What is the current state of venture capital in France during 2023?

2023 has seen significant growth in venture capital activity in France. According to a recent report by KPMG, the total value of venture capital investments in France more than doubled from €4.9 billion in 2020 to over €11 billion in 2023. This growth was driven by strong performance from both local and international investors, with French companies receiving funding from countries such as the United States, Japan and China. The number of deals funded by venture capitalists also increased significantly during this period, rising from roughly 300 transactions in 2020 to over 500 transactions in 2023. This increase can be attributed mainly to an overall improvement in market conditions since the global financial crisis of 2008-2009, as well as increased awareness among investors about the potential of investing in French startups. In addition to the growth in venture capital activity, the sector has also seen a surge in the number of specialized funds and incubators that provide early-stage financing for French businesses. These include Angels & Entrepreneurs (A&E), France Digitale, K Fund and Daphni, among others. These organizations have helped to create a more vibrant ecosystem for entrepreneurs by providing access to funding and resources as well as mentorship and networking opportunities. Overall, the venture capital landscape in France is continuing to grow and develop at an impressive rate. With this increased investment comes great potential for startups in France to receive financial backing and support from experienced investors that can help catalyze their success.

What are the most active venture capital firms in France?

The most active venture capital firms in France include Idinvest Partners, Partech Ventures, Serena Capital, and Ventech. These organizations have been major players in the French startup ecosystem for many years, having invested millions of euros into promising companies across multiple industries. These firms are also well-connected to other investors around the world and provide invaluable advice and resources to their portfolio companies. Other notable French venture capital firms include Alven Capital, Xange Private Equity and AXA Venture Partners. In addition, the newly launched French Tech Seed Fund has already established itself as a major player in the early stage funding space since its launch in late 2020. Finally, there are dozens of smaller venture capital firms that specialize in specific sectors or regions. Examples include Airlight Ventures, which focuses on drones and other aerial technologies, and Kima Ventures, which specializes in seed-stage investments in the French tech landscape. Overall, France has become a major hub of venture capital activity over the past decade, with numerous firms investing substantial sums into promising startups each year. With this increased investment comes immense potential for entrepreneurs to find success by leveraging the resources that these organizations provide. Therefore, it is no surprise that venture capitalists continue to flock to France as more businesses emerge and seek funding.

What are the current hottest sectors for venture investment in France?

The hottest sectors for venture investment in France are currently digital health, fintech, enterprise software and artificial intelligence (AI). These sectors have seen a massive influx of capital over the past several years, as investors recognize the potential of these technologies to revolutionize industries. Digital health has been particularly attractive to investors due to its ability to improve patient outcomes while simultaneously reducing healthcare costs. Numerous startups in this space have raised large amounts of money from leading venture capital firms such as Idinvest Partners, Partech Ventures and Serena Capital. Fintech companies have also received significant attention from investors recently due to their potential for disruption in the financial services industry. Companies such as Lydia Solutions, Curve and Leetchi Group have all raised large amounts of venture capital to fuel their expansion. Enterprise software and AI are both highly sought after by venture capitalists as well. Companies like Octo Technology and Deezer have been able to raise substantial rounds of financing from investors looking for the next big thing in technology. The French venture capital landscape is very active and diverse, with numerous sectors receiving investment from leading firms each year. With this increased activity comes great potential for startups to find success by leveraging the resources that these organizations provide. Therefore, it is no surprise that venture capitalists continue to flock to France as more businesses emerge and seek funding.

How has the venture capital landscape changed in France in recent years?

In recent years, the venture capital landscape in France has undergone a major transformation. The amount of venture capital funding raised by startups in France tripled between 2013 and 2018, reaching €2.8 billion in 2018 alone. Notably, much of this investment came from international investors such as SoftBank and Sequoia Capital who have seen great success investing abroad. The increased activity is also reflected in the number of venture capitalists now operating in France, with numerous new firms launching over the past five years. For example, Idinvest Partners was founded in 2011 and is now one of the leading VCs in Europe; Partech Ventures launched its first fund in 2014 and has invested over €1 billion since then; and Xange Private Equity launched its first fund in 2016 and has since raised two more funds totaling €300 million. The increased activity has also led to the emergence of new funding sources in France, such as public-private partnerships, corporate investors and impact funds. This has allowed startups to access a wider range of capital than ever before, enabling them to scale more quickly and pursue more ambitious projects. The venture capital landscape in France has gone through tremendous changes over the past few years, with investment reaching record levels and numerous new firms entering the market. This increased activity is set to continue as international investors look to leverage the growing tech ecosystem in France. As a result, it looks like the French venture capital landscape is only going to get even hotter in the years to come.

The Top Investors & Venture Capital Firms in Paris for 2025

Paris is the undisputed center of France’s tech and startup ecosystem, housing a significant share of the country’s most promising companies.

The Station F in Paris was ranked by Financial Times as 2nd place in Europe among startup hubs in 2025. Paris remains a dynamic environment for entrepreneurs, bolstered by world-class research institutions, a vibrant cultural scene, and strong government support for innovation.

With more than 100 investors and venture capital firms in the city today, we've compiled a list of the top tier investors in Paris for 2025.

Venture Capital in Paris: Investment Trends and Growth Sectors

Paris has one of the most well-funded venture capital ecosystems in Europe, supported by both private and public investment initiatives. In 2024, while funding levels dipped slightly from the record highs of 2021 and 2022, the city still produced new unicorns and remained one of Europe’s top destinations for startup investment. The French government plays a significant role in the VC landscape, with Bpifrance, the country’s public investment bank, acting as an anchor investor for many local VC firms. This state-backed investment structure helped stabilize capital flow in Paris despite a broader slowdown in global venture funding.

The city continues to attract large funding rounds, particularly in AI, fintech, and deep tech. The standout investment of 2024 was Mistral AI’s €210 million Series A round, one of the largest early-stage AI investments in Europe.

Other high-profile venture capital deals in Paris have come from fintech leaders such as Qonto and Alan, as well as e-commerce and consumer-focused startups. Corporate investors remain highly active, with LVMH backing luxury tech startups, and major banks funding fintech ventures. Paris is also seeing increased involvement from U.S. and Asian venture funds, which have expanded their European investments in response to the city’s strong pipeline of high-growth startups.

Paris’ Startup Ecosystem: The Heart of French Innovation

Paris is the undisputed center of France’s tech and startup ecosystem, housing a significant share of the country’s most promising companies. In 2024, the city maintained its status as one of Europe’s top three tech hubs, consistently ranking alongside London and Berlin for venture capital activity. Paris remains a dynamic environment for entrepreneurs, bolstered by world-class research institutions, a vibrant cultural scene, and strong government support for innovation.

The key sectors driving Paris’ startup growth include AI and deep tech, with global tech giants such as Facebook AI Research and Google Brain Europe establishing research hubs in the city. Paris-based Mistral AI has emerged as one of Europe’s most promising AI startups, securing a €640 million Series B round in 2024, reinforcing the city’s reputation as a deep tech leader. Fintech is another dominant industry, with major players such as Lydia, Qonto, and Alan leading the way in banking, payments, and insurtech.

Marketplaces and consumer platforms, including BlaBlaCar for ridesharing and Vestiaire Collective for fashion resale, continue to perform well, while life sciences and biotech thrive within the Paris-Saclay innovation cluster

All VC firms & Investors in Paris

AXA Venture Partners

Founded

2015

Investments

Exits

Investment stage

Company profile
See full breakdown