France goes to Silicon Valley: French Tech Tour 2010

Just a quick note for French tech companies interested in developing activites in Silicon Valley or establishing relationships with some of the big US tech stars: La Mission Economique and UbiFrance are now accepting applications for the 2010 French Tech Tour. From June 4-11, 15 leading French companies hand-picked by the following list of leading […]

Invest in a Start-up = Reduce your Taxes

Yes, that’s right my friends; while Silicon Valley was over there spreading rumors that it’s impossible to score VC money in France, the French government got a little creative. Since 2007, French tax payers can lower their wealth tax (ISF) by investing in a company. French taxpayers can now reduce their wealth tax by up to […]

I Love2Recycle: Cellphone Recycling à la Française

It’s all about being green. Inc. Magazine published an article last month on San Diego-based ecoATM, a start-up developing kiosk or ATM-like machines where people can deposit their old cellphones for cash. Sounds like a brilliant idea. I remember seeing a company that wanted to do the exact same thing at a Silicon Valley Launch […]

“Hadopi” is French for “Oops”

Ok, well not exactly. “Hadopi” is actually the name of the French law for creative protection rights on the internet. The name comes from the organization that oversees internet copyright protection, the Haute autorité pour la diffusion des oeuvres et la protection des droits sur Internet (Higher Authority for the Distrubution of Works and the Protection of […]

French Animation: A very pretty picture

If anyone is going to give Pixar a run for their money, it’s French animators. Of course, everyone knows and loves Les Triplettes de Belleville, the French, Belgian and Québecois collaboration feature film that was nominated for 2 Oscars in 2003 . Two shorter, more recent, no-to-be-missed animations are: French Roast, which won SIGGRAPH’s Best in Show award […]

A Letter to Silicon Valley

Dear Silicon Valley, I’m writing you this letter because I too believe that you are a magical land of business opportunity that is different from the rest. But that doesn’t mean you’re perfect. I’m sure that you think the French are always striking, that they only work 12 hours a week and that they’re on […]