Paris isn’t just about cafés and croissants. By 2025, it’s one of the fastest-growing startup ecosystems in Europe, with over 1,200 new tech startups launched last year alone. If you’re looking to meet entrepreneurs, investors, or founders who are actually building something real, you don’t need to hunt for secret addresses. The energy is out in the open-if you know where to look.
Station F: The Global Startup Campus
Station F, located in the 13th arrondissement, is the world’s largest startup campus. It’s not just a building-it’s a living network. Over 1,000 startups operate here, from early-stage founders sleeping on couches to well-funded teams with French and international investors at their tables. The best part? You don’t need an invite. Walk in during business hours, grab a coffee at the on-site café, and strike up a conversation. Many founders are happy to talk about their projects, especially if you ask specific questions like, “What’s your biggest hurdle right now?” or “How did you get your first 100 users?”
Check the daily calendar on Station F’s website. Every weekday, there’s a free event: pitch nights, founder Q&As, or workshops led by investors from Sequoia, Accel, or local funds like Partech. You’ll find people who’ve raised six figures and others who are still testing their idea on a whiteboard. Both are worth talking to.
La Cantine: Where Startups Eat and Connect
If you want to meet entrepreneurs without the formal setup, head to La Cantine in the 10th arrondissement. It’s a lunch spot disguised as a co-working space. The menu changes daily, but the crowd doesn’t: founders, freelancers, and early-stage tech teams come here for the affordable, high-quality food and the open seating. It’s common to see someone pitching their app to a stranger over a bowl of lentil stew.
Go on a Tuesday or Thursday around 1:30 PM. That’s when the “Founder Lunch” unofficial meetup happens. No organizer, no sign-up-just a group of 15-20 people who show up because they know it’s the easiest way to meet someone who’s building something. Bring a business card or just your phone with your LinkedIn QR code ready. Most people here are tired of cold emails. They’d rather talk in person.
Le Pain Quotidien: The Quiet Networking Spot
Not all business deals happen in loud spaces. If you prefer a calm environment to have a real conversation, Le Pain Quotidien in Le Marais is your spot. It’s not a startup hub, but it’s a magnet for freelance designers, solopreneurs, and remote workers from Berlin, Lisbon, and London who’ve chosen Paris for its balance of work and life.
Order the organic quinoa salad and sit by the window. You’ll notice people typing on laptops with notebooks full of sketches or sticky notes. They’re not just working-they’re thinking. Ask them what they’re building. More than half will tell you. Many are in the early stages of apps for mental health, sustainable fashion, or AI tools for small businesses. These are the kinds of connections that lead to real partnerships, not just LinkedIn likes.
CoWorking Paris: The Local’s Favorite
While Station F draws international attention, CoWorking Paris in the 2nd arrondissement is where locals go. It’s smaller, quieter, and less touristy. The membership fee is around €250/month, but you can pay €25 for a day pass. That’s a small price for access to a community of French founders who’ve been around long enough to know what works-and what doesn’t.
They host a “Founder Hour” every Wednesday at 5 PM. It’s not a pitch event. It’s a circle of chairs where people share one win and one struggle from the week. Last month, a woman who built a tool for Parisian bakers to track inventory met a developer who built a similar tool for florists. They’re now collaborating. That’s the kind of connection you won’t find on Eventbrite.
Paris Tech Meetup: The Weekly Gathering
If you want structure, go to Paris Tech Meetup. It’s held every Thursday at 7 PM at the Institut des Sciences et Techniques de la Communication (ISTC) in the 14th arrondissement. It’s free, open to all, and has been running for over 12 years. The crowd? Mostly French-speaking founders, but English is always welcome. The format is simple: three founders get 10 minutes each to present their project. Then, everyone eats pizza and talks.
Don’t just listen. Ask questions. Say something like, “I saw you’re using React Native-have you tried Flutter for the iOS side?” or “How did you handle GDPR compliance when you started?” People notice when you know what you’re talking about. And they remember you.
Les Halles Market: The Unofficial Hub
Yes, the food market. But here’s the twist: every Saturday morning, a group of food-tech founders, sustainable packaging designers, and restaurant consultants meet under the glass dome at Les Halles. It’s not advertised. They just show up with coffee and a tablet. They talk about supply chains, delivery logistics, and how to get funding without giving up equity.
One founder, who started a zero-waste grocery delivery service, met his first investor here. He didn’t have a deck. He had a jar of compostable packaging and a story about his grandmother’s market stall in Lyon. That’s all it took. If you want to meet entrepreneurs who care about impact, not just valuation, this is where you go.
How to Make the Most of These Meetings
Showing up isn’t enough. You need to show up the right way.
- Don’t ask for a job. Everyone’s busy building. Ask what they need help with instead.
- Bring value. If you know a designer, offer an intro. If you’ve used a tool they’re building, give honest feedback.
- Follow up within 48 hours. Send a quick message: “Loved hearing about your app for local artisans. Here’s a link to a similar tool I found-thought you might like it.”
- Be patient. The best connections take months. Don’t expect a deal after one coffee.
Paris entrepreneurs aren’t looking for people who want something from them. They’re looking for people who can help them build something better.
What Not to Do
Here’s what kills a connection before it starts:
- Asking “Can you invest in me?” on the first meeting.
- Spending 20 minutes talking about your idea without asking about theirs.
- Wearing a suit to Station F. No one cares. Jeans and a clean shirt are fine.
- Using LinkedIn as your only tool. Most founders here don’t update it.
Paris moves at its own pace. It’s not Silicon Valley. There’s no rush. But when you find the right person, the trust lasts.
Final Tip: The 10-Minute Rule
When you meet someone at one of these spots, give them 10 minutes. If the conversation flows, keep going. If it doesn’t, say thank you and leave. No one will mind. Most entrepreneurs are used to people who show up with agendas. You’ll stand out if you just listen.
Can I meet entrepreneurs in Paris without speaking French?
Yes. While many founders are French-speaking, the startup scene in Paris is highly international. Station F, Paris Tech Meetup, and most co-working spaces use English as the default language for events and networking. You’ll find plenty of founders from the U.S., UK, India, and beyond who speak fluent English. Just avoid assuming everyone does-politely ask, “Do you mind if we speak in English?”
Are these places free to visit?
Most are. Station F, La Cantine, Le Pain Quotidien, and Les Halles are open to the public. Paris Tech Meetup is free. CoWorking Paris charges for day passes (€25), but you can still walk in and observe without paying. You don’t need to buy anything to start a conversation.
What’s the best day to go to Station F?
Tuesday and Thursday are best. That’s when the most events happen-pitch nights, investor Q&As, and founder panels. But even on a quiet Monday, you’ll find founders working in the common areas. The key is showing up during business hours (9 AM to 6 PM).
Do I need a business card?
Not required, but helpful. Most people now share contact info via LinkedIn QR codes on their phones. If you don’t have one, just say, “I’m [name], I work on [project]. Let me know if you want to connect.” It’s simple, honest, and works better than a card.
Is Paris better than Berlin or Lisbon for meeting entrepreneurs?
It’s different. Paris has more access to French government grants, EU funding programs, and corporate partners like L’Oréal and LVMH that invest in startups. Berlin is cheaper and more chaotic. Lisbon is more relaxed. Paris strikes a balance: strong support systems, good infrastructure, and a culture that values long-term relationships over quick exits. If you want to build something with scale in Europe, Paris gives you the tools-and the people-to do it.
Paris doesn’t reward loudness. It rewards consistency. Go to the same place, at the same time, week after week. Talk to the same people. Ask questions. Listen. In six months, you won’t be a visitor-you’ll be part of the story.
