Cultural Evolution

Perhaps most importantly, cultural attitudes were shifting. Entrepreneurship became fashionable among French elites. Sciences Po and HEC added entrepreneurship programs. Success stories multiplied—Criteo's 2013 NASDAQ IPO, Blablacar's expansion, the emergence of fintech players like Compte-Nickel.

The media narrative changed too. Rather than focusing on failure risks or American dominance, French media began celebrating local success stories. Tech entrepreneurs became minor celebrities. The word "startup" entered common usage, losing its foreign feel.

Young French professionals increasingly saw startups as viable career options. The calculation had changed: yes, job security was lower, but potential rewards—both financial and personal—were higher. The stigma of failure began to fade as serial entrepreneurs wore their past ventures as badges of experience.