How the French Tech Mission Wants to Assist New Businesses in Getting More Public Contracts

The corporate environment in nations such as China and the United States is deeply embedded with economic and technological patriotism. The French Tech Mission launched the free online training course Je choisis la French Tech Académie to help startups in France adopt a similar mentality when navigating public procurement procedures.

This project is being started in partnership with the well-known e-learning platform OpenClassrooms. The initiative has also benefited from the knowledge of approximately forty public procurement specialists from a variety of government agencies, including as the State Procurement Directorate, the Legal Affairs Directorate, and the Business Mediator.

A 4-Hour Program to Become an Expert in Public Procurement

The Je choisis la French Tech Académie is designed as an intensive four-hour course that equips startups with essential knowledge for securing public contracts. “Without this understanding, responding to public tenders is extremely difficult,” explained Julie Huguet in a recent interview with Maddyness.

By assisting entrepreneurs in comprehending government agencies, their procurement requirements, and the best engagement tactics, the course seeks to demystify the public procurement process. It also addresses contract management, which guarantees enduring, sustainable collaborations with public sector organizations. The French Tech Mission plans to train 1,000 companies in its first year in the hopes of turning this expertise into real contract wins with government organizations.

Just 2.4% of public procurement is made by startups

Even while France’s tech industry is growing quickly, startups only make up 2.4% of government purchases at the moment. This emphasizes how urgently programs like Je choisis la French Tech are needed to alter this relationship. “A ‘French Tech buying reflex’ is beginning to emerge, which is fantastic! However, we must go even farther,” French Tech Mission head Julie Huguet stated.

The goal of the June 2023-launched Je choisis la French Tech program is to quadruple the amount of corporate purchases from startups and governmental procurement by 2027. Notable government contracts have already been awarded to a number of companies, including Alan at Matignon and the National Assembly, Mistral AI at France Travail, and Swile at the Rennes metropolitan region. There is still a lot of ground to cover, though.

A Spark for Economic and Technological Domination

In order to promote economic and technical sovereignty, public procurement is essential. Additionally, it is a major growth lever for companies, especially startups, and a driver of efficiency and innovation in the public sector. “A crucial component of our economic and technological autonomy is public procurement. According to Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs Clara Chappaz, “it is also a major growth driver for all companies, particularly startups.” She cited the recent collaboration between Mistral AI and France Travail as an excellent illustration of the beneficial effects that startups can have on public administration.

Whether this strategy will effectively change startup engagement in public procurement is the current challenge. Je choisis la French Tech Académie has the potential to be a game-changer if given the proper backing, guaranteeing that more French entrepreneurs take advantage of government contracts and spur innovation in the public sector.