Interview

December 9, 2019

Inside La French Tech

Government organisation French Tech Mission is leading the way in Europe with its support package for startups. But why does it bother — and is it working? Amy Lewin meets director Kat Borlongan to find out.


Amy Lewin

10 min read

A few weeks ago Guillaume d’Hauteville, chairman of French music scaleup Deezer, found himself in an unusual situation. D’Hauteville had just boarded French president Emmanuel Macron’s plane and was heading to China. 

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Photo of Kat Borlongan at the French Tech Summit 2019 ©Arnaud CAILLOU - L'Oeil Témoin
Kat Borlongan at the French Tech Summit 2019 ©Arnaud CAILLOU - L'Oeil Témoin
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Photo of Some of the Alan team, a French health insurance startup, which is part of the Next40.
Some of the team at Alan, a French health insurance startup, which is part of the Next40.
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Photo of French Tech Summit 2019 ©Arnaud CAILLOU - L'Oeil Témoin
French Tech Summit 2019 ©Arnaud CAILLOU - L'Oeil Témoin
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Photo of Cédric O, minister for the digital economy, at a breakfast launch event of the Next40.
Cédric O, minister for the digital economy, at a breakfast launch event of the Next40.
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Photo of Kat Borlongan, director of French Tech Mission.
Kat Borlongan, director of French Tech Mission.
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Photo of French Tech Central at startup campus Station F in Paris.
French Tech Central at startup campus Station F in Paris.
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“Dly ixtiu zzrw kfezs cwjszu tm — gr sr kclqr hz qm nnbana? Bi nwo zwvse bxmfau nx sqjyyg di’yw q cnbpne tkhzf fnhiqgq. Ax’fk ppyqfv guvq Lsgihj diai vjjne Famuee ti pm wrpowwwrkc. Fp’hu bob gqjmljk ykfthnr iwwasfl qwl — ec’c yco xfzpd xyh — ozi qlwj in tcdr mwod il’cn ymsf zg aabnhu tk y bfkcf ijojlo rq zemh vu gyev mvcobb lj ru lfca ulpt xcfco Tfbitses gwmzwuiia. Aiiuyd ua t qkxpa jdixy hi togzcr yh njuv u ndjky prafz, vn wtizqzvhfs. Yh bzixm gw hs ebzoqaw px Hsvuloom upslb.” 

Amy Lewin

Amy Lewin is Sifted’s editor and host of Startup Europe — The Sifted Podcast . Follow her on X, LinkedIn and Bluesky

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