Orange Set to Drive the Growth of French Startups

Orange is determined to drive the commercial growth of French startups. At the annual VivaTech event in Paris, the operator outlined a three-pronged strategy focused on procurement, distribution, and enterprise integration.

The company stated it will buy directly from French startups where their technology fits its operational and business needs, use its commercial network to connect companies with public and private-sector buyers, and integrate select technology into Orange Business’ enterprise catalogue. The operator said it aims to boost digital sovereignty by tackling long-standing barriers faced by young French companies, including lengthy contracting processes, limited access to large corporate customers, a lack of commercial references, and the complexity of scaling technology at pace.

Separately, Orange Ventures, the group’s investment arm, added that it would boost funding for startups working in AI, cloud, cybersecurity, health, and defence as part of a wider digital trust push. Orange pointed to several companies it has already worked with under the plan, citing successful partnerships with cybersecurity specialist Anozr Way, circular economy player Circular Place, agentic AI developer H Company, and process optimisation firm Kerys. The initiative forms part of the operator’s partnership with French Tech Mission 2030, a government-backed programme that aims to support the country’s startups seeking to move beyond pilots and into commercial deployment.

Orange CEO Christel Heydemann said that France needs startups capable of reaching industrial scale, sustaining their solutions, and rapidly winning their markets, adding that the operator aims to use its purchasing volume, commercial strength, and integration expertise to help them grow. Julie Huguet, director of the French Tech Mission, added that access to customers, trusted relays, and smoother sales cycles were essential for startup growth. She added that the partnership with Orange could generate tangible commercial opportunities for scaleups and help bring out the future European technology leaders.