London’s ‘fastest growing’ tech start-ups travel to Paris to explore French market

London mayor Sadiq Khan has today led a delegation of 13 of London’s fastest growing tech start-ups to Paris, in an attempt to build stronger trade links between the two cities.

Part of the mayor’s International Business Programme, the visit to the French capital follows a similar trade mission earlier this year when Khan joined the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, to launch a new city-to-city partnership called the Paris-London Business Welcome Programme.

The programme is focussed on establishing a global network of cities to help entrepreneurs develop their businesses across different markets.

Examples of assistance given via the programme include help with company set-up, access to co-working space, introduction to the local tech ecosystem and networking, and discounted accommodation.

Since the programme was first announced in Paris and London, other major cities including Berlin, Amsterdam, San Diego, and Lisbon have signed up to the initiative.

The full list of start-ups attending the trade mission are:

• Baby2Body
• Benivo
• Billion Dollar Boy
• Brightblue consulting ltd
• GeoUniq
• Obelisk Support
• Photospire
• RangeRoom
• Realeyes
• Smartzer
• Tailify Software ltd
• The Dots
• Thrive Partners

Sadiq Khan, mayor of London, said:

“London and Paris are both leading centres for business built on strong foundations of innovation and entrepreneurship.

“I am therefore delighted to be joined by so many innovative companies from my International Business Programme on this visit as they look to explore opportunities for investment and international expansion.”

Melinda Nicci, founder and CEO of Baby2Body, said:

“After a hugely successful and influential trip to Silicon Valley earlier in the year, we are truly honoured to have been selected again to participate in the Mayor’s International Business Programme trip to Paris.

“The trip not only gives us the unique opportunity to strengthen our partnerships with French companies but also aids our goal of using innovative technology to give women all over the globe healthier pregnancies and babies.”

Janet Coyle, principal adviser on international business at London & Partners, said:

“The companies travelling with us on this trade mission to Paris represent some of the most exciting scale-ups in London.

“We look forward to helping these vibrant and diverse companies cement opportunities and partnerships in Paris.

“London and Paris are two of the greatest cities in the world, and working together through the mayor’s International Business Programme, and the Business Welcome Programme, we can create opportunities for trade and growth for innovators and scale-ups on both sides of the Channel.”