Regional Development: Beyond Paris

While Paris dominated headlines, French government policy deliberately fostered regional ecosystems. The Métropole French Tech program certified 13 major hubs and dozens of thematic networks. Each received not subsidies but tools—branding, international promotion, and connection to national programs.

Regional specializations emerged organically but with state support: - Lyon: Digital health and cleantech, leveraging local industry - Toulouse: Aerospace and space tech, building on Airbus heritage - Sophia Antipolis: Telecommunications and IoT - Nantes: Creative industries and civic tech - Bordeaux: Wine tech and agricultural innovation

The government's role was strategic—connecting ecosystems, facilitating knowledge transfer, and ensuring no region was left behind in digital transformation.