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Startup Ecosystem in Toulouse

Startup Ecosystem in Toulouse
Startup Ecosystem in Toulouse
Toulouse has established itself as southern France's aerospace and deeptech innovation leader, combining exceptional research infrastructure, engineering talent depth, and industrial partnerships to build technology companies with global ambitions from regional technical strengths. The city has produced notable ventures like Delair, Donecle, and Syntony GNSS, while demonstrating particular strength in aerospace technology, mobility solutions, IoT applications, and increasingly AI and robotics. The funding landscape features specialized investors like Irdinov focusing on research commercialization, aerospace-focused funds like Aéro Spatial Capital, and increasingly national and international investors drawn by the region's deeptech expertise. What distinguishes Toulouse is its exceptional engineering talent concentration particularly in aerospace, robotics, and systems engineering, strong research-industry collaborations facilitating technology transfer, quality of life attracting and retaining expertise, and industrial customer base providing commercial pathways for B2B innovation. The innovation community thrives through programs like Aerospace Valley supporting the innovation cluster, SPRINT focusing on space technology commercialization, and specialized initiatives targeting key sectors. Distinct clusters have developed around Aerospace Valley for aviation and space technology, IoT Valley in Labège focusing on connected systems, and increasingly B612 innovation center dedicated to mobility solutions. Entrepreneurs benefit from the city's strategic concentration of aerospace expertise and infrastructure, though they navigate sometimes dominant aerospace sector affecting talent availability and investment focus, periodic innovation cycle alignment with major industrial programs, and geographic distance from major financial centers despite growing investor interest.
Toulouse has established itself as southern France's aerospace and deeptech innovation leader, combining exceptional research infrastructure, engineering talent depth, and industrial partnerships to build technology companies with global ambitions from regional technical strengths. The city has produced notable ventures like Delair, Donecle, and Syntony GNSS, while demonstrating particular strength in aerospace technology, mobility solutions, IoT applications, and increasingly AI and robotics. The funding landscape features specialized investors like Irdinov focusing on research commercialization, aerospace-focused funds like Aéro Spatial Capital, and increasingly national and international investors drawn by the region's deeptech expertise. What distinguishes Toulouse is its exceptional engineering talent concentration particularly in aerospace, robotics, and systems engineering, strong research-industry collaborations facilitating technology transfer, quality of life attracting and retaining expertise, and industrial customer base providing commercial pathways for B2B innovation. The innovation community thrives through programs like Aerospace Valley supporting the innovation cluster, SPRINT focusing on space technology commercialization, and specialized initiatives targeting key sectors. Distinct clusters have developed around Aerospace Valley for aviation and space technology, IoT Valley in Labège focusing on connected systems, and increasingly B612 innovation center dedicated to mobility solutions. Entrepreneurs benefit from the city's strategic concentration of aerospace expertise and infrastructure, though they navigate sometimes dominant aerospace sector affecting talent availability and investment focus, periodic innovation cycle alignment with major industrial programs, and geographic distance from major financial centers despite growing investor interest.
Toulouse startups in numbers
Startups in Toulouse on Foundersbase show a range of characteristics across different early development stages. Among the projects in this region, 39% are currently in the concept phase, exploring early validation, while 61% have developed a minimum viable product (MVP) and are open to forming strategic partnerships. Currently, 40.5% of startups have reached the Prototype phase, one of several indicators of how innovative founding projects in Toulouse are evolving. A significant share (62%) report open positions, making this a valuable space for entrepreneurial talent looking to join a team early. In terms of funding, 49% of startups are currently seeking investment, while others pursue different approaches to growth. Startups in Toulouse are active across a wide range of industries, with many focusing on areas such as Software, Payments, and Marine Technology. Alongside sector diversity, projects also address major global challenges. Notable impact innovation topics include Circular Economy, Consumer Protection, Fair Trade & Ethical Business, and Financial Inclusion, adding purpose-driven perspectives to the local startup scene. Whether you’re interested in supporting founders, investing in early-stage ventures, or finding opportunities to get involved, the startup activity in Toulouse offers a great starting point.
Job Offerings
More than (39%) of startups in Toulouse are actively recruiting talent, while (61%) are focused on building with their current team.
Startup Stage
The Toulouse startup ecosystem spans various development stages from early ideas to profitable businesses, with most ventures (40.5%) currently at the Prototype stage.
Funding Need
About (56%) of early-stage startups in Toulouse are seeking external investment to scale their innovations, while (44%) are pursuing a bootstrapped growth approach.
Top innovation sectors
Discover the industries where early-stage startups in Toulouse are developing innovative solutions and seeking collaboration partners.
Impact Focus
Startups from Toulouse on Foundersbase most often focus on Circular Economy, driving innovation in this area.
Discover the startup ecosystem in Toulouse

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