European Tech Hubs: Paris vs Berlin vs London
Europe’s three largest tech ecosystems compete for talent, capital, and startups. Understanding how Paris compares to Berlin and London is essential for investors allocating capital across the continent.
Comparison Matrix
| Metric | Paris | London | Berlin |
|---|---|---|---|
| VC Funding (2024) | $13.2B | $14.6B | $6.8B |
| Unicorns | 25+ | 50+ | 18 |
| R&D Tax Credit | 30% (CIR) | 20–27% | Limited |
| FDI Rank | #1 Europe | #2 Europe | #3 Europe |
| Startup Campus | Station F (34K m²) | Fragmented | Factory Berlin |
| AI Champion | Mistral ($6B) | DeepMind (Google) | Aleph Alpha |
| Cost of Living | High | Very High | Moderate |
Paris’s Structural Advantages
Tax incentives: The 30% CIR is Europe’s most generous. Centralization: France’s centralized government enables coordinated policy (France 2030) impossible in federal Germany. Talent: French grandes écoles (Polytechnique, ENS, CentraleSupélec) produce world-class STEM graduates. Quality of life: Paris attracts talent with healthcare, culture, and the French Tech Visa.