110 French start-ups in Las Vegas

Created in 1967, the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) has become over the years the most important fair dedicated to tech innovation in electronics open to the general public. The event is organised by the Consumer Technology Association, and is now held in early January in Las Vegas. It self describes as “the world scene of innovation”. According to the official website, this is where “brands make business, meet new partners and where the most brilliant minds of industry go on stage to unveil their latest products and most daring progress”. In a word, the CES is “the place where the trends that will shape the future are born”.

The perfect opportunity to shine on an international stage

With 130,000 visitors, 3,500 exhibitor companies and 160 countries represented, the CES is “a key event of the global tech ecosystem”, says Business France. The operator also stresses that the event is “much more than just a tech exhibition”, it’s a “springboard to the world that gives companies the opportunity to unveil their most innovative products before an international audience and medias from all over the world”.

For the French companies, says Business France, the CES is “a not-to-be-missed opportunity to shine on the international scene and present their innovation to a general audience”. This year, more than 110 start-ups from 12 regions received support from Business France, and the fair was a first for 80% of them.  With its support to companies, Business France contributes to “expand the visibility of the French offer to decisionmakers and investors present in Las Vegas”. And for the first time, the Pavilion France was organised by sector and not by region, for better identification of companies. A new approach designed to “improve the visibility of start-ups to decisionmakers, investors and visitors”.

Advanced sectors

The French delegation included start-ups covering several advanced sectors, and France excels in a few key ones present at the fair, such as:

• HealthTech (health and well-being), which stands for 25% of start-ups present on the Pavillon France stand and stands out with its buoyancy. With over 2,600 companies, the French Health Tech “innovates in biotechnologies, medical devices and digital health”, the operator explains. The US, main partner of the sector, “provide a key market for these start-ups, that raised about 2 billion euros in 2023”;
• GreenTech, which includes companies offering an innovative solution (a product, a service or a process) that improves the environmental impact. To achieve this goal, French GreenTechs are a key stake to face the challenge of energy and environment transition, and particularly decarbonation;
• SportTech, a contraction of “sports” “technology”, may be defined as the use of a wide range of techs (tools, applications) in the sport sector.  According to Business France, with 160 companies working in this environment, “France seems to be on the threshold of becoming a champion of the sector”;

More sectors were represented, such as Mobility (accessibility, travels, tourism), ConsumerTech (technology adapted to the needs of the general audience), Entertainment (hobbies and leisure activities, such as electronic games, RetailTech (retail sales technologies), Industry 4.0 (new ways to organise means of production), and tech in relation with Smart Home (home automation) and Smart Cities (new concept of urban development). More French companies specialised in technologies in relation with electric vehicles, automatic driving, connected mobility, user experience and cybersecurity, also attended the Las Vegas event.

Tailor-made support

Before its participation to the Consumer Electronic Show and to better prepare French start-ups for success, Business France had implemented a preparation programme for exhibitors. The system included “coaching sessions on fundraisings, the art of pitching, understanding the specificities of the American market, the post-CES industrialisation” and workshops dedicated to relations with the medias, public relations and tips on transports and logistics onsite.

During the fair, Business France facilitated networking with international players. To prepare for the event, several dozen conferences and keynotes were planned, as well as “group meetings with leading decisionmakers” such as BMW Group, Mitsubishi Electric, Sony Innovation Fund or General Motors. 

Explore more

- Press release from Business France

- CES official website