The Diversity Imperative

Tech ecosystems thrive on different perspectives colliding to create innovation. Yet for years, French Tech resembled an exclusive club—graduates of grandes écoles, predominantly male, overwhelmingly white, centralized in wealthy Parisian arrondissements. This homogeneity wasn't just unfair; it was bad for business.

"We were missing enormous talent pools and market insights," admits a prominent VC. "A team of polytechniciens might build brilliant technology, but would they understand the needs of diverse consumers? Would they spot opportunities in underserved communities?"

The business case for diversity is clear: McKinsey studies show diverse teams are 35% more likely to outperform homogeneous ones. In tech, where innovation depends on seeing problems differently, diversity isn't charity—it's competitive advantage.