A strategic position at the heart of Europe
France is recognized as the best country in the world for quality of life, according to International Living’s 2009 Quality of Life index. France’s art de vivre makes the country the world’s number one tourist destination. But besides those states of mind, France has also one of the highest up-takes of electronic communications in Europe and many other attractive features.
Take advantage of France’s strengths to start your European side of venture.
- France is the 2nd largest consumer market in Europe and the 5th largest economy in the world
- France is the only European country to offer such easy and quick access to neighboring countries (network of roads, high-speed train…)
- France is the #1 investment destination in Europe and the world’s 2nd largest recipient of foreign investment
- Paris is ranked 2nd capital in the world in number of company headquarters
- France has 17 businesses that are among the world’s 200 largest, according to Forbes
- France has the lowest business setup costs in Europe (including labor, facilities/ utilities, transportation, and corporate taxes)
Skills, Qualifications and Expertise
- France has the 3rd rank among leading countries in the world in terms of hourly productivity
- France has a highly qualified labor force and adapts easily to new methods of working, at low cost
- France has a free education system, open to all and recognized as one of the best in the world (5 business schools among the top 12 in Europe according to the Financial Times’ latest rankings)
- France has the 4th rank in the world as host country for foreign students
Reforms and Major Changes
Since 2007, many major reforms have been improving the business environment and supporting a new enterprise culture:
- A simplified legal status for the self-employed (auto-entrepreneur status)
- Tax cuts both for individuals and companies
- A more flexible labor law
- Giving greater freedom to businesses
- Simplified and modified corporate law
- A more attractive legal environment for investment
Innovation as a priority
The crédit impôt recherche drastically reduces R&D expenses making it the Best Research Tax Credit, serving France’s goal to be one of the greatest R&D centers in the world. Innovation clusters gather public and private research, groups, and startups, unifying their strengths on specific projects.
France counts:
- an average of 100 spin-offs launched every year from universities and national labs (comparable to U.S. quotes)
- a one-stop shop for start-up formalities
- a deep and well organized network of incubators, in connection with their European peers, offering free feasibility studies and coaching, low cost housing and loans… (see the Montpellier Incubator, awarded twice by the NBIA: Best incubator in the world in 2007 and best soft landing in 2008)
- a national competition for innovative startups with a grant of up to $600k
- innovative fundraising for startups reaching the death valley period
Strong key industries:
- Electronic Payments
- Logistics
- Competitive and sustainable development advance
- Agriculture and food quality
- Construction, energy efficiency standards
- Transportation and communication infrastructures
- Biotech industry
- Nuclear energy, renewable energy and sustainability development
Webinar and Presentations
Hear some examples of France attractiveness.
Watch the webinar “Innovate in France” to hear testimonies from a YEi laureate, the OSEO agency, a venture capital and YEi’s manager.
Click here to watch a short video presentation of the YEI program and a global view on French support of innovation and entrepreneurship.
