Established in 2019, the French Tech Next40/120 initiative annually identifies and supports the 120 most promising French startups. Participants receive a year of tailored guidance from the Mission French Tech. This highly sought-after distinction is renowned for unlocking significant opportunities both domestically and internationally. Nevertheless, the selection process for the 2026 cohort is poised to introduce substantially stricter criteria, signaling a notable shift in the state’s expectations for inclusion in the program.
French Tech Next40/120 Program to Significantly Stiffen Selection Criteria in 2026
By Rupert Blackwood
Investigative journalist based in Sheffield, focusing on technology's impact on society. Rupert specializes in cybercrime's effect on communities, from online fraud targeting elderly residents to cryptocurrency scams. His reporting examines social media manipulation, digital surveillance, and how criminal networks operate in cyberspace. With expertise in computer systems, he connects technical complexity with real-world consequences for ordinary people