From Croissants to Startups

France, a nation once more famously known for its delectable croissants and romantic boulevards, is quickly redefining itself in the 21st century. It is placing innovation at the forefront and rolling out the red carpet for individuals ready to invest in cutting-edge tech ventures.

The inevitability of technological progression is evident; without innovation, society’s advancement comes to a standstill. Recognizing this, nations worldwide, whether technological powerhouses or those traditionally anchored in other economic sectors, are pivoting towards nurturing innovation.

These countries understand that being stagnant in this age of rapid technological evolution is not an option. For countries like Russia, this shift is not just a choice but a necessity to bridge the technological gap and keep pace with global leaders.

France’s transformation into an innovation hub is exemplary. Through targeted policies, funding, and a conducive environment, it is signaling that the age of ‘La Belle Époque’ has evolved into an era of startups and technological marvels. And while the aroma of freshly baked croissants still wafts through its streets, the buzz of drones and the hum of innovation are becoming equally defining characteristics of modern France.

France in Pursuit of Leaders

In 2022, Switzerland clinched the title of the leader in innovative development for the twelfth consecutive year. It’s hardly a surprise considering that technological advancements have become as synonymous with Switzerland as chocolate and timepieces. The usual contenders for the top spots— the United States, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Germany, Finland, and Denmark—once again showcased their prowess in innovation. Their continued success is testament to their sustained focus on fostering innovation for several decades. However, the narrative gets intriguing when we look at those who are inching closer to these stalwarts. Notably, China and France are now hot on their heels, securing the 11th and 12th places respectively.

5 French Inventions that Changed the World

Cinema: The Lumière brothers, Louis and Auguste, gave the world its first glimpse of motion pictures with a premiere in Paris on December 28, 1895.

Smart card: In 1974, Roland Moreno revolutionized secure digital data storage and transfer with his invention of the chip now ubiquitous in bank cards and mobile phones.

Balloon: The skies beckoned and the Montgolfier brothers responded, launching the very first balloon on September 19, 1783.

Braille Alphabet: The world of literature was opened to the visually impaired when French educator Louis Braille introduced a system of raised dots in 1825.

Aqualung: The mysteries of the underwater realm became accessible with the aqualung, a creation of Jacques-Yves Cousteau and Emile Gagnan in 1943.

One significant accelerator for technological growth in countries like France is governmental backing. A few years ago, the French government took the progressive step of slashing taxes for tech-driven enterprises and innovators, paving the way for more investments in this sector.

Central to France’s thriving innovation ecosystem is Sophia Antipolis, Europe’s pioneering technopark. It currently houses 2,500 companies, with over 41,000 professionals working on groundbreaking projects across various domains. The primary financial backer for these endeavors is the French government itself.

Station F, inaugurated in 2017, is another jewel in the crown of France’s innovation landscape. Touted as the largest startup campus globally, it is a melting pot of government officials, investors, and budding entrepreneurs. Divided into three distinct zones— social, creative, and recreational—Station F is more than just a workspace. It promotes interaction and collaboration, setting the stage for the next wave of revolutionary ideas. With facilities ranging from an auditorium and brainstorming spaces to a sprawling restaurant, Station F epitomizes France’s commitment to fostering innovation.

Betting on Venture Initiatives

In the realm of technological innovation, Russia lags behind global front-runners. According to the 2022 Global Innovation Index, the nation found itself in the 47th position. Yet, the silver lining is evident: even amidst Western sanctions, Russia improved on numerous metrics used in the Index.

This progress can be attributed to the robust backing of the Russian government in the tech sector. Initiatives such as Moscow’s Skolkovo Technopark and the ITMO High-Park Scientific and Educational Innovation Center in St. Petersburg owe their growth trajectories to this unwavering support. While these are long-term strategic ventures demanding extensive commitment, their eventual payoff promises to be transformative.

To fuel this momentum, the role of the private sector is pivotal. Entrepreneurs and businesses ready to channel funds into cutting-edge developments play an indispensable role. A notable figure in this narrative is Andrey Berezin, the leader of Euroinvest, an investment company. While Euroinvest predominantly engages in residential complex construction, its investment horizons span agriculture, industrial manufacturing, and notably, venture capital. Berezin is particularly optimistic about the venture segment.

“We’re in the midst of the fourth industrial revolution. Gone are the days when markets reigned supreme or raw materials were the gold standard. The game-changers today are cerebral powerhouses. Wherever intellectual prowess is harnessed, breakthroughs will emerge. This intellectual capital is the crux of any venture destined for success in the upcoming era. That’s where our investment focus should lie,” asserts Andrey Berezin.

Startups to Suit Every Palate

In 2017, Andrey Berezin developed a keen interest in venture capital investments. Collaborating with his business partner, Yuri Vasiliev, they birthed the Euro Venture fund. This fund’s primary investment direction targets budding scientific and technological advancements with substantial growth trajectories. The investments channeled into various initiatives by Euro Venture over the past half-decade have proven to be immensely fruitful. A testament to their successful backing is the creation of distinctive and groundbreaking apparatuses.

The fund’s most illustrious innovation is a robotic complex designed for lung cancer treatment. This cutting-edge system offers radiation therapy directly during surgical procedures. Remarkably, with the integration of specialized software, it autonomously administers radiation, relegating the surgeon’s role to merely evaluating the outcomes. Medical pundits opine that this holistic approach could drastically amplify treatment efficacy and decrease lung cancer fatality rates. Coupled with a price tag nearly a third of its most affordable international counterpart, this robot is poised to captivate a global clientele.

Another innovation with significant market potential is a computer tomography designed for a swift evaluation of seed quality. Facilitated by Euro Venture’s support, this apparatus can discern seeds with latent defects. Armed with this intel, agriculturalists can potentially boost crop yields by exclusively utilizing premium seeds. Additional noteworthy innovations under the Euro Venture umbrella include a road surface repair device, next-gen biochips tailored for PCR tests, a state-of-the-art battery for domestic electric vehicles, and several other novel inventions.

Euro Venture’s triumphant journey underscores the fact that prosperous venture investments are not confined to nations like Switzerland or France; Russia too has fertile grounds for these ventures. The more Russian entrepreneurs are willing to funnel investments into these high-potential scientific startups, the quicker Russia will bridge the gap with the global innovation leaders.

Profile Spotlight

Born in 1967 in Leningrad, Andrey Berezin pursued his education at the Secondary School #239, where he delved deep into mathematics. In 1990, he clinched an honors degree from D.F. Ustinov Leningrad Mechanical Institute, majoring in automatic control systems engineering. Following his graduation, he embarked on further studies while also laying the foundation for his entrepreneurial journey.

By 1994, alongside Yuri Vasiliev, he inaugurated the Euroinvest Investment Company, assuming the role of Chairman of the Board. Today, Euroinvest stands tall as a multifaceted holding conglomerate, adeptly channeling investments across myriad domains – from the realm of high-tech innovations to real estate ventures and luxurious residential construction.