation, 353 patents filed, €130 million invested in R&D in 2024, and, notably, 45 existing or planned factories. This tangible reindustrialization represents 40% of the country’s new industrial facilities in the first half of 2025.
Promoting French Excellence and International Influence
Beyond the national dimension, French Tech aims to position France as a European technological leader and a key global player. Startups from the French Tech 2030 cohort already have a physical or commercial presence in 53 countries, with 55% operating in Europe, 51% in North America, and progressive expansion into Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
This internationalization relies on a network of “French Tech Hubs” deployed in major global cities (New York, San Francisco, London, Berlin, Singapore, Tel Aviv). These hubs facilitate the establishment of French startups abroad and, conversely, attract international talent and capital to France.
Developing Regions and Decentralizing Innovation
A major mission is to structure innovation across the entire French territory, beyond the historical concentration in Île-de-France. The 2025 data show significant progress: one out of two startups now grows outside the capital, and nearly 40% of the French Tech 2030 cohort startups are located outside Île-de-France.
How to Join French Tech? Process and Opportunities
Joining the French Tech ecosystem does not necessarily mean applying to a specific program. Any French technological startup, or one established in France, inherently becomes part of French Tech as soon as it contributes to the country’s innovation dynamic.
For early-stage or growing startups seeking structured support, programs such as French Tech Tremplin (dedicated to inclusive entrepreneurship) or locally labeled French Tech incubators offer training, mentoring, and access to funding. These programs operate through periodic calls for applications with selection based on submitted dossiers.
More mature companies may aim for flagship programs such as French Tech Next40/120 (the 40 and 120 most promising French startups) or French Tech 2030 for strategic deeptech firms. These prestigious programs require meeting specific criteria and passing a competitive selection process.
Criteria and Requirements to Join French Tech 2030
The French Tech 2030 program represents the top of the pyramid, with the most stringent requirements, targeting startups developing breakthrough technologies in strategic sectors.
Sector criteria: the startup must operate in a domain strategic for French sovereignty (artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum technologies, robotics, semiconductors, electronics, space, and cloud solutions are particularly valued).
Technological maturity: the technology must be sufficiently advanced, at least at the stage of a demonstrated prototype or a fully functional model in a near-operational environment.
Impact potential: solutions must address issues of public interest, such as personal data protection, prevention of disinformation, and securing critical infrastructures.
The application process takes place via annual calls for projects published on the French Tech Mission website, with evaluation based on dossiers followed by finalist hearings before a jury of experts.
The Concrete Benefits of Being Part of the French Tech Ecosystem
Integration into a French Tech program, especially French Tech 2030, unlocks tailored one-year support aimed at accelerating business development while removing regulatory and administrative barriers. Julie Huguet, Director of the French Tech Mission, states that “we commit to working alongside them to challenge, support, strengthen, and accelerate their ambitious and robust business models.”
This support concretely translates into privileged access to public and private decision-makers. Laureates benefit from facilitated meetings with administrations (ministries, agencies, regulators), enabling them to resolve obstacles in weeks that would otherwise take months through traditional channels.
Increased Visibility and Brand Effect
The French Tech Mission orchestrates large-scale communication campaigns during cohort launches, with national and international media coverage. Laureates benefit from this collective exposure, which would be difficult to achieve individually. Christel Heydemann, sponsor of the 2025 cohort and CEO of Orange, committed to “promoting French excellence and expertise” across her networks.
Easier Access to Funding and Markets
Bpifrance, a central player in innovation financing, pays particular attention to French Tech startups in its investment processes. Private investment funds, both French and international, systematically monitor French Tech cohorts to identify high-potential gems. While this does not guarantee funding, it opens doors and significantly accelerates the process.
Internationally, the network of French Tech Hubs provides strategic support to expand into new markets. Economic attachés and Atout France services include French Tech startups in their promotional initiatives, opening commercial opportunities that would be difficult to achieve independently.
Conclusion: Joining the French Tech Ecosystem to Accelerate Your Growth
The French Tech ecosystem represents far more than a label or a government program. It is a collective dynamic that structures French technological innovation, creates international champions, and contributes to the country’s digital sovereignty.
For technology startups, particularly in cybersecurity, joining this ecosystem offers tangible benefits: personalized support, increased visibility, easier access to funding and markets, and integration into a network of excellence. The requirements to join flagship programs such as French Tech 2030 are demanding, but they reflect the ambition to foster global leaders.
Dynatrust, a proud member of the French Tech ecosystem, illustrates how a French company can combine technological innovation with a commitment to digital sovereignty. This membership reflects recognition of excellence and growth potential in a strategic sector.
Could your technology company benefit from the French Tech ecosystem? Whether you are a startup in creation seeking to join a local community, a scale-up aiming for the Next40/120 programs, or a deeptech company aspiring to French Tech 2030, opportunities exist at every stage of maturity. Contact us to understand how Dynatrust, a recognized player in the ecosystem, can share its experience and support you in your journey toward integration into French Tech
Benefit from the expertise of a French Tech member to accelerate your digital transformation, enhance your cybersecurity with sovereign solutions, and expand into new markets in France and abroad.
