Strasbourg: An entrepreneurial ecosystem built on collective strength

Strasbourg, which hosted a stage of the Fundtruck competition last December, is home to a dynamic innovation ecosystem. Deeptech is a rapidly growing sector in the region.

Situated at the crossroads of Europe, just a stone’s throw from Germany and Switzerland, Strasbourg benefits from a strategically advantageous geographical position. However, its appeal goes beyond its international profile.

“Innovation has been thriving in the region for a long time,”

says Sandrine André, Head of Innovation and International Affairs at the Eurométropole of Strasbourg.

Health, digital technology, green economy, innovative mobility and space industries, cultural and creative sectors—the city and its surrounding areas have developed strong industry clusters, supported by a prestigious university hub renowned for its cutting-edge research. Strasbourg is also a major financial decision-making centre, backed by banks, investment funds, and business angel networks. “These are groups of former entrepreneurs with a strong local commitment to supporting startups,” explains Sandrine André. This dynamism is reflected in the numbers: fundraising increased by 35% between 2023 and 2024.

Deeptech: A booming sector

At the local level, Deeptech is one of the fastest-growing fields. “We focus on three key areas: artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and infrastructure,” says Arnaud Guittard, Head of Digital Economy at the Eurométropole of Strasbourg. Several local companies embody this vitality, including 2CRSI, a server design and manufacturing company, and Scalingo, a data hosting platform. In AI, rising stars such as Jumbo Mana and Imki are also making a name for themselves in the tech landscape.

Comprehensive support for entrepreneurs

To support startups, the Eurométropole plays a facilitating role, aiming to create an environment that fosters their emergence and growth. It backs innovation support structures such as the SEMIA incubator, which specialises in Deeptech projects, Grand Est Développement, the regional agency dedicated to business and territorial transformation, and French Tech Est.

“This also includes tailored business accommodation for startups, such as the Nextmed campus dedicated to medical technologies, as well as startup support schemes like Xplore—a six-month programme designed to help innovative foreign companies establish themselves in France or Europe,” explains Sandrine André. This momentum aligns with a broader vision. “We are a European capital developing an innovation model where collaboration goes hand in hand with excellence and sustainability,” adds Caroline Zorn, Vice-President of the Eurométropole of Strasbourg.

Paddock Academy: A collaborative hub at the heart of local innovation

About thirty kilometres from Strasbourg, another key player in this ecosystem is the Paddock Academy. In just three years, this collaborative space in Haguenau has become a major hub for exchanges between entrepreneurs, institutional representatives, policymakers, and local economic stakeholders. “The idea is to bring together worlds that usually advance in parallel without interacting,” explains Claire Lehmann, an active member.

Founded by Claude Casterot, CEO of Castérot Assurances, the space is driven by around twenty volunteers and funded through sponsorship. Four events are organised each month, often in partnership with Bpifrance or local incubators. The startup community is diverse.

“We support both beginner and experienced entrepreneurs. Our network includes experts in cybersecurity, gaming, industry, biotech, and healthtech,”

Lehmann adds.

In early December, the Fundtruck, a travelling competition scouting the tech champions of tomorrow across France and Belgium, made a stop in the Grand Est region, including Strasbourg. This event—organised by Paddock Academy and the Eurométropole—highlighted the region’s collective dynamism and showcased its strengths.