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February 8, 2021

France’s top startups, according to La French Tech

The FT120 is a list of France’s 120 startups to watch, according to La French Tech. Here are the 2021 rankings.


French Tech Central at startup campus Station F in Paris.

This article is part of Sifted’s broader deep-dive into the French tech ecosystem. For more, read our report on the French tech revolution.

Sifted has its own selection of French startups to watch. But each year government agency La French Tech also picks its own based on criteria including sales growth and money raised.

New entrants this year include space-tech nanosatellite maker Kineis, Europe’s Snapchat for teens called Yubo, car-rental platform Virtuo, insect farming startup Innovafeed, and Flying Whales, whose cargo blimps are built for moving timber out of forests. Familiar names include success stories like Alan, Meero and fintech Lydia.

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Beyond the visibility, companies on the list gain enhanced access to government ministries, access to official French delegations overseas and help in connecting with the public sector. Entrepreneurs also receive support from a group of more than 50 dedicated correspondents from government agencies, ministries and public services, across France.

The list includes the Next40 ranking of France's top startups, as well as 80 more names, making up the complete FT120.

Here’s the full list of 2021 winners — and Sifted's visual guide to this year's cohort.

Sifted's visual guide to the FT120 2021 cohort
Sifted's visual guide to the FT120 2021 cohort.

NEXT40

  • AB TASTY — An experience optimisation platform, used by marketing, product and tech teams, allowing them to turn website or app visitors into customers, subscribers or leads, while delivering outstanding user experiences and fast ROI. AB Tasty’s customer list includes Ashley Furniture, Kiehl’s, Sephora, USA Today, YSL Beauty, as well as more than 900 global enterprises. Created in 2009. Was part of the FT120 last year; now Next40.
  • AKENEO — Makes Product Experience Management (PXM) solutions that help merchants and brands unlock their growth by delivering consistent and enriching customer experience across all sales channels, including ecommerce, mobile, print and retail points of sale. Created in 2013. Was part of the FT120 last year; now Next40.
  • ALAN — Digital health partner that promises simple, fair and transparent services for all. Founded by Jean-Charles Samuelian-Werve and Charles Gorintin in 2016. Was already Next40 last year. Read our latest Sifted story about Alan.
Photo of team at European startup Alan
Photo of a team at startup Alan.
  • BELIEVE — A digital services provider for independent music artists and labels worldwide. Created in 2005. Was already Next40 last year.
  • BIOSERENITY — A medical device company which creates AI-enhanced, connected medical solutions to diagnose patients with chronic diseases — including cardiology, neurology and sleep disorders. Created in 2013. Was part of the Next40 in 2020.
  • BRUT — A social-first video publisher that drives conversations for brands, artists and partners from a different perspective — through a meaningful, value-driven lens that focuses on the topics that matter. Created in 2017. Was part of the FT120 last year; now Next40.
  • CITYSCOOT — E-moped sharing service. Created in 2014. Was part of the Next40 in 2020.
  • MANO MANO — European marketplace specialised in home improvement. Created in 2012. Was part of the Next40 in 2020.
  • BLABLACAR — Connects drivers with empty seats and people travelling the same way. With over 90m trusted members in 22 countries, BlaBlaCar is the largest long-distance carpooling community in the world. Now offering coach travel and short-distance carpooling, BlaBlaCar has the ambition to become the go-to-place for shared mobility. Created in 2007. Was part of the Next40 in 2020. Read our latest Sifted story about Blablacar.
  • CONTENTSQUARE — Experience analytics platform that tracks and visualises billions of digital behaviours, delivering intelligent recommendations that everyone can use to grow revenue, increase loyalty and fuel innovation. It helps more than 700 brands in 25 countries deliver better digital experiences for their customers. Created in 2012. Was part of the Next40 in 2020.
  • CYBELANGEL — Specialised in cybersecurity. Detects data leaks on behalf of companies. Was part of the FT120 last year; now Next40. Read our latest Sifted story about CybelAngel.
  • DEEZER — Connects 16m monthly active users around the world to 56m tracks. Available in over 180 countries worldwide, Deezer gives instant access to one of the largest and most diverse global music streaming catalogues on any device. Deezer is the only music streaming service with Flow, a mix of all your favourites and recommendations in one stream. Created in 2009. Was part of the Next40 in 2020.
  • DOCTOLIB — Developing, with healthcare professionals, a suite of software and services to improve their working comfort, save them time, develop their practice and improve the care of their patients. Doctolib helps patients access care more easily and quickly, and manage their health online more simply. Created in 2013. Was part of the Next40 in 2020. Read our latest Sifted story about Doctolib.
A photo of a man wearing a hoodie with the Doctolib logo
  • EVANEOS — An online platform connecting travellers directly with on-site travel agents across the globe. Evaneos is a unique community of travellers and local experts that build enriching holidays with positive impact. Created in 2009. Was part of the Next40 in 2020.
  • EXOTEC — Designs, manufactures and sells intralogistics systems based on robotics and AI. Created in 2005. Was part of the FT120 last year; now Next40.
  • FRICHTI — Frichti's mission is to make eating well possible on a daily basis. In addition to its historic activity of making ready-made meals, in summer 2018 it launched a 'Super Market' which offers around 1k references of raw products (fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, groceries, etc.). Created in 2015. Was part of the Next40 in 2020.
  • HEETCH — A ride-hailing app connecting professional drivers (VTC) and passengers looking for a ride. Created in 2013. Was part of the FT120 last year; now Next40. Read our latest Sifted story about Heetch.
  • IVALUA — Provider of cloud-based spend management solutions. Empowers businesses to effectively manage all categories of spend and all suppliers, increasing profitability, lowering risk and improving employee productivity. Created in 2000. Was part of the Next40 in 2020.
  • JOBTEASER — Career guidance and the recruitment of young talent in Europe with the mission of helping young people in their first professional steps. Created in 2008. Was part of the Next40 in 2020.
  • BACK MARKET — Marketplace focused on bringing thousands of refurbished electronic devices and appliances from certified professional sellers to consumers. The company currently operates in 10 countries: UK, US, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Prague and Austria.  It employs a team of about 400 employees across its 3 offices located in Paris, Bordeaux, and New York. Created in 2014. Was part of the Next40 in 2020. Read our latest Sifted story about Back Market.
Back Market's Founders.
  • KINEIS — A satellite operator and global connectivity provider, dedicated to the internet of things. Kineis operates 8 satellites and will launch a 25-nanosatellite constellation in 2023 to boost capacity and develop new use cases. Kineis allows any object on earth's surface to be connected, thanks to miniaturised (down to a few cm), autonomous, easy-to-use and cost-competitive devices. Created in 2018. New to the listing and featured straight in the Next40. Read our latest Sifted story about Kineis.
  • KLAXOON — A suite of collaborative tools designed for effective, creative and inclusive teamwork, to use at the office or remotely. For daily synchronisation, planning ahead, following-up and monitoring and co-creating... millions worldwide use Klaxoon daily and its ready-to-use meeting templates for efficient teamwork. Created in 2015. Was part of the Next40 in 2020. Read our latest Sifted story about Klaxoon.
  • LUMAPPS — A SaaS provider serving organisations on a global scale. LumApps digital workplace is a category leader that integrates with collaborative suites Office 365 and G Suite. Leading companies use their LumApps Social Collaborative Intranet and LumApps Employee Social Advocacy to transform the way they communicate, collaborate, and engage with their customers, partners, and employees. Created in 2012. Was part of the FT120 last year, now Next40.
  • LYDIA — Proposes a financial 'super app'. Its user can receive, spend and manage all of their money and accounts very simply, within a single app, without even having to leave their bank. Starting as the absolute reference for peer to peer payments, the app now offers a breakthrough current account (combining a French IBAN and a VISA card with disruptive services such as ephemeral cards and instant money alerts), and a marketplace for related services (credit, insurance, gift cards, charitable donations, etc.) Created in 2011. Was part of the FT120 last year, now Next40. Read our latest Sifted story about Lydia.
  • MEERO — Brings top-name brands directly to image creators while expediting all of the tedious work. From its state-of-the-art image editing technology to our teams positioned around the world, Meero wants to help creators do what they do best: create. Created in 2016. Was part of the Next40 in 2020. Read our latest Sifted story about Meero.
  • MIRAKL — Provides the technology, expertise, and partner ecosystem needed to launch an ecommerce marketplace. With the Mirakl Marketplace Platform, both B2B and B2C businesses can offer more, learn more and sell more: increase the number of products available for buyers, grow the lifetime value of customers, while anticipating buyer needs and preferences. Created in 2011. Was part of the Next40 in 2020.
  • OCTOBER — European SME lending platform. October enables SMEs to borrow directly from individual and institutional lenders without going through banks. Lenders invest their savings usefully and profitably to facilitate the funding of the real economy whilst businesses find new, simple and effective sources of finance independently of banks. Created in 2015. Was part of the Next40 in 2020.
  • QONTO — European neobank for SMEs and freelancers founded by Steve Anavi and Alexandre Prot. Qonto is simplifying the daily banking and accounting lives of more than 120k companies thanks to an innovative, fast and efficient service. Qonto is available in four countries (France, Spain, Italy and Germany) and employs more than 250 talents in Paris. Created in 2016. Was FT120 last year; now Next40.
  • OPENCLASSROOMS — Making education accessible to all by delivering vocational training and internationally recognised degrees fully online. With a unique approach based on hands-on projects and individualised mentoring, the platform promotes employability for all, specifically in today’s and tomorrow’s most sought-after digital and skills jobs. 2m people study on OpenClassrooms every month across 140 countries. Created in 2007. Was part of the Next40 in 2020. Read our latest Sifted story about OpenClassrooms.
  • OVHCLOUD — A global player and the European cloud leader operating more than 400k servers in its 31 data centres on four continents. OVHcloud offers latest generation solutions combining performance, price predictability and total sovereignty over their data to support their growth in complete freedom. Created in 1999. Was part of the Next40 in 2020.
  • PAYFIT — Simplifies payroll and HR processes for companies. Fast, intuitive and automated, PayFit allows employers to easily and independently manage payroll and human resources, saving them valuable time and allowing employees to access a dedicated online space. Created in 2015. Was part of the Next40 in 2020.
  • SENDINBLUE — All-in-one digital marketing platform that empowers businesses to build customer relationships through end-to-end digital marketing campaigns, transactional messaging and marketing automation. Created in 2007. Was part of the Next40 in 2020.
  • SHIFT TECHNOLOGY — Founded on the belief that AI has the potential to unlock the future of insurance, solving fraud detection and claims automation challenges while empowering insurers to deliver amazing customer experiences. Created in 2013. Was part of the Next40 in 2020.
  • SUDA FRANCE — SaaS solutions (verified reviews, Teester, Mediatech-cx) and AI and blockchain R&D program. It prescriptively enables to activate data collected with customers feedbacks and contents for marketing purposes. Created in 2019. New to the listing, featured straight in the Next40.
  • WYND — Publisher of software SaaS omnichannel platform for retail and distribution. Goal is to manage the cash-in, logistics, orchestration and preparation of orders in a unified way in the physical and digital worlds: OMS, PIM, payment, picking, booking, stock management, self-checkout, tablet seller. Created in 2013. Was part of the Next40 in 2020.
  • YUBO — A social platform where Gen Z can create communities of friends around the world. The app lets users create live video discussion spaces where both streamers and viewers interact through a live chat. Yubo is a space where young people can hang out, find out about the world and themselves. Created in 2015. New to the listing, featured straight in the Next40. Read our latest Sifted story about Yubo.
A screenshot of the Yubo app.
  • VEEPEE — In 2001, vente-privee revolutionised consumption by creating the concept of event-driven online sales: limited quantities of attractively displayed brand products sold at steep discounts for limited periods of time (three to five days). Bolstered by the European growth strategy launched in 2006, in 2019 vente-privee changed its name to Veepee, a global brand found in 12 European countries. Veepee has gone from being an online general clearance specialist selling major brands to a multi-specialist. With 6k employees and 72m members worldwide, in 2019 Veepee posted €3.8bn in consumer sales, excluding tax. Created in 2001. Was part of the Next40 in 2020.
  • VOODOO — Video games maker. Was part of the Next40 in 2020. Read our latest Sifted story about Voodoo.
  • YNSECT — World leader in natural insect ingredient production. The company transforms insects into premium, high-value ingredients for pets, fish and plants. From its purpose-built state of the art farms, Ynsect offers an organic, long-term solution to accelerating consumption of protein. Ynsect uses pioneering proprietary technology protected by c.30 patents to produce mealworms in carbon negative vertical farms. Created in 2011. Was part of the Next40 in 2020. Read our latest Sifted story about Ynsect.
  • YOUNITED CREDIT — Pan-European credit and payment platform, operating in five countries (France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany), along two market segments: B2C (consumer loans) and B2B (consumer loans, SMB loans and buy now pay later). Created in 2009. Was part of the Next40 in 2020.
A banner of Sifted's The Sift report about French tech

And the rest of the FT120

  • AFYREN
  • IZIWORK — Newcomer in this year’s listing. Read our latest Sifted story about Iziwork.
  • ALEDIA
  • ALL MOL
  • ALMA — Newcomer in this year’s listing.
  • MISTERTEMP GROUP
  • AMARISOFT
  • ANKORSTORE — Newcomer in this year’s listing. Read our latest Sifted story about Ankorstore.
  • BIOLOG-ID
  • SHADOW — Was part of the Next40 in 2020, dropped to FT120. Read our latest Sifted story about Shadow.
  • COOPTALIS
  • CORWAVE — Newcomer in this year’s listing.
  • LUKO — Newcomer in this year’s listing.
  • DEVIALET — Was part of the Next40 in 2020, dropped to FT120. Read our latest Sifted story about Devialet.
  • DNA SCRIPT
  • DREEM
  • DYNACURE
  • ECOVADIS — Read our latest Sifted story about Ecovadis.
  • ENTEROME — Newcomer in this year’s listing.
  • ENYO PHARMA
  • EYEVENSYS — Newcomer in this year’s listing.
  • FINALCAD — Was part of the Next40 in 2020, dropped to FT120.
  • PAPERNEST
  • FLEXFUEL
  • FLYING WHALES — Newcomer in this year’s listing.
  • GEOSAT  Newcomer in this year’s listing.
  • GOJOB  Newcomer in this year’s listing.
  • OKWIND  Newcomer in this year’s listing.
  • HAPPN  Newcomer in this year’s listing.
  • HAPPYTAL
  • HOPPEN — Newcomer in this year’s listing.
  • HR PATH — Was part of the Next40 in 2020, dropped to FT120.
  • IADVIZE — Was part of the Next40 in 2020, dropped to FT120.
  • IGYXOS
  • ILEK
  • IMCHECK THERAPEUTICS
  • INNOVAFEED — Newcomer in this year’s listing. Read our latest Sifted story about Innovafeed.
  • INOTREM
  • EKWATEUR
  • KERANOVA
  • LEDGER — Was part of the Next40 in 2020, dropped to FT120. Read our latest Sifted story about Ledger.
  • LEMONWAY
  • MADBOX — Newcomer in this year’s listing.
  • ORNIKAR
  • MEILLEURTAUX.COM — Newcomer in this year’s listing.
  • MICROPHYT
  • MISTERFLY
  • MOLOTOV — Read our latest Sifted story about Molotov.
  • MWM — Newcomer in this year’s listing.
  • ULTRA PREMIUM DIRECT — Newcomer in this year’s listing.
  • PERFECTSTAY
  • PHARMEDISTORE — Newcomer in this year’s listing.
  • PLATFORM.SH
  • QAPA INTERIM
  • QARE
  • RECOMMERCE — Was part of the Next40 in 2020, dropped to FT120.
  • REUNIWATT
  • ROBOCATH — Newcomer in this year’s listing.
  • AGRICONOMIE.COM