Paris Region has become the leading global financial hub in the European Union. The French market is the most attractive in Europe in terms of opportunities, availability of capital and regulatory environment.
Expert
Claude Chevalier
Financial Services & FinTechExpert
A combination of factors has contributed to making Paris Region one of Europe’s greatest ecosystem for fintech businesses:
Capital availability - During the first semester of 2020, €496 million was raised in VC funding in France. This speaks for the dynamic role played by VCs and why fintech companies can rely on increasing amounts of capital invested by firms such as Speedinvest, Kima Ventures, Truffle Capital and Breega.
The diversity of players - For the Region’s large financial players, digitalizing their offers and increasing IT agility are top priorities. Besides, French neobanks are on the lookout for innovative solutions and are likely to collaborate with international fintechs. Among consumers and corporates, the trend indicates a growing interest for fintech products.
A major trading area - Paris is also home to Euronext, the EU’s biggest stock exchange by market capitalization (€4,167 bn) and by value of equity trading.
The close collaboration between the public and private sectors - Regular interaction between French market regulators and market players is one of Paris Region’s main assets as the region’s financial marketplace benefits from public-private collaboration.
World-class research and talents - Some of the best researchers in Artificial Intelligence, cyber-security, big data and applied mathematics join Paris Region’s Fintech ecosystem every day, thereby contributing to making Paris Region a top of the league player in the field. Fintech companies can count on top-tier financial engineering programs in universities such as Paris Dauphine, Polytechnique, HEC and ESSEC business schools to find their top talents.
Want to know more about FinTech in Paris Region? Watch our latest webinar here.
Accelerators and Clusters to Support Your Growth in Paris Region
In Paris Region, accelerating and incubating your Fintech is quick and easy. There are a myriad of programs to help your business grow and thrive.
Le Swave is the first French innovation platform committed to fintech businesses. With more than 50 startups, it fosters open innovation and operates with a large network of corporate and institutional partners. Learn More.
BNP Paribas – PlugAndPlay gathers a group of banking, insurance and fintech experts with a wide network of VCs, mentors and executives to help companies raise funds and bring their products to their market. The accelerator offers a 12-week program during which fintechs benefit from a free co-working space in the heart of Paris, numerous events and dealflow sessions. Learn More.
Le Village by CA Paris is a business accelerator connecting startups with large and medium-sized corporations. It helps startups grow in close partnership with its 40 corporates partners in an open innovation environment. Learn More.
Platform 58 is La Banque Postale’s incubator. This innovation platform supports early stage startups by offering them 3,200 sqm of office space in the heart of Paris. This space aims to create connections between startups, La Banque Postale’s partners and collaborators within the Group. Learn More.
Le Hub connects insurtechs with the teams from the French Insurance Trade Association. The welcoming startup space is designed to foster the development of new innovative products and services. Learn More.
The Finance Innovation Cluster supports the fintech ecosystem in France and abroad, facilitating connections between its members and the ecosystem. It engages a community of 600 players among which are innovative SMEs, banks, insurance corporations, major universities, research labs and public authorities. Its mission is to address the main barriers and opportunities in the financial ecosystem while helping local companies get funding. Learn More.
Fintech Events in Paris Region
Climate Finance Day, Paris, October – This annual event welcomes the top players in the financial industry to one place. In 2020, the focus was on the fight against climate change through a range of innovative public and private solutions implemented to reach the objectives of the Paris Agreement. Learn More.
The Paris Fintech Forum, Paris – This annual forum is the most exclusive European event on digital finance & fintech. In 2020, for its 5th edition, more than 2,700 international participants, from 75 countries, came to listen to 320 speakers and hear from 200 fintechs to hear about the latest market trends and the industry’s insights. Learn More.
