French Tech Toulouse wants to promote meaning more than growth
The Pink City is still one of the French strongholds of the start-up nation. Born in March 2019 in its new organization, La French Tech Toulouse continues to develop in 2022. The center of young shoots labeled by the State, still interpreted by Sandrine Jullien-Rouquié, also director of Ludilabel, today brings together 300 900 start-ups listed in the metropolis [1]. At the end of the year, it could reach 350. Its governance has evolved this year, its office increasing from eight to twelve members.
In front of the press, the president and her office make a quick inventory of the Toulouse ecosystem. The sectors most invested by new entrepreneurs are culture, education, leisure and food tech [2] (15% of starts). Next comes greentech [3] and business services (10%). The team then reviews the various programs put in place by the structure. The main novelty is Technological transition, which aims to bring former employees of large companies into the world of start-ups. When the program is broadcast, they could become employees, associates or create their own innovative companies, and will be guided by mentors, creators of young shoots. Twenty-five have already signed up.
Young shoots “in search of meaning”
French Tech Toulouse also presented impact technologynew version of the program Tech has heart. “On the question of the social and environmental impact, companies must go further, act on another scale”, summarizes Carole Zisa-Garat, board member and director of Telegrafik. Impact tech will offer several tools on an online platform: “methods to measure its impact”, “help to find funding for its environmental and social projects”, “podcasts around seventeen UN sustainable development goals “.
Some programs also continue to be rolled out, such as French Tech Central, which aims to facilitate relations between innovative companies and administrations (Urssaf, customs, INPI, etc.). In 2021, more than fifty meetings were organized with more than fifteen administrations. We can also cite French Tech Springboard, a national initiative that “promotes diversity and equal opportunity”. More than fifty-five laureates were supported in 2021. The call for applications for the next session is in progress until August 1st.
Finally, a word is said about the TTI (Toulouse Tech Index), which lists fundraisers at the local level. In 2021, a record amount of 351 million euros was recorded in Haute-Garonne. Thus, the main fundraisers are Loft Orbital (125 million euros), Agronutris (100 million euros) and Easymile (55 million euros). However, several members of the French Tech Toulouse office call “not to be intoxicated” by these impressive figures. “Rather than growth and profitability at all costs”, in these times of climate crisis, it is necessary to “prevail the meaning” when embarking on a new entrepreneurial adventure.
Mathias Hardoy
In the photo: In the background, Cédric Giorgi, leader of Kaduceo; Sandrine Jullien-Rouquié, director of Ludilabel and president of French Tech Toulouse, and Carole Zisa-Garat, director of Telegrafik. In the front row: Karim Ben Dhia, director of Adveez, retains his role as secretary, the French Tech red rooster and Marc Leverger, director of BricoPrivé. Credit: French Tech Toulouse.
Remarks
[1] 50% were born before 2018, 50% after according to figures from French Tech Toulouse
[2] Innovative agri-food or catering companies.
[3] New players who use new technologies to protect the environment.