The Iberian Peninsula: a prime destination for French startups

Thanks to the strong relationship between the two countries, collaborations between French startups and the Spanish economic ecosystems are becoming increasingly common. Spain is now the second preferred destination for French scale-ups after the United States. Over 200 companies are part of French Tech Barcelona (including 40% of FT 120). This strong appeal of Spain is explained by the numerous advantages of the Spanish market, such as a better quality/price ratio, cultural and geographical proximity, a tech ecosystem that is increasingly mature & offering business opportunities, and a gateway to Latin America.?

The cities of Barcelona and Madrid are at the forefront of the startup scene, attracting 85% of the country's investments. Madrid has over 1,500 startups and 50 accelerators/incubators, while Barcelona, voted the 4th smartest city in Europe, hosts leading international trade shows such as Mobile World Congress, IoT, and ISE.?

On their part, Spanish companies are aware of the maturity of French startups and are open to the opportunities offered by these startups, which are at the forefront of innovation in many fields. France has established itself as a leader in the startup field, with over one million innovative companies. More than 25 French "unicorns," - startups valued at over one billion dollars - have gained international renown thanks to their innovative solutions and impressive results.?

Many Spanish companies have already started collaborating with French startups, convinced of their potential. For example, Telefónica recently formalized an agreement with Younited Credit to complement Movistar Money's offer. This collaboration resulted in the creation of a fractional payment solution based on consumer credit.??

To help French startups establish themselves in the Spanish market and create strong relationships with Spanish companies, Business France plays a crucial role in providing guidance and development in Spain. Through various acceleration programs such as Impact Iberia, over 120 companies are assisted each year in positioning themselves in this dynamic market. It is essential to understand the specificities of Spain and to be accompanied by professionals, because even if the two countries are geographically close, business is done differently there.??

We are always happy to connect with our readers. You can reach us via LinkedIn or our website. If you would like to meet us in person, we will be attending upcoming tech exhibitions such as FIC (Forum International de la Cybersécurité), Minalogic, or VivaTech. We look forwards to hearing from you.???

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