Top Startups to Watch in France (2024)

France's Top Startups to Keep an Eye On in 2024

Step into the vanguard of French innovation for 2024! In this vibrant ecosystem, a wave of pioneering startups is redefining industries with visionary ideas and cutting-edge technology. Explore the top startups poised to shape the future, led by visionary entrepreneurs who are driving progress and transforming the business landscape in France. Whether you're an investor, entrepreneur, or simply curious about the latest trends, join us on a journey through the captivating world of French startups in 2024.

Alan

Alan, a French health insurance startup founded in 2016 by Jean-Charles Samuelian and Charles Gorintin, offers intuitive health insurance, access to the Alan Clinic, and mental well-being services through Alan Mind. With over €493 million raised in funding, Alan is disrupting the industry with its innovative approach and is the first new independent insurance licensed in France since 1986, operating in France, Belgium, and Spain.

Alma

Alma, a French fintech startup, facilitates installment-based payments for both merchants and consumers, with services available online and in-store. With €271.5 million raised in funding, including a recent Series C round, Alma has gained market traction and garnered endorsements from industry professionals, aiming to enhance payment experiences and boost business turnover.

Anywr

Anywr, founded by Olivier Desurmont, is a pioneering digital ecosystem in the HR services sector, renowned for its innovative technology and commitment to data security. With €80 million raised in funding, Anywr operates as an "entreprise à mission," prioritizing societal goals and reducing barriers between talents and clients, thus making a positive impact on the French Tech scene.

Chapsvision

ChapsVision, founded by Olivier Dellenbach, offers computer software services tailored for sectors undergoing digital transformation, particularly in Retail, Finance, and Public Services. With €190 million raised in funding, including a recent Private Equity round in September 2023, ChapsVision has expanded through the acquisition of around fifteen companies since its establishment in 2019, integrating their technologies to enhance capabilities such as image and sound processing within its unified platform.

Dataiads

Dataïads offers digital marketing services aimed at improving the ROI of product advertisements through intelligent landing pages. Their AI-powered integration platform tailors marketing campaigns for personalized experiences across multiple channels like Google, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. With €6.5 million raised in funding, including a recent Seed round in October 2023, Dataïads enhances campaign performance through highly targeted, data-driven strategies.

Defacto

Defacto, founded by Jordane Giuly, Marc-Henri Gires, and Morgan O'hana, provides short-term financing solutions for small and medium-sized companies through an API-driven approach. Their platform addresses working capital needs, facilitates invoice financing, early payments to suppliers, and automates payment processes. With €198 million raised in funding, including a recent Series A round in November 2023, Defacto is poised to transform financial accessibility for SMEs.

ELECTRA

Electra, founded by Augustin Derville, Aurelien Meaux, and Julien Belliato, specializes in deploying and operating charging points for electric vehicles. Their platform includes an application where users can reserve charging stations and view estimated charging times, facilitating quick and convenient charging while reducing carbon emissions and pollution. With €506 million raised in funding over 4 rounds, including a recent Series B round in January 2024, Electra is playing a significant role in advancing sustainable transportation infrastructure.

Exotrail

Exotrail, co-founded by David Henri, Jean-Luc Maria, Nicolas Heitz, and Paul Lascombes in 2015, specializes in developing electric propulsion solutions for small satellites. Their safe and efficient Hall Effect Thrusters enable the construction of agile satellite constellations, poised to revolutionize telecommunication, earth observation, and scientific endeavors in space. With $75.4 million raised in funding over 5 rounds, including a Series B round in February 2023, Exotrail is at the forefront of advancing propulsion technology for the small satellite industry.

Flying Whales

Flying Whales, founded by Sébastien Bougon, aims to connect landlocked regions to the global economy through innovative transportation solutions. With €122 million raised in June 2022, Flying Whales plans to establish local production for global needs, starting in France and expanding to Canada and Asia. Their flagship project, the LCA60T, will be assembled in the tallest active industrial building in Europe, demonstrating their commitment to pioneering large-scale transportation infrastructure.

Gojob

Gojob, founded by Pascal Lorne, is an employment service platform offering temporary job offers across various sectors. As a workforce-as-a-service platform, Gojob leverages its technologies and data to make the labor market more fluid and accessible. With €40.4 million raised in funding over 4 rounds, including a Series B round in September 2022, Gojob is revolutionizing temporary job placement across logistics, construction, sales, transportation, and more.

Inocel

Inocel, founded in 2022 by Mauro Ricci and Mike Horn, is transforming the fuel cell sector with its commitment to clean energy solutions. The French startup develops high-power hydrogen fuel cells for various applications, accelerating the energy transition with €64 million raised in funding over 2 rounds.

Moon Surgical

Moon Surgical, founded by Aykhan Badalov, Brice Gayet, and Pierre Campredon, is revolutionizing surgery with its MastOR surgical robot. Their platform enhances laparoscopy with collaborative and adaptive robotics, increasing operating room efficiency and patient care. With $92.2 million raised in funding, including a recent Series B round in May 2023, Moon Surgical is shaping the future of surgical technology.

Ouihelp

Ouihelp, founded in 2016 by Bastien Gandouet, Pierre-Emmanuel Bercegeay, and Victor Sebag, provides an online residential assistance platform for seniors, emphasizing independence in their homes. With €33.4 million raised in funding, including a Series B round in May 2022, Ouihelp aims to expand its innovative home care services across France, focusing on improving the well-being of elderly individuals and simplifying interactions between caregivers and families.

Photoroom

Photoroom, founded by Eliot Andres and Matthieu Rouif, offers an AI-enabled image-capturing app for product photography, providing studio-quality pictures in seconds. With $62.1 million raised in funding, including a recent Series B round in February 2024, Photoroom gained traction during the pandemic, offering online solutions for businesses seeking efficient product photography. Its expansion includes features like background removal, AI-generated backgrounds, and image creation based on text prompts, contributing to its valuation of around $500 million.

Qonto

Qonto, founded by Alexandre Prot and Steve Anavi, is an online bank that simplifies business banking for small and medium-sized businesses and freelancers. With $709.5 million raised in funding over 8 rounds, including a recent round in August 2022, Qonto offers digital bank accounts tailored to diverse company needs, facilitating seamless payments and transactions.

Rise up

Rise Up, founded by Arnaud Blachon and Guillaume Blachon, offers LearningOpsTM, synchronizing training with business objectives. With €35 million raised, including a Series B round in May 2022, Rise Up accelerates European expansion and partners with Microsoft to provide innovative upskilling solutions. Recognized for its contributions to HR tech, Rise Up is a leader in European Learning & Development.

Swile

Swile, founded in 2018 by Loïc Soubeyrand, disrupts employee benefits with its all-in-one smartcard and super app. The Paris-based startup consolidates meal vouchers, gift vouchers, and mobility benefits, fostering better workplace culture through features like event creation and P2P payments. With $325.8 million raised in funding over 4 rounds, including a Series D round in October 2021, Swile revolutionizes employee benefits management.

Umiami

Umiami, founded in 2020 by Hugo Dupuis, Martin Habfast, and Tristan Maurel, is a French food-tech startup specializing in plant-based food technology to reduce meat consumption. Their offerings include plant-based whole-cuts containing plant proteins, providing consumers with alternatives that mimic the taste, texture, and smell of meat. With $95.7 million raised in funding over 6 rounds, including a Series A round in October 2023, Umiami is at the forefront of innovating plant-based alternatives in the food industry.

Upway

Upway, founded in 2019 by Stephane Ficaja and Toussaint Wattinne, is building Europe's leading marketplace for reconditioned e-bikes. Their electric bikes undergo a rigorous 20-point inspection and professional reconditioning, ensuring quality and affordability with a one-year warranty. With $60.6 million raised in funding over 3 rounds, including a Series B round in November 2023, Upway is revolutionizing the e-bike market by offering affordable, high-quality electric bikes delivered straight to customers' homes.

Zenchef

Zenchef, founded in 2010, provides a comprehensive platform for restaurants, including reservation, mobile payment, and loyalty services. With €57.7 million raised in funding over 6 rounds, Zenchef aims to lead Europe's restaurant tech sector, empowering owners with full control over the customer journey while serving over 6,000 restaurant clients across 15 countries.

As we conclude our exploration of France's top startups for 2024, it's clear that innovation is thriving in this dynamic landscape. The visionary entrepreneurs and disruptive ideas we've encountered are not only reshaping industries but also inspiring a new wave of possibilities. Whether in technology, commerce, sustainability, or beyond, these startups exemplify the spirit of innovation that defines France's entrepreneurial scene. As we look ahead, the future promises even more exciting developments and transformative ventures. Keep an eye on these startups and their journey towards shaping tomorrow's world. France's startup ecosystem is undoubtedly one to watch.