Increased collaboration between Paris and London on innovation

The program was launched during a business event in Paris bringing together a delegation of London-based high growth technology companies with curated French corporate accounts.

Co-developed by Paris&Co and London&Partners, the official promotional agency for London, the cooperation program named “Paris-London Business Welcome” gives up to 50 Paris and London-based entrepreneurs the opportunity to benefit from a dedicated support program in each city. Paris&Co and London&Partners will provide selected entrepreneurs with an individualized soft-landing in their respective city, offering connections to experts, mentors, corporates and potential investors. Furthermore, selected companies will be granted a free desk in a co-working space during 1 month, but also discounts on set-up and travel expenses as well as on cultural activities.

The program builds on both cities’ business strengths and follows a statement last year from both Mayors that Paris and London work more closely together to make the London-Paris’ ‘win-win partnership’ even stronger. In fact, London receives more inward investment from Paris than any other global city, attracting £2.6bn and generating almost 10,000 jobs over the last ten years. Paris, in comparison, is the largest European destination for foreign direct investment from London.

In this context, the new “Paris-London Business Welcome” will further accelerate the international growth of startups on both markets and trigger cross-border business opportunities.