Analysis

January 26, 2024

From minister to tech bro: French tech is poaching talent straight from the government

Government officials are joining the ranks of France’s growing “startup nation”. But strict laws to stop conflicts of interest are causing controversy


Image: Midjourney / Lexie Yu

The age-old tale of the revolving doors in France between government and business is so deeply ingrained in the culture that the French even have a word for it: pantouflage

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Photo of Cédric O, France's former digital minister
Cédric O, France's former digital minister
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A photo of Fleur Pellerin
Fleur Pellerin, founder of Korelya Capital (Photo by Olivier Vigerie / Contour by Getty Images)
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Daphné Leprince-Ringuet

Daphné Leprince-Ringuet is a senior reporter for Sifted, based in Paris. She covers French tech and writes Sifted's AI and Deeptech newsletter . You can find her on X and LinkedIn

Chris O’Brien

Chris O’Brien is a writer for Sifted. He covers French tech, and can be found on X and LinkedIn

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