So far this year French startups have raised a record €5.6bn from VC funds, more than the €5bn in all of 2020.
But which are the country's most exciting startups and scaleups? Which are the ones 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
2019
€26m
SERIES A
€80-120m
10-50
Outsight
Outsight brings Full Situation Awareness to smart machines
artificial intelligence / deep tech
outsight.techParis , France
2019
€21m
GRANT
€73-109m
10-50
Outsight
Outsight brings Full Situation Awareness to smart machines
artificial intelligence / deep tech
outsight.techParis , France
2019
€21m
GRANT
€73-109m
10-50
Pigment
Saas startup based in Paris
saas / fintech
gopigment.comParis , France
2019
€24m
SERIES A
€94-141m
10-50
2019
€24m
SERIES A
€94-141m
10-50
Ornikar
France's leading online driving school
education; transportation / navigation & mapping
ornikar.comParis, France
2014
€155m
SERIES C
€140-210m
100-500
Ornikar
France's leading online driving school
education; transportation / navigation & mapping
ornikar.comParis, France
2014
€155m
SERIES C
€140-210m
100-500
Brut
New media exclusively digital
media / content production
brut.mediaVilleneuve-d'Ascq, France
2016
€115m
SERIES C
€145-218m
100-500
2016
€115m
SERIES C
€145-218m
100-500
Kayrros
Brings insights to global oil and gas and energy markets
energy; enterprise software /
kayrros.comParis, France
2016
€34m
SERIES B
€89-133m
100-500
Kayrros
Brings insights to global oil and gas and energy markets
energy; enterprise software /
kayrros.comParis, France
2016
€34m
SERIES B
€89-133m
100-500
Welcome to the Jungle
Recruitment and employment media startup
media; jobs recruitment /
welcometothejungle.coParis, France
2014
€29m
SERIES A
€81-122m
100-500
Welcome to the Jungle
Recruitment and employment media startup
media; jobs recruitment /
welcometothejungle.coParis, France
2014
€29m
SERIES A
€81-122m
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
€84-126m
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
€84-126m
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
€80-120m
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
€80-120m
100-500
Critizr
Enables users to leave feedback directly to the business
marketing / crm & sales
critizr.comLille, France
2011
€22m
SERIES B
€60-90m
50-100
Critizr
Enables users to leave feedback directly to the business
marketing / crm & sales
critizr.comLille, France
2011
€22m
SERIES B
€60-90m
50-100
2016
€30m
EARLY VC
€44-67m
50-100
Selency
Community platform specialising in pre-owned furniture and decor items
home living /
selency.coFrancilly-Selency, France
2014
€18m
SERIES B
€60-90m
10-50
Selency
Community platform specialising in pre-owned furniture and decor items
home living /
selency.coFrancilly-Selency, France
2014
€18m
SERIES B
€60-90m
10-50
Gymlib
Access to fitness spaces
wellness beauty; sports / sport league & club
gymlib.comParis, France
2013
€14m
EARLY VC
€40-60m
50-100
2013
€14m
EARLY VC
€40-60m
50-100
2016
€13m
SERIES A
€44-66m
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
€40-60m
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
€40-60m
50-100
Sketchfab
Publish interactive 3D content online
media / content production
sketchfab.comParis, France
2012
€11m
EARLY VC
€9-14m
50-100
2012
€11m
EARLY VC
€9-14m
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
€40-60m
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
€40-60m
100-500
2016
€9m
SERIES A
€32-48m
10-50
2015
€7m
EARLY VC
€20-30m
10-50
SIGFOX
Low-throughput communication for connected objects
iot internetofthings; transportation / logistics & delivery
sigfox.comLabège, France
2010
€284m
GROWTH EQUITY
€545m
100-500
SIGFOX
Low-throughput communication for connected objects
iot internetofthings; transportation / logistics & delivery
sigfox.comLabège, France
2010
€284m
GROWTH EQUITY
€545m
100-500
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