SLUSH 2023: Business France will support 34 French Tech companies in their international deployment

Business France and its partners selected French startups for their strong potential in key sectors such as deeptech, data analysis, AI, retailtech, healthtech, foodtech and cybersecurity.

Most of them have in common their desire to export to the Nordic countries and also, for the majority of them, to start the fundraising process. Indeed, SLUSH has a strong presence of European investors who are highly sought after by start-ups in the current context of reduced investments.

Read more : The French delegation catalogue

During these two days, these startups will be among the 20,000 participants gathered at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Center, taking advantage of a specific format that encourages meetings with major European investors, executives and the media.

To prepare these companies for the event, Business France organised upstream networking events, including coaching to raise funds and improve pitches, an immersion day, a pitching competition and a bespoke face-to-face bootcamp, led by qualified experts.

Participants also had early access to the matchmaking platform for which they received advice to identify the relevant people to meet at the event. Because networking does not stop at the conference, they will take part in many side events such as the France evening organised by French Tech, where they will be able to meet foreign VCs and key accounts.

The vitality of the Nordic startup ecosystem is striking. In the first half of 2022, domestic and international investors injected an unprecedented €523 million into Finnish start-ups. A vibrant community of start-ups, growing companies and equity investors has developed in the Helsinki region. The thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in this area is built on strong foundations, pointing to a promising future for local businesses and making them more competitive.

In the same dynamic, French start-ups are recording historic growth, having captured more than €4.3 billion raised in venture capital in the first quarters of 2023.

MEDIA CONTACT (FRANCE)
Siham Morchid, Media Manager – siham.morchid@businessfrance.fr

MEDIA CONTACT (FINLAND)
Vincent Joly, Country Director of Business France – vincent.joly@businessfrance.fr
Klara Theot, Media manager – klara.theot@businessfrance.fr

“La French Tech” is a government initiative to support the growth of its ecosystem of 20,000 startups. It brings together founders, investors, and community builders in France and all around the world with the mission of structuring and growing the French startup ecosystem.

With 28 unicorns and an increasingly diverse ecosystem, French startups are providing solutions and developing disruptive innovations in many strategic sectors such as Green Tech, Health Tech, AgriTech and DeepTech. The Next 40/FT120 programme brings together the most important French late-stage startups, which are growing and have a rising international presence. All the startups that make up the Next 40 offer solutions to international clients.

Through various programmes, Mission French Tech is also working to create a more open ecosystem that promotes access to entrepreneurship for all and attracts many international talents thanks to the French Tech Visa. Each year, this programme provides a simplified procedure for thousands of non-European investors, founders and employees of startups wishing to settle in France.

Finally, with 63 international communities present in 49 countries, French Tech contributes to the international expansion of our startups, attracting international talents and investors.

• To know more about this initiative: www.lafrenchtech.com/en 
• Follow us on Twitter: @lafrenchtechEN
• Welcome to la French Tech desk: https://www.welcometofrance.com/welcome-to-la-french-tech

Choose France is a registered trademark of the French government that promotes France’s economic attractiveness internationally.

#ChooseFrance

Business France is the national agency supporting the international development of the French economy, responsible for fostering export growth by French businesses, as well as promoting and facilitating international investment in France. It promotes France’s companies, business image and nationwide attractiveness as an investment location, and also runs the VIE international internship program.

Business France has 1,500 personnel, both in France and in 56 countries throughout the world, who work with a network of partners.Since January 2019, as part of the reform of the state support system for exports, Business France has given private partners responsibility for supporting French SMEs and mid-size companies in the following markets: Belgium, Hungary, Morocco, Norway, the Philippines and Singapore.

For further information, please visit: https://www.businessfrance.fr/en/home  – @businessfrance          #BusinessFrance

Business France : 77, boulevard Saint-Jacques, 75680 Paris Cedex 14 – Tél. : +33 1 40 73 30 00