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Did you know that Atlantic France is home to one of the most dynamic digital ecosystems in France? With a strong network of innovative players and a strong political backing, the region is attracting a growing number of fast-scaling companies in the digital and AI sectors. Discover how Atlantic France is becoming a stronghold for this high-growth industry.
An ecosystem conducive to the development of digital companies
With its vibrant innovation networks and its dynamic ecosystem, Atlantic France is home to an environment of innovative, high-performing players who are helping to raise the profile of the digital sector.
Collaborative networks driving the digital sector forward
- Images et Réseaux (Nantes): this is the benchmark competitiveness cluster for digital innovation in Atlantic France and Brittany, with over 250 members.
- ADN Ouest (Nantes): this network of digital industry professionals in the Greater West represents 640 organisations in Atlantic France and Brittany.
- We Network (Angers): a national cluster supporting France’s electronics industry, with over 200 member companies and organisations involved in the development of their projects in electronics, IoT and the industry of the future.
- La Cantine x La French Tech (Nantes): the umbrella association for French Tech in Nantes, actively shaping the local digital ecosystem and representing nearly 300 members in the region.
Technological research players serving the sector
- IRT Jules Verne (Loire-Atlantique): this shared industrial research centre is dedicated to manufacturing and offers digital expertise in modelling, simulation, robotics, and cobotics.
- Proxinnov (Vendée): a specialised robotics platform that supports companies in the development of their robotics projects. Proxinnov also helps manufacturing companies address the challenges of Industry 4.0 and digital transformation.
- Clarté and Laval Virtual Center (Mayenne): a leading technology resource centre focused on virtual reality, augmented reality, and emerging technologies. The Laval Virtual Center is a unique place where technology meets modernity. It is open to companies and all those involved in innovation.
- Technocampus Electronique & IoT (Maine-et-Loire): this national technical platform accelerates the electronics industry of the future, with a strong focus on the development of intelligent systems.
Strong regional momentum around French Tech
Atlantic France also benefits from a strong French Tech dynamic, which is well spread across each of its five départements:
- A French Tech capital: La French Tech Nantes
- Five communities at departmental level: French Tech Saint-Nazaire La Baule Pornic, Vendée Tech, Angers French Tech, Le Mans Tech, and Laval French Tech
Political will to make Atlantic France a digital powerhouse
This ambition is reflected in the creation of a regional executive specifically dedicated to digital technology.
- Since 2021, Constance Nebbula has served as Vice-President of Atlantic France with a dedicated mandate for digital issues (for many years she has been the only elected official in France to hold this executive position at regional level). This delegation now includes Artificial Intelligence. Constance Nebbula is also the new President of OpenDataFrance.
- To further support this ambition, the Region has recently appointed Aymeric de Maussion as AI Director within its departments, tasked with leading the rollout of Artificial Intelligence in Atlantic France.
This political drive is centered on key challenges such as digital sovereignty, security, transition, technology appropriation and reducing dependency, with Artificial Intelligence positioned at the heart of the region’s strategic priorities.
Artificial Intelligence at the heart of regional growth
Artificial Intelligence has become an essential catalyst for business competitiveness and growth. Whether it’s automating repetitive tasks, speeding up decision-making or personalising products and services, AI is transforming organisations and opening up new prospects for growth.
Atlantic France is working alongside businesses to help them make a successful transition to AI. The region is actively supporting the development of this sector, aiming to position Atlantic France as a region of innovation and high performance.
A growing ecosystem in Atlantic France
While Artificial Intelligence was still an emerging topic just 3 years ago, today it has become a major focus. The AI ecosystem in Atlantic France is rapidly taking shape, supported by a strong industrial base that is increasingly focusing on AI.
Recognised players: the region is home to various key players, including incubators, specialist start-ups, and technology hubs that promote collaboration and development. The ecosystem is diverse, with a wide range of areas of expertise, such as AI applied to industry and services, AI applied to support functions, digital consulting, and more.
Cutting-edge training: the regional training offer is expanding to meet the growing demand for Artificial Intelligence skills. More than 40 Data / AI-related training courses have been identified in the region (Source: Observatoire de la Grande Ecole du Numérique – 2024).
Major events: the West Data Festival (Laval) and the Salon de la DATA (Nantes) are major annual events that bring together all the key players in the digital sector and place Artificial Intelligence at the heart of their programme.
DIVA: a consortium to support businesses in Atlantic France with their digital transition
Initiated in 2020 and officially launched in March 2023, the Diva (Digital Innovation Value Accelerator) regional consortium aims to pool skills to support VSEs, SMEs, ETIs and local authorities in their digital transformation projects, particularly those related to data and AI.
Its mission is to democratise and promote the use of data and AI among businesses in Atlantic France. A support programme will help them to identify and seize the many opportunities offered by AI. Key areas of focus include:
- Implementing AI and digital transformation projects with ethical and environmental impact
- Identifying the technologies and tools best suited to business needs
- Connecting companies with the right service providers and the best funding opportunities
Diva benefits from financial assistance from Europe and the regional government. The scheme aims to raise awareness among 3,000 companies in Atlantic France by 2026, conduct nearly 500 assessments, and support 150 projects.
One example is Nantes-based SME MT Concept, which uses artificial intelligence to improve its work processes. The time saved enables the company to concentrate on higher added-value tasks to better respond to customer needs.
Examples of recent AI / no-code start-ups in Atlantic France
Contournement (Nantes): founded in 2019 in Paris, this company specialises in training on no-code and AI tools. It expanded to Nantes in March 2023, setting up at the La Cantine X La French Tech Nantes coworking space.
Bienfait (Nantes): an expert in no-code and product management, this Paris-based start-up relocated to Nantes in 2024. Its offices are now based at the Le Palace icilundi coworking centre. Bienfait has also benefited from the support of the Impact Program (a start-up acceleration programme dedicated to industrial start-ups and scale-ups).
Hyperstack (Angers): after acquiring the digital agency Yellow-Br1cks, Hyperstack has established a presence in Angers. The company plans to recruit several new employees to help businesses and local authorities with their digital transformation efforts using no-code, data, and AI.
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