SpaceApps / AS26 / Day 7: French Tech Ecosystem
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Lecture

Incorporation & La French Tech

How to legally structure your startup in the European ecosystem.

  • Auto-entrepreneur (Micro-entreprise): Great for freelancing and solo bootstrapping, but limited in revenue and incompatible with most startup visas.
  • SAS / SARL: The formal corporate structure required for raising funds, granting equity, and qualifying for the French Tech Visa for Founders.
  • Inria Startup Studio & Incubators: How these programs provide up to 1 year of salary and co-design support to researchers spinning off tech.
Lecture

The French Tech Visa: Mixed Teams

What if your founding team spans the globe?

  • EU/EEA/Swiss Founders: Do NOT need a visa to start a company in France. They have the right to work and live automatically.
  • Non-EU Founders: The French Tech Visa for Founders provides a 4-year fast-track residence permit for non-EU entrepreneurs building an innovative project.
  • Mixed Teams: You can apply as a collective team! Each non-EU member applies individually for the Visa based on the same shared innovative business plan, while the EU members simply register the company.
  • The Golden Rule: The project must be recognized as "innovative" by a public French organization (often via an incubator).

📝 Daily Reflection

What was your biggest takeaway from this session, and how does it apply to the TERRA project? Write your response below. Your instructor will review this to track your progress.