French Tech 2030 expands support for startups

French Tech 2030, a government initiative launched in 2023, has broadened its support for deeptech startups, selecting 80 companies for its 2026 promotion. These startups focus on eight strategic areas, including artificial intelligence, space, quantum technology, and health, and are intended to drive France’s technological independence and innovation.

Startups show strong growth and innovation

The selected startups have collectively raised 1.5 billion euros since their inception, with 60% of them originating from public research or collaborating with it. They have filed 842 patents, and nearly half are located outside Île-de-France. These companies employ 3,630 people in France and have 46 factories either operational or under development.

New entrants bring diverse technologies

Among the 33 new entrants in the 2026 promotion, Wise Integration is working on more compact and energy-efficient chargers for data centers, industry, and the automotive sector. Orasio is developing a video investigation tool for use by 6,000 investigators in the National Police and National Gendarmerie starting in 2027. Hexana is exploring small nuclear reactors combined with energy storage.

Selection process grows more competitive

Lucie Chaumet, deputy director of the French Tech mission, noted that the selection process is becoming more rigorous, with nearly 200 applications for 80 spots. The selection committee includes key institutions such as the Direction générale des entreprises (DGE), France Deeptech, Bpifrance, Scaleway, and Sopra Steria, which serves as the promotion’s patron. The committee aims to ensure a balanced perspective from administration, investment, research, and industry.

Startups move into more advanced programs

Several former winners of French Tech 2030 have transitioned to the French Tech Next40/120 program, which supports more mature scale-ups. Quobly has joined the French Tech Next40, while GitGuardian, Latitude, and Spore.bio have joined the French Tech 120. In total, 19 companies from the 2030 program are now part of the Next40/120, including Mistral AI, Alice & Bob, and Exotrail.

Support includes extensive follow-up actions

Winners of the 2026 promotion receive more than 250 follow-up actions per month, including visibility, international and domestic meetings, support from correspondents in over 60 administrations, and help with financing plans. Lucie Chaumet emphasized the importance of these efforts in generating concrete results, particularly in international commercial contacts.

Regulatory support introduced for startups

A new initiative called the Deeptech Counter was launched in spring 2026 to help deeptech startups navigate regulatory challenges. Managed by the Interministerial Directorate for Public Transformation, it offers three possible solutions: maintaining existing rules, granting experimental exceptions, or changing regulations. Adrien Laroche noted that the 80 selected startups receive comprehensive support throughout the year, and the counter is available to all other deeptech startups needing assistance.