
Paris is becoming one of the best places in the world to build a startup, but most of the early-stage entrepreneurs we speak to aren't aware of all the local tech resources that are available to help them.
With applications for the Paris Founder Institute now open, we're excited to release the Paris Startup Resource Guide, which is currently in Draft v1 below! It was developed by the Paris Founder Institute and local leaders: Alexandre Jeissou, Duong Vu, Oliver Tilloy, Vera Baker, and Wen Hu, and Raphael Bellec.
This is just a draft, and while we spent many hours on this research, more input is needed. Please leave your comments on this collaborative Google document to help us complete the list. There are definitely omissions on this current version.
Are you looking to build a startup in Paris? Then apply to the Paris Founder Institute today!
Text version included below, for ease of searching:
Startup Stages
There is no one right way to build a technology company, but for the sake of simplicity we have outlined a basic, common, sequential framework.
1. Idea Stage
This is where new entrepreneurs get inspired, learn best practices, develop skills, validate ideas, and begin to build their team and product.
A. Inspire
- Paris Startup Media: Centralized local information, listings, and news. (i.e. startup blogs/ publications/ lists/ FB groups/ newsletters)
- Inspirational Paris Startup Events: Open, inclusive startup events that often focus on ideation. (i.e. Startup Weekend, idea fairs, and inspirational meetups)
B. Educate
- Best Practices: Beginner knowledge-sharing tech events. (i.e. beginner events that serve to educate more than inspire).
- Training & Feedback: Skill & Idea development events and startup bootcamps for entrepeneurs. (Includes comprehensive training programs, like Founder Institute, General Assembly, Lean Startup Machine, code camps, etc)
C. Validate
- Team Formation: Events for Finding Co-founders in Paris. (i.e. tech networking events or other resources that facilitate early-stage recruitment and cofounder matching)
- Build First Product: Hackathons & product events in Paris.
2. Launch Stage
In this stage, entrepreneurs establish and formalize the company, develop the product, get feedback from customers, and prepare for the next step.
A. Start
- Establish: Paris law firms & banks for startups
- Paris Workspaces: Co-working and flexible workspaces for startups in Paris.
B. Develop
- Formalize: Paris accounting, development and HR tools for early-stage startups.
- Paris Incubators: Groups that prepare companies for seed investment and provide advanced mentorship. (i.e. advanced knowledge sharing, later stage events and resources)
C. Launch
- Paris Seed Accelerators: Seed funding mentor programs (Techstars-style programs that provide funding)
- Pitch & Demo Events: Tech events that showcase Paris startups for investment.
3. Growth Stage
Here, a startup proves their utility, receives recognition, and scales up. This usually requires funding, angels, VCs, and ways to connect them to startups.
A. Recognition
- Paris Investor Networking: Events and groups that connect professional investors with founders.
- Major Media: Mainstream local business press that often showcase local startups.
B. Funding
- Paris Angel Investors: Seed-stage investors and micro-vcs.
- Aksel Piran
- Alain Sarfati
- Audrey Soussan
- Charles-Henry Tranie
- Christophe Chausson
- Cyril Grislain
- David Bizer
- David Opolon
- Didier Tranchier
- François Véron
- Frédéric Montagnon
- Gaston Bilder
- Gilles Samoun
- Jean de La Rochebrochard
- Joakim Nilsson
- Marc Brandsma
- Marie-Christine Levet
- Mark Yoshitake
- Oussama Ammar
- Renaud Visage
- Rodrigo Sepulveda Schulz
- Romain Lavault
- Samantha Jerusalmy
- Simon Dawlat
- Tariq Krim
- Vincent Bastien
- Yann Lechelle
- Yann Mauchamp
- Paris Venture Capitalists: Series A and beyond
C. Growth
- Infrastructure: Office space, HR, local business insurance. (i.e. office space/ HR/ insurance providers for capital-rich companies to grow and scale)
- Expansion: Paris Growth accelerators and consultants. (i.e. programs and business consultants for capital-rich companies to grow and scale)
4. Paris Startup Success Stories
Successful homegrown companies that have raised significant institutional funding, employ a large workforce, or have achieved liquidity.
- Autoreduc
- Aircall
- Appsfire
- Augment
- Blablacar
- Contentsquare
- Daily Motion
- Dashlane
- Dataiku
- Deezer
- Drivy
- Ecovadis
- Evercontact
- Infinit
- Jolicloud
- KEECKER
- Keymetrics
- Lydia
- Mailjet
- Mention
- Mirakl
- My Visual Brief
- Netvibes
- Paw
- Paymium
- PrestaShop
- Prêt d'Union
- Qonto
- Replay App
- Sendinblue
- SensioLabs
- Sketchfab
- Smeeters
- Smiirl
- Snips
- Swile
- Teads.tv
- Tldr.io
- TravelerCar
- Voodoo
- Withings
- ZapTravel
Supporters
To facilitate the steps, every ecosystem needs strong supporters.
1. Paris Startup Leaders
Successful local founders who lead the ecosystem & frequently mentor newbies.
- Alain Baritault
- Alexandre Grandremy
- Alexandre Jeissou
- André Dan
- Axel Calandre
- Benjamin Joffe
- Benoit Bergeret
- Bernadette Martin
- Bertrand Marquet
- Cédric Oeblinger
- Clément Lécuyer
- Duong Vu
- Erwan Guiriec
- Fabien Collangettes
- Fabrice de Brisoult
- Frédéric Austruy
- Gilles LeGuennec
- Guillaume Richard de Vesvrotte
- Iain Wallace
- Isabelle Raugel
- Maike Strudthoff
- Maxime Wagner
- Nicolas Beretti
- Oliver Tilloy
- Orny Richard Impenge
- Sara Stephenson
- Sébastien Monaco
- Stewart Masters
- Timo Elliott
- Tony Jazz
- Vera Baker
- Wen Hu
2. Paris Government Startup Resources
Public organizations that facilitate local economic development
- BusinessFrance
- Grands Prix de l'Innovation de la Ville de Paris
- International Chamber of Commerce
- Invest in Paris
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
- Paris21
- Paris&Co.
3. Talent
Major local business or tech universities and employers that attract and retain local talent.
- Local Paris Tech Universities (universities with prominent technical or business programs)
- American Business School Paris
- EDHEC Business School
- ESCE International Business School
- ESSEC Business School
- HEC Paris
- IÉSEG School of Management
- INSEAD
- INSEEC
- IPAG Business School
- ISC Paris Business School
- ISG International Business School
- International School of Management
- Novancia Business School
- Paris School of Business
- Paris Tech Employers
Learn more about the Startup Ecosystem Canvas here, and leave us your thoughts on the Paris Canvas on this collaborative Google document (This is just a draft, and more input is needed!)