Industrial Excellence

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The lure of a highly-advanced economy

Gifted to foster dynamism and attract talents, Nantes is the largest business hub in Western France with world-class centres of excellence.

A large number of European and world-wide competitiveness centress boost the attractiveness of Nantes and represent a strong support in the organisation of international conventions.

Nantes’ modern and vibrant economy is built on the presence of leading world companies such as STX, Vivalis, LU, Airbus, Alstom, Eurofins...

Nantes - European Capital of Innovation 2019

The city of Nantes in north-west France is the European Capital of Innovation 2019, the Commission announced at the European Research and Innovation Days. The title was awarded to Nantes in recognition for its outstanding ability to harness innovation to improve the lives of its citizens and its open and collaborative governance model.

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Filieres excellence EN

  • 1st

    higher education cluster
    in Western France with:

    5,000

    public and private researchers

    60,000

    students (10% foreign students)

    200

    laboratories including 75% of the laboratories at the University of Nantes, in all fields

    11

    prestigious universities

  • 1st

    French naval construction cluster

    1st

    port on the Atlantic coast

    1st

    for industrial growth in France

    1st

    for growth in digital employment in France

    2nd

    French cluster in aeronautics

World-renowned sectors of excellence:

Biotechnologies and healthcare

Agro-foods

Sustainable development

Wood and eco-construction

Composites & metal materials

Digital industry

Sciences of the sea (marine renewable energy)

Aerospace

Nantes certified
« Capitale French Tech »

Driving digital entrepreneurship and French start-ups, the Nantes French Tech focuses on 5 priorities:

  • Deployment of start-ups
  • Talents and diversity in the digital and high-tech areas
  • International development
  • Deep Tech dynamics
  • Positive impact projects (environmental, social and societal)
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A state-of-the art and research-intensive university highly recognised worldwide

In this context, the NExT project (Nantes Excellence Trajectory) aims to further develop research, training and innovation, for the benefit of tomorrow’s Health and Industry. It will give Nantes a wider international outreach. This approach is a unique opportunity to foster interaction, attract researchers and establish closer links with the industry.