Paris Region has become the European Union's leading financial center, ahead of London (source: Bloomberg). The French market has become the most attractive in Europe in terms of business opportunities, availability of equity capital, financial aid and a business-friendly regulatory environment.
Can you still allow yourself not to be established in Paris Region?
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Expert
Claude Chevalier
Financial Services & FinTechExpert
Analyse de l’expert filière
Paris Region offers unique opportunities thanks to the concentration of financial decision-making centers in Paris and La Défense. The digital transition is revolutionizing the digitization of banking and insurance processes, and this is creating numerous opportunities for international fintechs. By setting up your fintech in Paris Region, you'll benefit from this dynamic, thriving and particularly innovative ecosystem.
Several factors have helped make Paris Region the No. 1 fintech ecosystem in Europe:
Fundraising by fintechs - France, with €939 million raised, remains the leading market in the European Union, with 18% of funds raised in 2023, ahead of Germany (€707 million for 14%). Fintechs can count on investments made by VCs such as Tiger, Kima, Truffle, Alven and Breega.
Diversity of stakeholders - These stakeholders cover the entire spectrum: from financing and payment to insurtech, regtech, investment and wealth solutions and banking services.
Digital processes - Major financial stakeholders are making the transition to digital offerings and IT agility top priorities.
Close collaboration between the public and private sectors - Regular interaction between regulators and market stakeholders is one of the key strengths of Paris Region, with the region's financial center benefiting from close public-private collaboration.
Top-notch research and talent - Some of the best researchers in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, big data and mathematics are joining the Paris Region fintech ecosystem every day, helping to make the Region a leading stakeholder in this field. Fintech companies can draw on the excellence of financial engineering programs at universities such as Paris Dauphine, Polytechnique, HEC and ESSEC to recruit their best and brightest.
JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, BlackRock and hedge fund Brevan Howard have recently opened technical centers with a global reach in Paris on quantitative finance and AI. Don't hesitate to ask us about innovation.
Gas pedals and clusters to support your growth in Paris Region
In Paris Region, accelerating and incubating your fintech is quick and easy...and sometimes free. There are several programs available to help your business grow and prosper.
Paris&Co Finance and Insurance is the first French innovation platform dedicated to fintech. With over 50 startups, it promotes open innovation and relies on a large network of partners, including SG, Mastercard, AG2R La Mondiale, FDJ... Learn more.
BNP Paribas – PlugAndPlay brings together a group of experts from BNPP subsidiaries (CARDIF insurance, asset management, payment, insurance, cyber, banking processes...) as well as a vast network of venture capital firms, mentors and executives to help companies raise funds and bring their products to market. This gas pedal offers a 12-week program during which fintechs are offered exclusive services free of charge: coworking space, numerous events and fund-raising opportunities. Learn more.
The Village by CA Paris is an innovation gas pedal. It brings together startups and major corporations to help each accelerate their business. 500 startups have been accelerated. The venue is exceptional: a rooftop, an atrium, a Living Lab and an auditorium. Learn more.
Platform 58 is La Banque Postale's incubator. This innovation platform supports startups in their seed phase, by providing them with 34,445 sq. ft. of office space in the heart of Paris. Learn more.
The Finance Innovation Cluster helps international fintechs that want to develop their business in Paris Region to establish contacts. It relies on a community of 600 stakeholders: innovative fintechs, banks, insurance companies, major universities and research laboratories. It organizes numerous webinars that showcase the expertise of its members. Learn more.
France FinTech's main mission is to promote the fintech ecosystem through numerous meetings, working groups and publications. Every year it organizes the FinTech R:Evolution in Paris, the highlight of the French Fintech week.
Fintech events in Paris Region
The Paris Fintech Forum, Leaders Summit, Paris – This annual forum is Europe's most international event dedicated to digital finance. In 2023, over 500 international participants from 40 countries came to hear 100 CEOs speak on the latest market trends, thus making it a high-level networking venue unique in Europe. Learn more.
Paris Retail Week, Paris, September - The major European event for retail professionals who work in the fields of fintech, logistics and payment solutions. Learn more.
Fintech R:Evolution, Paris, October 19, 2023 - The largest event in France for stakeholders in the sector, with a program focused on developments in the ecosystem and entrepreneurs. Learn more.
Finov, Paris- December 2024 - This annual event brings together the key stakeholders in financial innovation: 130 expert speakers will take the floor: BPCE, Credit Agricole, Arkea and unicorns like Payhawk... Topics covered: cyber, AI ,crypto, anti-fraud during round tables, keynotes and feedback. Learn more.
In the News
Building Bridges Between Countries - Bank of Communications’ investment in Paris Region
Bank of Communications, the 5th largest bank in mainland China, chose Paris Region as the base for its business operations in France and an entry point into the European market. Driven by the objective of establishing relations between both countries, Bank of Communications set up their Paris branch to take advantage of the region’s flourishing economic ecosystem that is propelling international business and investments. Find out why they believe Paris is quickly evolving into a prime financial center and how our agency provided support in their expansion.
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Moving From Canada to Paris Region: Simplyk’s Global Expansion
Launched in 2015, Simplyk is an online platform that provides nonprofit organizations a streamlined fundraising tool for donations, peer-to-peer campaigns, volunteering, and much more. A 100% free platform, Simplyk helps nonprofits maintain low overhead costs and maximize their impact. The largest volunteering platform in Quebec with over 4k users, the team is now accelerating their global expansion with a second office in Paris Region. We spoke to Thibaut Jaurou, CTO of Simplyk, who told us about recruiting top talent and the benefits of the startup acceleration programs in Paris Region.
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