Paris Blossoms as a Tech Hub

Recently Apple hosted a workshop in Paris for computer developers at Station F. Station F is the largest startup campus in the world, and is situated in the 13th arrondissement. It acts as an incubator for start-ups and new ideas. 9 to 5 Mac reported of the Apple event: “The workshop is said to last two hours with the topic of app development and a focus on helping developers “improve and promote” their software.” Apple’s existing presence at Station F includes “a small team to help developers create, validate, and manage their iOS apps,” reports Mac Rumors. This workshop is further evidence that Paris has been steadily making gains as a reputable hub for tech and digital growth. Last year, Business Insider proclaimed: “Paris is coming closer to toppling London as Europe’s tech hub.” The article points out how politics plays a vital role in Paris’s position in the tech world. With Macron as president, the French tech industry has been able to thrive in a way it likely would not have done under different leadership. Macron “actively courted the startup community in the run-up to election…” And as Economy Minister, he went to the Consumer Electronics show to promote startups from France. According to Business Insider, “Some people think he could lure French expats back from London, or even attract British startups over to France.” And it’s not just the Brits that are queue-ing up to enter France’s tech sector; Americans are looking here too. Last fall, an American man, Brian Eagle, wrote a piece for Medium titled “Why I’m looking for tech opportunities in France.” Among his reasons were things like Macron’s presence, access to venture funds, the ecosystem (like Station F), and more. It’s funny to think of Paris – a city so old, and so steeped in history – as a tech hub. But then again, Paris is one of the world’s capitals. So it makes perfect sense that it would carve out its place in the tech industry too, and do so with style.