Since January, 16 impact-driven companies have been established by Nantes Saint-Nazaire Développement
In an environment where investment decisions are becoming more cautious, the Nantes Saint-Nazaire region continues to gain momentum. Since January, 16 companies have chosen to set up operations there, representing 159 jobs in the long term. True to its mission, Nantes Saint-Nazaire Développement prioritizes projects with a significant impact: 90% of the companies it supports operate in the region’s strategic sectors, and 80% demonstrate a strong commitment to social, environmental, or regional responsibility.
Among these new businesses are Gobano Robotics, Rutile Bike, Optim Pharma, Circeo, and Yuniboat in the Nantes metropolitan area, as well as Oceano Vox, EnerjTech, Neo2, and LifeNum in Saint-Nazaire. In total, 11 companies have joined Nantes Métropole and 5 have joined Saint-Nazaire Agglomération. They demonstrate the complementary nature of the two regions and the effectiveness of the business attraction strategy led by France’s leading mission-driven agency.
In an increasingly challenging environment, we must take a proactive approach to the economy. The Nantes Saint-Nazaire Développement agency works every day toward a clear, collective vision of a vibrant, creative, and engaged region that creates jobs for all and serves as a testing ground for a diverse economy.
, Mayor of Nantes, President of Nantes Métropole and Nantes Saint-Nazaire Développement
A Selective Detection Strategy
For more than seven years, Nantes Saint-Nazaire Développement has focused its efforts on companies capable of supporting major economic, industrial, and environmental transitions. This strategy is based on an active presence at trade shows, immersive tours of the region, and the organization of community-building events.
The first half of 2026 was notably marked by “Sur le Pont,” an industry-focused event held in Saint-Nazaire that brought together nearly 150 participants to discuss the industrial challenges of the future. The agency also attended major national and international trade shows, including Global Industrie, VivaTech, ChangeNOW, Tech4Health, SantExpo, Seanergy, Navexpo, and Reuse Expo, to identify potential future projects.
Exploratory tours organized for businesses have also confirmed the growing interest in the region. About 60 participants explored the main industrial sites, the iconic hubs of innovation, and the economic players that today make Nantes-Saint-Nazaire one of France’s most dynamic industrial regions.
Health and Reuse on the Agenda for the Second Semester
The agency will continue this momentum in the coming months, focusing on its key priorities. Highlights include preparations for Wind for Goods 2027, an international event dedicated to carbon-free maritime transport; promoting the healthcare ecosystem; a regional tour organized in conjunction with the Reuse and Circular Economy Conference; and a new business development initiative in Paris.
Nantes Saint-Nazaire Développement will also strengthen its national and international economic partnerships by hosting foreign delegations and coordinating its Audacieux network—regional ambassadors based in Paris, Hamburg, and Montreal. In addition, a new promotional video has been produced to raise the region’s profile among French and international companies.
The Convention Bureau: A Driving Force Behind Transformations in the Professional Events Industry
As part of the agency’s services, the Nantes Saint-Nazaire Convention Bureau supported 192 events (seminars, conventions, corporate parties, team-building activities, conferences, etc.) during the first half of 2026. This represents a slight decline compared to last year. This momentum is being bolstered by workshops dedicated to inclusion and the “Changer le Brief” event, scheduled for October 6, with a particular focus on the local impact of professional events. In addition to the ongoing efforts to combat food waste, a new initiative focused on inclusion in the events sector was launched at the beginning of the year to drive a collective transformation of the events industry in the region and beyond.
