France has become one of the hottest tech hubs in Europe in recent years amid a huge push by the government and to make the country more startup-friendly.
In 2020 $5.2bn in venture capital funding was raised by French startups, up nearly threefold since 2015 as the ecosystem has really taken off.
But which are France’s most exciting startups and scaleups? Which are the French startups to watch in 2021?
Our team of experts at Sifted have chosen a list of more than 100 exciting companies we think you need to know about, with an added “Sifted take” to provide an extra layer of insight on the most interesting.
It's a mixture of the big and the small, the well known and the under the radar. But all are making waves. Keep reading below and stay informed about Europe’s new economy!
(P.S The data is from European Startups with valuation estimates from Dealroom. If there is anyone missing from this list, or anything is wrong, please let us know by email at [email protected]).
Key
Year founded
Amount raised
Last funding round
Valuation
Employees
2016
€125m
SERIES C
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Doctolib
Medical booking platform
health / health platform
doctolib.frParis, France
2013
€237m
LATE VC
€1- B
1000-5000
Ynsect
Transforming insects into nutrients for agriculture
food / innovative food; agritech
ynsect.comÉvry, France
2011
€355m
GRANT
€568- M
100-500
Ynsect
Transforming insects into nutrients for agriculture
food / innovative food; agritech
ynsect.comÉvry, France
2011
€355m
GRANT
€568- M
100-500

Moka
Round up your purchases, invest your spare change. Easy, automatic and responsible.
fintech / investing
moka.ai/franceParis, France
2020
€14m
SERIES A
€28-41m
10-50

Moka
Round up your purchases, invest your spare change. Easy, automatic and responsible.
fintech / investing
moka.ai/franceParis, France
2020
€14m
SERIES A
€28-41m
10-50
Pennylane
Pennylane, launched in 2020, is a book keeping startup.
fintech / saas
pennylane.techParis , France
2020
€4m
SEED
€16-€24 M
50-100
Pennylane
Pennylane, launched in 2020, is a book keeping startup.
fintech / saas
pennylane.techParis , France
2020
€4m
SEED
€16-€24 M
50-100
2017
€13m
SEED
€51-€76 M
50-100
Spendesk
Smart spend management software
enterprise software / payments
spendesk.comParis, France
2016
€61m
SERIES B
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PayFit
Simplifying payroll management
fintech; enterprise software / financial management solutions
payfit.comParis, France
2015
€90m
SERIES B
€280-€420 M
100-500
PayFit
Simplifying payroll management
fintech; enterprise software / financial management solutions
payfit.comParis, France
2015
€90m
SERIES B
€280-€420 M
100-500
Alma
The guaranteed and easy installment payment
fintech / payments
getalma.euNeuilly-sur-Seine, France
2018
€65m
DEBT
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Alma
The guaranteed and easy installment payment
fintech / payments
getalma.euNeuilly-sur-Seine, France
2018
€65m
DEBT
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Agricool
Technology to grow fruit and vegetables inside shipping containers
food / agritech
agricool.coLa Courneuve, France
2015
€37m
SERIES A
€100-€150 M
50-100
Agricool
Technology to grow fruit and vegetables inside shipping containers
food / agritech
agricool.coLa Courneuve, France
2015
€37m
SERIES A
€100-€150 M
50-100
ManoMano
Gardening and DIY community
home living /
manomano.frParis, France
2013
€310m
SERIES D
€500-€750 M
500-1000
Lydia
All your payment needs - in one app
payments / mobile app
lydia-app.comParis, France
2011
€142m
SERIES B
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BackMarket
Online marketplace dedicated to refurbished products
marketplace and ecommerce / retail
backmarket.frBordeaux, France
2014
€8m
SERIES C
€440-€660 M
100-500
BackMarket
Online marketplace dedicated to refurbished products
marketplace and ecommerce / retail
backmarket.frBordeaux, France
2014
€8m
SERIES C
€440-€660 M
100-500
BlaBlaCar
Connecting drivers with empty seats to people looking for a ride
travel; transportation / mobility
blablacar.comParis, France
2006
€405m
GROWTH EQUITY
€1,600- M
500-1000
BlaBlaCar
Connecting drivers with empty seats to people looking for a ride
travel; transportation / mobility
blablacar.comParis, France
2006
€405m
GROWTH EQUITY
€1,600- M
500-1000

Vestiaire Collective
Circular fashion platform
ecommerce / fashion
vestiairecollective.comParis, France
2009
€219m
SERIES G
€236-354m
500-1000

Vestiaire Collective
Circular fashion platform
ecommerce / fashion
vestiairecollective.comParis, France
2009
€219m
SERIES G
€236-354m
500-1000
Ledger
Provides security and infrastructure solutions for cryptocurrencies and blockchain applications
fintech / cryptocurrency
ledger.comParis, France
2014
€87m
SERIES C
€261-M M
100-500
Ledger
Provides security and infrastructure solutions for cryptocurrencies and blockchain applications
fintech / cryptocurrency
ledger.comParis, France
2014
€87m
SERIES C
€261-M M
100-500
October
P2P lending platform for SMEs
fintech / mortgages & lending
october.euParis, France
2014
€55m
SERIES C
€128-€192 M
50-100
Heetch
Ride-sharing app targeted at late night transportation seekers in France
travel; transportation / mobility
heetch.comParis, France
2013
€67m
SERIES B
€15-€22 M
100-500
Heetch
Ride-sharing app targeted at late night transportation seekers in France
travel; transportation / mobility
heetch.comParis, France
2013
€67m
SERIES B
€15-€22 M
100-500
Kard
Mobile banking alternative for the new generation, offering a never-seen-before customer experience that is cool, social & free
Paris, France
2018
€6m
SEED
€13-€19 M
10-50
Kard
Mobile banking alternative for the new generation, offering a never-seen-before customer experience that is cool, social & free
Paris, France
2018
€6m
SEED
€13-€19 M
10-50
Cityscoot
Electric scooters rental
energy; transportation / mobility
cityscoot.euParis, France
2014
€79m
SERIES B
€94-€142 M
100-500
Evaneos
Online platform that directly connects travellers to local travel agencies
travel / online travel agency
evaneos.comParis, France
2009
€98m
LATE VC
€291-€436 M
50-100
Evaneos
Online platform that directly connects travellers to local travel agencies
travel / online travel agency
evaneos.comParis, France
2009
€98m
LATE VC
€291-€436 M
50-100
2018
€114m
SERIES C
€280-€420 M
100-500
Shift Technology
Fraud-detection technology designed for insurance industry
security; fintech / identity & access; insurance
shift-technology.comParis, France
2013
€89m
SERIES C
€212-€318 M
100-500
Shift Technology
Fraud-detection technology designed for insurance industry
security; fintech / identity & access; insurance
shift-technology.comParis, France
2013
€89m
SERIES C
€212-€318 M
100-500

Virtuo
App-based car rental experience that's so good, you'll never need to own a car again
mobility / transportation; car rental
govirtuo.comParis, France
2015
€29m
SERIES B
€80-120m
100-500

Virtuo
App-based car rental experience that's so good, you'll never need to own a car again
mobility / transportation; car rental
govirtuo.comParis, France
2015
€29m
SERIES B
€80-120m
100-500
Akeneo
A product experience management company
marketing / crm & sales
akeneo.comNantes, France
2013
€56m
SERIES C
€167-€251 M
100-500
Delair
Drones and image-based data analysis for industries and agriculture
drones; agriculture; data /
delair-tech.comLabege, France
2011
€39m
SERIES B
€91-€136 M
100-500
Delair
Drones and image-based data analysis for industries and agriculture
drones; agriculture; data /
delair-tech.comLabege, France
2011
€39m
SERIES B
€91-€136 M
100-500
360Learning
E-learning strategy provider
education /
360learning.comParis, France
2010
€38m
LATE VC
€149-€224 M
100-500
Klaxoon
Team colaboration software
education; enterprise software /
klaxoon.comParis, France
2014
€50m
SERIES B
€182-€273 M
100-500
TreeFrog Therapeutics
TreeFrog Therapeutics is a stem cell company that will enable millions of patients to access the medical revolution of cell therapies by overcoming current critical manufacturing issues
healthtech / biotechnology
treefrog.frBordeaux, France
2018
€11m
GRANT
€28-€42 M
10-50
TreeFrog Therapeutics
TreeFrog Therapeutics is a stem cell company that will enable millions of patients to access the medical revolution of cell therapies by overcoming current critical manufacturing issues
healthtech / biotechnology
treefrog.frBordeaux, France
2018
€11m
GRANT
€28-€42 M
10-50
CAILabs
Provider of innovative photonics solution to increase the capacity of optical fibers
telecom /
cailabs.comRennes, France
2013
€17m
SERIES B
€32-€48 M
50-100
CAILabs
Provider of innovative photonics solution to increase the capacity of optical fibers
telecom /
cailabs.comRennes, France
2013
€17m
SERIES B
€32-€48 M
50-100
Finexkap
Web-based platform providing short-term working capital solutions
fintech / mortgages & lending
finexkap.comParis, France
2012
€47m
EARLY VC
€160-€241 M
10-50
Finexkap
Web-based platform providing short-term working capital solutions
fintech / mortgages & lending
finexkap.comParis, France
2012
€47m
EARLY VC
€160-€241 M
10-50
Descartes Underwriting
Descartes Underwriting is an insurtech company that specializes in climate risk modeling and data-driven risk transfer
fintech / insurance & big data
descartesunderwriting.comPuteaux, France
2018
€19m
SERIES A
€67-€101 M
10-50
Descartes Underwriting
Descartes Underwriting is an insurtech company that specializes in climate risk modeling and data-driven risk transfer
fintech / insurance & big data
descartesunderwriting.comPuteaux, France
2018
€19m
SERIES A
€67-€101 M
10-50
Finfrog
Smart personal loans
fintech / mortgages & lending
finfrog.frParis , France
2016
€8m
EARLY VC
€20-€30 M
10-50
Ankorstore
The first marketplace to connect brands and designers with boutiques all over Europe
marketplace and ecommerce / retail
ankorstore.comParis , France
2016
€31m
SERIES A
€100-€150 M
10-50
Ankorstore
The first marketplace to connect brands and designers with boutiques all over Europe
marketplace and ecommerce / retail
ankorstore.comParis , France
2016
€31m
SERIES A
€100-€150 M
10-50
Wandercraft
Develops robotic innovative wheelchair for disabled people
health; robotics / medical devices
wandercraft.euParis, France
2012
€20m
SERIES B
€60-€90 M
50-100
Wandercraft
Develops robotic innovative wheelchair for disabled people
health; robotics / medical devices
wandercraft.euParis, France
2012
€20m
SERIES B
€60-€90 M
50-100

Finalcad
Mobile apps and predictive analytics for construction
real estate; enterprise software /
finalcad.comGometz-la-Ville, France
2012
€57m
SERIES C
€145-€218 M
100-500

Finalcad
Mobile apps and predictive analytics for construction
real estate; enterprise software /
finalcad.comGometz-la-Ville, France
2012
€57m
SERIES C
€145-€218 M
100-500
Molotov
Reinvents how people watch tv
media / subscription
molotov.tvParis , France
2015
€8m
SERIES B
€33-€49 M
100-500
Angell
Designed and produced a smart bike for better mobility experience
manufacturing / mobility
angell.bikeParis , France
2018
€10m
SEED
- M
10-50
Angell
Designed and produced a smart bike for better mobility experience
manufacturing / mobility
angell.bikeParis , France
2018
€10m
SEED
- M
10-50
Qwarry
Semantic marketing platform
saas / subscription
qwarry.comParis , France
2019
€2m
SEED
€8-€12 M
10-50
2016
€17m
SERIES A
€60-€90 M
50-100
PacketAI
PacketAI uses AI to automate IT Operations
subscription / deep tech
packetai.coParis , France
2018
€2m
SEED
€8-€12 M
10-50
PacketAI
PacketAI uses AI to automate IT Operations
subscription / deep tech
packetai.coParis , France
2018
€2m
SEED
€8-€12 M
10-50
Joko
A mobile app that rewards the user every time they spend using their bank card
payments / fintech
hellojoko.comParis , France
2018
€12m
SERIES A
€40-€60 M
50-100
Joko
A mobile app that rewards the user every time they spend using their bank card
payments / fintech
hellojoko.comParis , France
2018
€12m
SERIES A
€40-€60 M
50-100
DreamQuark
Provide bank and insurance sales and customer engagement teams with AI based recommendations that generate new sales opportunities and engage better customers
fintech / saas
dreamquark.comParis , France
2014
€18m
EARLY VC
€57-€85 M
10-50
DreamQuark
Provide bank and insurance sales and customer engagement teams with AI based recommendations that generate new sales opportunities and engage better customers
fintech / saas
dreamquark.comParis , France
2014
€18m
EARLY VC
€57-€85 M
10-50
2019
€26m
SERIES A
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Outsight
Outsight brings Full Situation Awareness to smart machines
artificial intelligence / deep tech
outsight.techParis , France
2019
€21m
GRANT
€73-€109 M
10-50
Outsight
Outsight brings Full Situation Awareness to smart machines
artificial intelligence / deep tech
outsight.techParis , France
2019
€21m
GRANT
€73-€109 M
10-50
Typology
Typology is a Paris-based project created to radically change the skincare and consumer industry for the better
manufacturing / B2C
typology.comParis , France
2018
€9m
SEED
€35-€53 M
10-50
Typology
Typology is a Paris-based project created to radically change the skincare and consumer industry for the better
manufacturing / B2C
typology.comParis , France
2018
€9m
SEED
€35-€53 M
10-50
Iziwork
A platform for job seekers to find temporary work assignments
deep tech / marketplace
iziwork.comParis , France
2018
€56m
SERIES A
€48-€72 M
100-500
Iziwork
A platform for job seekers to find temporary work assignments
deep tech / marketplace
iziwork.comParis , France
2018
€56m
SERIES A
€48-€72 M
100-500
Pigment
Saas startup based in Paris
saas / fintech
gopigment.comParis , France
2019
€24m
SERIES A
€94-€141 M
10-50
Ornikar
France's leading online driving school
education; transportation / navigation & mapping
ornikar.comParis, France
2014
€46m
SERIES B
€140-€210 M
100-500
Ornikar
France's leading online driving school
education; transportation / navigation & mapping
ornikar.comParis, France
2014
€46m
SERIES B
€140-€210 M
100-500
2016
€46m
SERIES B
€145-€218 M
100-500
Kayrros
Brings insights to global oil and gas and energy markets
energy; enterprise software /
kayrros.comParis, France
2016
€34m
SERIES B
€89-€133 M
100-500
Kayrros
Brings insights to global oil and gas and energy markets
energy; enterprise software /
kayrros.comParis, France
2016
€34m
SERIES B
€89-€133 M
100-500
Welcome to the Jungle
Recruitment and employment media startup
media; jobs recruitment /
welcometothejungle.coParis, France
2014
€29m
SERIES A
€81-€122 M
100-500
Welcome to the Jungle
Recruitment and employment media startup
media; jobs recruitment /
welcometothejungle.coParis, France
2014
€29m
SERIES A
€81-€122 M
100-500
Alkemics
Enabling personalised shopping experience in both the digital and real world
marketing; enterprise software / ecommerce solutions
alkemics.comParis, France
2011
€46m
SERIES B
€84-€126 M
50-100
Alkemics
Enabling personalised shopping experience in both the digital and real world
marketing; enterprise software / ecommerce solutions
alkemics.comParis, France
2011
€46m
SERIES B
€84-€126 M
50-100

Proprioo
Alternative to traditional real estate agencies and sites of sale between individuals when you want to sell your property
real estate / real estate services; search, buy & rent
proprioo.frParis, France
2016
€26m
SERIES B
€80-€120 M
100-500

Proprioo
Alternative to traditional real estate agencies and sites of sale between individuals when you want to sell your property
real estate / real estate services; search, buy & rent
proprioo.frParis, France
2016
€26m
SERIES B
€80-€120 M
100-500
Critizr
Enables users to leave feedback directly to the business
marketing / crm & sales
critizr.comLille, France
2011
€22m
SERIES B
€60-€90 M
50-100
Critizr
Enables users to leave feedback directly to the business
marketing / crm & sales
critizr.comLille, France
2011
€22m
SERIES B
€60-€90 M
50-100
Selency
Community platform specialising in pre-owned furniture and decor items
home living /
selency.coFrancilly-Selency, France
2014
€18m
SERIES B
€60-€90 M
10-50
Selency
Community platform specialising in pre-owned furniture and decor items
home living /
selency.coFrancilly-Selency, France
2014
€18m
SERIES B
€60-€90 M
10-50

Gymlib
Access to fitness spaces
wellness beauty; sports / sport league & club
gymlib.comParis, France
2013
€14m
EARLY VC
€40-€60 M
50-100
2016
€13m
SERIES A
€44-€66 M
100-500
Doctrine
Aims to revolutionize the traditional legal research and publishing industry
legal; education / legal documents management
doctrine.frParis, France
2016
€12m
SERIES A
€40-€60 M
50-100
Doctrine
Aims to revolutionize the traditional legal research and publishing industry
legal; education / legal documents management
doctrine.frParis, France
2016
€12m
SERIES A
€40-€60 M
50-100
Sketchfab
Publish interactive 3D content online
media / content production
sketchfab.comParis, France
2012
€11m
EARLY VC
50-100
StarOfService
To find the best professional for any service close to home
jobs recruitment /
starofservice.comParis, France
2012
€11m
SERIES A
€36-€55 M
50-100
StarOfService
To find the best professional for any service close to home
jobs recruitment /
starofservice.comParis, France
2012
€11m
SERIES A
€36-€55 M
50-100
Papernest
Takes the most binding administrative steps in place of its customers
fintech; real estate / real estate software; real estate services; mortgages & lending
papernest.comParis, France
2015
€10m
SERIES A
€40-€60 M
100-500
Papernest
Takes the most binding administrative steps in place of its customers
fintech; real estate / real estate software; real estate services; mortgages & lending
papernest.comParis, France
2015
€10m
SERIES A
€40-€60 M
100-500
Kactus
Corporate event booking service
event tech /
kactus.comParis, France
2015
€7m
EARLY VC
€20-€30 M
10-50
SIGFOX
Low-throughput communication for connected objects
iot internetofthings; transportation / logistics & delivery
sigfox.comLabège, France
2010
€284m
GROWTH EQUITY
€545- M
100-500
SIGFOX
Low-throughput communication for connected objects
iot internetofthings; transportation / logistics & delivery
sigfox.comLabège, France
2010
€284m
GROWTH EQUITY
€545- M
100-500
2014
€14m
CONVERTIBLE
€13-€19 M
50-100
Andjaro
SaaS platform for HR management
jobs recruitment; enterprise software /
andjaro.comParis, France
2015
€34m
SERIES B
€58-€87 M
50-100
Andjaro
SaaS platform for HR management
jobs recruitment; enterprise software /
andjaro.comParis, France
2015
€34m
SERIES B
€58-€87 M
50-100
La Belle Vie
Delivers 4500 fresh, organic, artisanal products, groceries and daily products
food / logistics & delivery
labellevie.comParis, France
2015
€17m
SERIES B
€46-€70 M
50-100
La Belle Vie
Delivers 4500 fresh, organic, artisanal products, groceries and daily products
food / logistics & delivery
labellevie.comParis, France
2015
€17m
SERIES B
€46-€70 M
50-100
2016
€14m
SERIES A
€40-€60 M
10-50

Tempow
We stream music from one smartphone to multiple Bluetooth devices (headphones, earbuds)
music /
tempow.comParis, France
2016
€4m
SERIES A
€15-€22 M
10-50

Tempow
We stream music from one smartphone to multiple Bluetooth devices (headphones, earbuds)
music /
tempow.comParis, France
2016
€4m
SERIES A
€15-€22 M
10-50

Foxintelligence
Transaction-based market intelligence
enterprise software /
foxintelligence.frParis, France
2016
€16m
SERIES B
€36-€54 M
50-100

Foxintelligence
Transaction-based market intelligence
enterprise software /
foxintelligence.frParis, France
2016
€16m
SERIES B
€36-€54 M
50-100

Station Paris
Browser that unifies work applications in a single interface
Paris, France
2016
€3m
SEED
€13-€20 M
10-50

2016
€3m
SEED
€13-€20 M
10-50

Tissium
Develops biodegradable sealants and adhesives
health / biotech
tissium.comParis, France
2013
€79m
SERIES B
€156-€234 M
50-100
Flatlooker
Flatlooker - Visit and rent your next accommodation online
travel; real estate / booking & search; accommodation
flatlooker.comParis, France
2016
€2m
EARLY VC
€6-€9 M
10-50
Flatlooker
Flatlooker - Visit and rent your next accommodation online
travel; real estate / booking & search; accommodation
flatlooker.comParis, France
2016
€2m
EARLY VC
€6-€9 M
10-50
Zelros
An artificial intelligence-driven solution for insurance
insurance; artificial intelligence /
zelros.comParis, France
2016
€4m
EARLY VC
€16-€24 M
10-50
Zelros
An artificial intelligence-driven solution for insurance
insurance; artificial intelligence /
zelros.comParis, France
2016
€4m
EARLY VC
€16-€24 M
10-50
2017
€28m
SERIES B
€80-€120 M
100-500
Foodles
Offers a “canteen of the future” for food in the workplace
food /
foodles.coClichy, France
2014
€12m
SERIES A
€40-€60 M
Liberkeys
Proptech startup trying to reinvent the process of house buying
real estate /
liberkeys.comParis, France
2017
€5m
SEED
€16-€24 M
50-100
Liberkeys
Proptech startup trying to reinvent the process of house buying
real estate /
liberkeys.comParis, France
2017
€5m
SEED
€16-€24 M
50-100
Oh BiBi
Mobile gamedev studio
gaming / mobile gaming
ohbibi.comParis, France
2012
€23m
SERIES B
€76-€115 M
10-50
Younited-credit
Online platform to facilitate financial transactions between lenders and borrowers
fintech / mortgages & lending
younited-credit.comParis, France
2009
€172m
SERIES F
€260-€390 M
100-500
Younited-credit
Online platform to facilitate financial transactions between lenders and borrowers
fintech / mortgages & lending
younited-credit.comParis, France
2009
€172m
SERIES F
€260-€390 M
100-500
Vade Secure
Security features against sophisticated email scams
security / cloud & infrastructure
vadesecure.comHem, France
2009
€82m
SERIES A
€288-€431 M
100-500
Vade Secure
Security features against sophisticated email scams
security / cloud & infrastructure
vadesecure.comHem, France
2009
€82m
SERIES A
€288-€431 M
100-500
Mansa
A platform offering credit to freelancers and self-employed workers
fintech / commission
getmansa.comParis , France
2018
€3m
SEED
€8-€12 M
10-50
Mansa
A platform offering credit to freelancers and self-employed workers
fintech / commission
getmansa.comParis , France
2018
€3m
SEED
€8-€12 M
10-50

Wecasa
Beauty and wellbeing services app
app / beauty & wellness
www.wecasa.frParis, France
2016
€6m
SERIES A
€18-27 M
50-100
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