Challenges Amid Success

Despite dramatic progress, challenges remained. Late-stage funding, while improved, still lagged behind the US and China. French unicorns often sold to foreign acquirers rather than going public. The regulatory environment, though better, still created friction for some business models.

Language remained a subtle barrier. While French Tech became more international, some startups struggled to expand beyond French-speaking markets. The best talent was increasingly bilingual, but cultural translation—adapting products and marketing for global audiences—required more than language skills.

The cost of success created new problems. Paris real estate prices soared, making it expensive for startups and young employees. Competition for talent intensified, with salary inflation particularly acute for experienced engineers and data scientists.