Mistral AI and Alan: The French Tech Stars Captivating Attention

With an ecosystem of 18,000 startups and numerous unicorns, French Tech continues to attract professionals in the sector. A survey conducted by The Product Crew revealed the most sought-after French companies among tech experts, with 4,922 participants.

Mistral AI stands out clearly at the top of the ranking. The startup, which recently held an event at the Carrousel du Louvre, announced partnerships with Airbus and BMW. It aims for a computing capacity of one gigawatt by 2030. With 1,292 votes cast, representing 26.2% of the total, Mistral AI, founded by Arthur Mensch, is the favorite among professionals. The company now employs over a thousand people, just three years after its founding.

In second place, Alan, the innovator in health insurance, garnered 857 votes (17.4%). During its tenth anniversary at the Musée du Quai Branly, the company announced a partnership with Kylian Mbappé, the star forward for the French national team and scorer for Real Madrid, who is also investing in the company. Alan achieved 505 million euros in annual recurring revenue in 2024 and 785 million euros in 2025, aiming for a billion this year. Alan's app has 1.1 million members.

Doctolib completes the podium with 805 votes (16.4%). The company allowed its investors and employees to sell 300 million euros worth of shares and acquired Medicus Health to enter the British market, its fifth European market. Doctolib also launched an AI lab with a budget of 20 million euros.

In the rest of the Top 10, Pennylane ranks 4th, Qonto 5th, Back Market 7th, Finary 8th, BlaBlaCar 9th, and Swile 10th. Decathlon rises to 6th place with 201 votes. Although not a startup, its dynamic innovation, illustrated by the launch of Decathlon Pulse in 2024, appeals to professionals. The group has also partnered with In&motion, the startup that protected skiers at the Milan-Cortina Olympics earlier this year.

Among the promising companies favored by respondents are Alice & Bob (quantum), GreenGot (fintech), and Nabla (health). These startups are expected to seek to strengthen their workforce in the coming years.