Cisco starts investing in the French Tech ecosystem

Last February, John Chambers, CEO of Cisco, explained:

I spent time in France last week, and it’s clear to me that the French tech scene is at an inflection point. The time to invest in France’s future is now. And with more startups than any other European country at the Consumer Electronics Show this year, and a strong infrastructure in place, France is primed to embrace the latest technology transition: digitization of everything.

Today, Cisco announced its first investments in the French Tech ecosystem:

• Le Defi:

“Le Defi” or “The Cisco Challenge” aims to identify and then promote the next generation of digital entrepreneurs. The winners will receive €35,000.

• The Camp:

The Camp is a digital innovation campus in Aix-en-Provencethat brings together researchers, teachers, businesses and start-ups in a single location to create the city of tomorrow through discussion, reflection and innovation.

• Commitment to the NUMA Sprint accelerator program

Cisco is the network partner for the seventh season of NUMA Sprint. Through this partnership with one of France’s foremost accelerators, Cisco will support 22 chosen start-ups with equipment and expertise to help bring their business ideas to market.

• Partnership with Actility, an Internet of Things specialist

Actility is a French startup that raised $25million last month Cisco is proud to view Actility as a key partner to accelerate the deployment of IoE infrastructure and services.

• Investment in 6WIND

Cisco Investments has made an investment in 6WIND, a Parisian start-up that created a software solutions company for network operators.

Cisco adds that its strategy is to have an active role at all stages of Internet of Everything start-up development.