Digital and IT services in Hauts-de-France
Our region is now a hub of choice for CGI, IBM and other world-class digital and ICT companies, but you’ll also find a rich and vibrant ecosystem of start-ups and SMEs. We’re eager to grow the sector and in recent years have invested heavily in specialist incubators and accelerators like EuraTechnologies.
Digital and IT services in Hauts-de-France
Our region is now a hub of choice for CGI, IBM and other world-class digital and ICT companies, but you’ll also find a rich and vibrant ecosystem of start-ups and SMEs. We’re eager to grow the sector and in recent years have invested heavily in specialist incubators and accelerators like EuraTechnologies.
Fast facts: digital services in Hauts-de-France
- 40,500 jobs
- 2,700 companies
- a network of innovative start-ups
- big industry names
EuraTechnologies—spearheading the digital economy
EuraTechnologies is now a powerful ecosystem in its own right with over:
- 300 companies, including 200 start-ups
- 4,000 employees
- 300 projects hosted
- €200 million raised by start-ups in seed capital and Series A funding
- an international network (San Francisco, Dubai, Shanghai, New York and Belo Horizonte)
The ecosystem you need to grow your IT services business
As a French Tech pioneer, EuraTechnologies supports digital projects as they emerge and scale:
- soft landing program for companies
- Incubator to help ideas take shape and develop prototypes in an 80-day program
- business accelerator, ranked in Europe’s Top 3, and rightly so: 82% of start-ups—300 companies including 200 start-ups— are still in operation 5 years on.
- flexible space to suit business needs at different stages of development
Northern France is home to top-ranked schools (including HEI, Université de Lille, EDHEC and SKEMA) and research facilities (CEA Tech, INRIA Tech, Adicode, Silab, CITC and more) with the skills you need.
Close-up: the soft landing program
Got a big idea for an original project or new technology? The EuraTechnologies incubator’s 2-month Short Term Acceleration Program creates a soft landing for companies setting up here. The aim? Field questions and provide guidance and insights for entrepreneurs to test the regional and national market. We’ve got your back. You’ll also benefit from mentoring and opportunities to link up with key industry players.
What’s on offer?
- free rent (renewable once), internet and telephone access
- a program built on:
- workshops
- connections with the right local professionals, partners and potential customers
- dialog and exchanges with other start-ups in the EuraTechnologies ecosystem
- assessments and monitoring
- assistance with next-stage development
Does it work? In just 10 days, foreign digital firms make contacts with the right people in their industry in the French and other European markets.
Connect with your customers—easily
A strategic location at the heart of Europe
Hauts-de-France is your gateway to markets in Europe and beyond, including France, Belgium, the Netherlands and the UK.
A hotbed for retail players
Are your customers in retail? Over 70 key players are headquartered in Hauts-de-France, including Auchan, Decathlon/Oxylane Group, Leroy Merlin and Castorama. Learn from the best: the region is a magnet for mail-order pioneers like La Redoute, 3 Suisses International and Lyreco, as well as global e-commerce leaders, including Amazon, Egencia, Booking.com and Sparkow.
Human resources: the talent you need
Hauts-de-France is top of the class when it comes to training engineers: 10% of all French engineers graduate from schools in the region. But it also has an abundance of training facilities in core digital, sales development and CRM skills, creating a pool of employees for your digital services business.
See our range of specialist training
• Business
• Web development
• Project management
• Information systems
• Database technology
• Computer graphics and animation
• Computer engineering
• Video games and simulation
• Web development
• Computer engineering
• Project management
• Information systems
• Database technology
• Web development
• Information systems
• Database technology
• Computer engineering
• Project management
• Web development
• Database technology
• Information systems
• Computer engineering
• Web development
• Project management
• Computer graphics and animation
• Computer engineering
• Video games and simulation
• App development
• Computer engineering
• Cloud computing and mobility
• Information systems
• Database technology
Competitive operating cost base
Competitive payroll costs
Hauts-de-France is a great place to do business: we’re ranked in the Top 3 most competitive regions in France for payroll costs.
| Job title | Average salary |
|---|---|
| Development Engineer / Programmer Analyst | €41,660 to €50,160 |
| Application Manager | €42,550 to €48,900 |
| Software Developer | €35,045 to €41,450 |
Source: 2017-2018 Salary Guide
Competitive real estate costs
We’re also a Top 3 location in Europe for real estate costs.
Source: EY / NFI 2020
Setting up your digital services business in Hauts-de-France
Whatever your needs, we have what it takes to get you up and running. Interested in setting up in an incubator/accelerator? Or would you prefer a co-working space, a business center, or traditional offices? In Hauts-de-France you’ll find a wide range of properties to choose from.
Incubator/Accelerator
Co-working/Business center
Offices
Contact course