As the startup capital of the Midwest United States, Chicago joins a global network of 100+ cities and countries around the world recognized as leaders in innovation and technology

La French Tech, France’s national tech, and startup initiative, has selected Chicago as part of their global network; recognizing the Windy City as a powerhouse for technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

“This is part of Chicago’s long history of being a friend and partner to France and our sister city of Paris,” said Michael Fassnacht, Interim President & CEO of World Business Chicago and the first-ever Chief Marketing Officer for the City of Chicago. “Chicago joining the global La French Tech network will only accelerate our thriving innovation ecosystems, drive growth and opportunity for our innovative ventures and residents.”

The announcement amplifies recent momentum led by Chicago’s tech community. Chicago startups raised more than $2 billion in VC funding in the Q1 2021 alone, on pace to match the nearly $2 billion fundraised in 2020 alone. Recent rounds include ActiveCampaign ($240 M), Cameo ($100 M), Clearcover ($200 M), FourKites ($100 M), M1 Finance ($75 million), and others.

“This is an exciting opportunity for the global French tech ecosystem to build stronger relationships with Chicago as a Midwest tech powerhouse,” said The Honorable Guillaume Lacroix, Consul General of France in Chicago. “La French Tech represents France’s thriving startup scene and I’m proud to see Chicago part of this unique movement to help French entrepreneurs scale in the Midwest”

The effort to join the La French Tech Community was led by the French American Chamber of Commerce Chicago (FACC-Chicago) with a diverse coalition of private, public, and nonprofit partners who supported the bid. 

“For 40 years, we’ve been the premier nexus for the local French-American business community,” said Andrea Jett, Executive Director of the French American Chamber of Commerce Chicago. “We support local economic development by promoting Chicago as a destination for French businesses and facilitate cross-cultural communication, collaboration and partnerships.”

As a member of the La French Tech Community – the French American Chamber, World Business Chicago, and its partners will drive partnership opportunities between the Chicago and French tech communities. Paris and Chicago have been Sister Cities since 1996, and are celebrating their 25th anniversary this year. 

ABOUT WORLD BUSINESS CHICAGO (WBC):

World Business Chicago is a public-private, non-profit partnership that drives inclusive economic growth and job creation, supports business, and promotes Chicago as a leading global city. WBC’s Board of Directors includes prominent business and civic leaders who actively guide the progression of Chicago’s business climate. Working in partnership with the City of Chicago, WBC strives to ensure that all Chicagoans can prosper and participate in the economic growth of our city. Learn more at worldbusinesschicago.com. 

ABOUT THE FRENCH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CHICAGO (FACC CHICAGO):

Founded in 1978, the French-American Chamber of Commerce Chicago (FACC-Chicago) is an independent, non-profit, member-driven organization whose mission is to foster a thriving economic relationship between the United States and France and to welcome and support French businesses and entrepreneurs in the Chicago region. For 40 years, FACC Chicago has been the main professional forum for the local French-American business community and supports local economic development by promoting the Chicago area as a destination for French businesses; by facilitating cross-cultural communication, collaboration and partnerships. FACC-Chicago is one of 16 U.S. chapters of the French-American Chambers of Commerce, which represent more than 5,000 companies nationwide in all major industries. Learn more at facc-chicago.com.

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