This week marked an important milestone in the French-Bavarian Accelerator: the second major gathering – this time with the French startups visiting Munich. Organized by BayStartUP, Bpifrance and the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy, the program aims to connect innovative early-stage companies from France with Bavarian SMEs, key ecosystem players, and strategic partners from business, research, and public institutions.
Over two days, participants engaged in high-level knowledge sharing, targeted networking, and hands-on collaboration – all with a shared goal: strengthening innovation across borders.
Day 1: Laying the Foundation for International Growth
The first day focused on the critical foundations necessary for scaling internationally. Under the theme "Compliance & Tax Essentials," our partner, Pape & Co., provided in-depth insights into the legal and fiscal frameworks relevant for entering the German market.
Topics covered included:
- Legal and administrative requirements for expansion
- Accounting and tax obligations in Germany
- International taxation strategies and real-life case studies
- The evolving role of CFOs in international ventures
The workshop equipped participants with practical tools and clarity on how to manage risk, stay compliant, and set up for sustainable growth.
The afternoon was marked by presentations of network partners and their work.
- Invest in Bavaria introduced support mechanisms for market entry and growth in the region
- La French Tech Munich presented opportunities for French founders abroad
- The French-German Economic Club, Conseillers du Commerce Extérieur, and 3C Career Consulting Company shared perspectives on cross-border business development, labour markets, and talent acquisition
The day concluded in a relaxed setting at a traditional Munich Biergarten – the ideal space to reflect, connect, and deepen relationships in a more informal setting.
Day 2: B2B Networking Event
The second day focused on facilitating genuine connections between French startups and key players from the Bavarian innovation ecosystem. A dedicated B2B Networking Event offered space for exchange, partnership building, and mutual inspiration.
After a welcome address by BayStartUP and the Consul General of France in Munich, a curated selection of startups presented their solutions. This was followed by an open networking session, creating space for direct dialogue and concrete partnership ideas.
One of the valuable elements of the event was the participation of representatives from the Bavarian innovation ecosystem, including Cluster Mobility & Logistics, Cluster Bahntechnik, Cluster Leistungselektronik, Cluster Digitalisierung, the Technologie Campus, and the Startup Center Parsberg, as well as Bayern Innovativ GmbH. Their presence provided participants with initial points of contact within regional innovation networks and offered helpful context on current developments and opportunities in the Bavarian industrial landscape. The event clearly demonstrated the value of cross-border cooperation, especially when driven by shared challenges and a complementary innovation landscape.
A Strong Signal for French-Bavarian Collaboration
The French-Bavarian Accelerator proves once again that internationalization is more than just market entry. It's about understanding local conditions, creating the right structures, and bringing together the right people.
The two days in Munich sent a clear message: French-Bavarian cooperation is alive, growing, and full of opportunity – and this is just the beginning.