The 2025 edition of South by Southwest (SXSW) has officially wrapped up, and once again, it showcased the pivotal role of innovation, creativity, and international collaboration in driving global industries forward. This year, France made a notable impact, with French companies, startups, and institutions taking center stage, sparking new connections and building bridges between the U.S. and France.
A Strong Presence Focused on Innovation
At the heart of the dynamic ecosystem at SXSW, innovation was once again at the forefront. The French-American Chamber of Commerce (FACC) Texas played a key role in supporting both startups and large French corporations, facilitating meaningful connections, new opportunities, and bold visions. Throughout the year, FACC Texas helps French businesses navigate and thrive in the fast-growing Texas and U.S. markets, fostering collaboration and long-term success.
For SXSW 2025, a captivating program was designed, offering diverse formats and an impressive lineup of inspiring speakers, aiming to spark creative thinking and foster unexpected connections. The event once again proved to be a boundary-pushing experience that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime.
Key Highlights of France’s Presence at SXSW 2025
Delegation of Companies by Team Export Bpifrance & We Are
A large delegation of French companies participated, showcasing the dynamism and diversity of France’s presence at SXSW. These interactions helped strengthen the ties between French and American businesses.
Full Day Program Organized by La French Touch | Bpifrance in Partnership with Villa Albertine
One of the highlights of the French presence was a dedicated day of innovation featuring inspiring discussions and a concert with artists like Barbara Butch, DJ at Paris 2024, Agoria, and Møme. It was the perfect opportunity to discover the French creative ecosystem in a lively setting, with talks from influential personalities such as Deborah Papiernik, Hugo Travers, Nicolas Santi-Weil, and Olivier Goy. Air France, Delta, and KLM also added their touch to the evening.
Networking Soiree to Honor La French Tech Champions
This exclusive event, held at Microsoft, celebrated leaders in the tech sector such as Sarah Bird from Microsoft, Aisha Tahirkheli from KPMG US, and innovative companies like Brevo, LumApps, Electra, Orbiss Inc., and Genesys. It was a fantastic evening for networking and discussing the latest advances in technology.
Panel on the Largest Wind-Powered Cargo Ship
Another key moment was the panel discussing sustainable innovations in the maritime industry, featuring Pierre Dufour from Honeywell, Laurent Corbel from NEOLINE, Philippe Faria from CEVA Logistics, and Constance Bost from FACC Texas. They discussed wind-powered propulsion technologies and how they are revolutionizing the shipping sector.
Meetings with the Artemis Crew and Influential SXSW Figures
Attendees had the opportunity to meet the Artemis crew, as well as influential figures from the festival like Hugh Forrest (CEO of SXSW) and Amy Webb, the keynote speaker at SXSW. These meetings opened doors for valuable exchanges.
MeetUp Tech Made in France by La French Tech
La French Tech hosted a MeetUp that allowed French tech startups to connect, discuss, and showcase their innovations to an international audience, further cementing France’s reputation in the tech world
Panel & Workshop: Storytelling & Creativity
Eric J. Krueger (Meta), Paul Raphaël (Felix & Paul Studios), Mathieu de Fayet (LVMH), and Reb Carlson (Razorfish) explored the art of captivating and connecting with audiences through storytelling, offering valuable insights into how to create powerful and engaging narratives in an oversaturated media landscape.
Digital Innovation and Luxury Panel
Another major session was led by Gordan Djogasevic of Louis Vuitton, where they explored how digital innovation is transforming the customer experience in the luxury industry.
Leveraging Innovation to Transform the Luxury Industry
An exclusive session with Francis Kurkdjian and Mathieu de Fayet from LVMH highlighted how innovation is shaping the future of luxury, particularly in brand experiences and high-end fashion.
What Comes After the Paris Olympics?
Thierry Rebeul and Thomas Jolly, Artistic Director of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, offered a fascinating look into the post-Olympics projects, focusing on the cultural and creative legacy that will follow the event.
Visit to Troublemakers Studios of Robert Rodriguez
Participants had the chance to visit Robert Rodriguez’s film studio, an iconic creative hub at the intersection of filmmaking and technology.
Prototype Testing for GROWL
The GROWL prototype, an innovative project, was tested, offering a glimpse into the future of interactive and immersive technology.
An Unforgettable Edition
France’s presence at SXSW 2025 was an overwhelming success, with a rich and varied program that demonstrated French excellence in numerous fields. Thanks to inspiring events, high-level panels, and networking opportunities, SXSW once again proved to be an essential platform for global innovation.
We extend heartfelt thanks to all the teams and partners who made this edition possible, and we’re already counting down the days until the next edition of SXSW, where France will continue to push the boundaries of innovation and international collaboration.
