Following a successful visit to Berlin in May, a second group of startups from the Ready2Scale Acceleration Programme continued their European market expansion journey in Paris, one of Europe’s most dynamic hubs for deep tech, digital health, and venture investment. From 9–12 June 2025, the four-day program offered participants first-hand access to the French entrepreneurial ecosystem, with a special focus on market entry, fundraising strategies, and networking with influential investors and partners.
Day 1: Entering the French Market & Mastering Deep Tech Fundraising
The first day was hosted at the Embassy of Estonia in Paris, where the trip began with a networking breakfast and a session on market entry strategies in France, led by Steve Cesse. This was followed by an in-depth look at the deep tech investment scene, presented by Hugo Hubert of Omnes Capital. Participants gained valuable insight into the structure and expectations of French deep tech VCs—exploring the specific due diligence processes, fundraising timelines, and common challenges startups should anticipate. The day continued with a business etiquette and investment landscape workshop, delivered by Anne Lebreton-Wolf. The session equipped startups with actionable knowledge on French investor expectations, cultural nuances, and best practices for successful fundraising.
Day 2: Sector-Specific Trends and Strategic Growth
On 10 June, the delegation moved to the Drouot area to explore sector-specific investment trends in medtech and cybersecurity, presented by Bernard Kirsch. The session highlighted France’s growing reputation as a hub for regulated innovation and data-intensive sectors. This was followed by a strategic session with Choose Paris Region, where Sevinc Ar Chimot shared how foreign startups can scale their businesses and establish a presence in the Paris region with support from local institutions. After lunch, the group attended a dynamic presentation on the French entrepreneurial ecosystem by Jana Drzkova, followed by participation in PariSanté Campus Live—a landmark event bringing together France’s digital health ecosystem. With dozens of startups, corporates, researchers, and public actors in attendance, participants were able to explore synergies, discover market trends, and network directly with stakeholders shaping the future of healthtech in France.
Days 3 & 4: VivaTech and Station F
On 11–12 June, the delegation attended VivaTech, Europe’s largest startup and tech event. The focus areas—healthtech, AI, and energy transition—were directly aligned with the strengths of the visiting companies, who used the opportunity to explore partnerships, validate their value propositions, and connect with global players. In parallel, participants had an exclusive opportunity to join no-filter Q&A sessions at Station F, the world’s largest startup campus.
On June 11, John Chambers (former Cisco CEO) shared candid insights on scaling, leadership, and resilience in tech. The following day, GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke offered his perspective on AI, open-source innovation, and the evolving role of developers in a fast-changing tech landscape.
This Paris business mission provided an intensive and targeted introduction to the French tech ecosystem, combining strategic knowledge with real-life connections. From top-tier VC introductions to ecosystem immersion at VivaTech and PariSanté Campus, the visit opened up multiple entry points for companies exploring international expansion.
