Digital economy

Major corporations and innovative startups, a wide range of training programs, and strong support from local authorities… the digital sector in Nantes and Saint-Nazaire combines tech culture, enthusiasm, and creativity to foster a vibrant growth environment—with a special focus on responsible digital innovation.

With 300 startups and €133 million in fundraising in 2024, the digital economy is growing faster in Nantes and Saint-Nazaire than elsewhere. Business and job creation rates (+40%) outpace those of other metropolitan areas. It’s no coincidence that Nantes was among the first cities to earn the French Tech label.

Key figures

Digital success stories

Nantes has produced successful scale-ups that enhance the city’s reputation: Lengow, iAdvize, Akeneo, 10-Vins, Guest Suite—fast-growing “petits beurres” tech companies. The city continues to attract new startups drawn by its collaborative and open spirit, including Doctolib, Lydia, Alan, Compte Nickel, Lucca, and more.

Purpose-driven startups

Nantes supports impact-driven startups that focus on environmental and societal transitions, such as App’elles, Smartway, Wedogood, Shopopop, Beem, Lhyfe, Gens de Confiance, Les Mini Mondes, Jhô… Support programs include Les Ecossolies, Open Lande, and the Imagination Machine startup studio, dedicated to socially and environmentally responsible entrepreneurs.

A people-centered network

Since 2021, the Halles Alstom in the Création District have become the “totem building” of French Tech Nantes. Entrepreneurs gather there at La Cantine Numérique. In the city center, the _icilundi network provides a welcoming space for startups and innovation teams from major companies. Together with ADN Ouest, which brings together 550+ digital leaders, and a range of incubators and accelerators, Nantes offers a supportive, interconnected ecosystem for businesses at every stage of development.

Flagship events and active communities

With over 500 events per year, Nantes fosters creative friction between artists, engineers, businesses, and students. Highlights include:

• Devfest: A developer conference open to students, professionals, and enthusiasts.
• Nantes Digital Week: One of France’s largest general-interest digital events, with 100 events over 10 days for professionals and the public.
• Data and AI Conference: A key event for data professionals, showcasing industry use cases and cutting-edge developments.
• The New Innovation Festival: Replacing Web2day since 2024, this human-scale event focuses on 7 themes around innovation, with a particular emphasis on environmental and societal transitions.

Nantes’ tech communities play a key role in making the city dynamic and innovative, generously sharing knowledge, collaborating on exciting projects, and hosting key events.

In Saint-Nazaire: Tech serving industry

Since the 2019 French Tech St-Nazaire La Baule label, Saint-Nazaire has built a tech-industrial ecosystem, driven by 70 companies and local associations, fostering startup-industry collaboration.

• Le Spi Numérique: A coworking and events hub, home to 40+ coworkers.
• Industrial innovation focuses on deeptech solutions developed by former Airbus and Chantiers de l’Atlantique engineers, fostering spin-off creation.
• Azimut Incubator (since 2023) supports promising digital and tech projects.
• Audacity Awards recognise and reward local innovative entrepreneurs.
• BlueTech is thriving, with assets like Algosolis, GEPEA (global microalgae leaders), SEM-REV (offshore testing), and Blue Lab, the first fablab dedicated to blue economy.
• Saint-Nazaire offers a close-knit professional network, with hubs like Le Spi and the Maison de l’Entreprise (MDE).

Key sub-sectors: