InvestorInvesting in healthcare for better health outcomes.
The startup scene in France
PULSALYS says it turns University of Lyon laboratory research into business and startup opportunities across Lyon and Saint-Étienne. It reports that it was created in December 2013 as a technology-transfer acceleration company serving that territory.
About
PULSALYS says it turns University of Lyon laboratory research into business and startup opportunities across Lyon and Saint-Étienne. It reports that it was created in December 2013 as a technology-transfer acceleration company serving that territory.
ONLYLYON Invest maps regional pharmaceutical and biotechnology strengths across infectious disease, oncology, neuroscience, organ-on-chip, and metabolism. It lists 16,000 pharma and biotech jobs and more than 300 pharmaceutical actors across the Lyon region; these are regional figures, not city-proper counts.
Le Monde reported in March 2025 that Lyon startup Netri had raised €5 million and employed 35 people at the time. These are historical figures reported at publication, not current status.
Startup ecosystem standing
Where Lyon ranks
| Ranking | Edition | Position | Since last edition | Trust | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Global Innovation Index: Innovation Cluster Ranking (formerly Science and Technology Clusters) | 2026 | #95 | Down 5 | B | Innovation, Research, Activity |
 Global Startup Ecosystem Index (cities) | 2025 | #125 | No prior edition | B | Ecosystem, Activity, Finance, Business Climate |
 Emerging Ecosystems Ranking (GSER Top 100) | 2026 | 41 to 50 | No prior edition | C | Ecosystem, Performance, Finance, Talent |
52 organizations with a profile
Who's based in Lyon
Investors 26
Investor
InvestorImproving global health through innovation and research.
InvestorHealthcare-focused private equity firm
The 3 most prominent of 26. Browse all investors
Accelerators 10
AcceleratorH7 is a private startup accelerator based in Lyon, France, that supports tech startups focused on social and environmental impact. It operates from a…
AcceleratorEntrepreneurs dans la Ville is a free entrepreneurial acceleration program in France, established in 2007, targeting young individuals from priority…
AcceleratorPépites is a program co-led by the Lyon Metropolis and the Lyon Metropole Chamber of Commerce, supporting high-potential SMEs in their hyper-growth…
The 3 most prominent of 10. Browse all accelerators
Incubators 10
IncubatorBusiness incubator supporting entrepreneurs in France.
IncubatorEducational institution and entrepreneurship hub in Lyon.
IncubatorSupporting startups across France.
The 3 most prominent of 10. Browse all incubators
Venture studios 6
Venture studioImpact-driven startup studio in Lyon, France.
Venture studioEmpowering sustainable industrial innovation.
Venture studioEntrepreneurs for a better world
The 3 most prominent of 6. Browse all venture studios
Pick what describes you
Your way in
Raising in Lyon
Investors based here, and the programs that take teams at your stage.
Get investor introsFinding startups in Lyon
Accelerators and incubators here see the earliest teams first.
Get startups that fitScouting in Lyon
Campuses and communities are where teams form before anyone funds them.
Start scoutingFrom public sources
What the sources say about Lyon
Le Monde reported in March 2025 that Lyon startup Netri had raised €5 million and employed 35 people at the time.
Source: À Lyon, les organes sur puce se fabriquent à la chaîneONLYLYON Invest says the region has over 300 pharmaceutical actors across research, development, and production.
Source: Pharma et biotechnologieONLYLYON Invest lists 16,000 pharma and biotech jobs across the Lyon region.
Source: Pharma et biotechnologieONLYLYON Invest maps regional strengths across infectious disease, oncology, neuroscience, organ-on-chip, and metabolism.
Source: Pharma et biotechnologiePULSALYS reports creation in December 2013 as a SATT for the Lyon–Saint-Étienne territory.
Source: PULSALYSPULSALYS says it turns University of Lyon laboratory research into business and startup opportunities across Lyon and Saint-Étienne.
Source: PULSALYS
Questions about Lyon
How does Lyon rank as a startup ecosystem?
Lyon is #125 of 1,473 in StartupBlink Index (cities) (2025). It appears in 3 published rankings; the table above lists each one.
How many startup investors are based in Lyon?
26 investors based in Lyon have a profile here, including ARCHIMED, INSTITUT MÉRIEUX and Merieux Equity Partners. The real number is higher.
Are there accelerators or incubators in Lyon?
Yes. Lyon has 10 accelerators, 10 incubators and 6 venture studios on record, including H7, Auxime | Envolys - Couveuse d'entreprises and WAOUP.
Geographic proximity
Nearby cities to Lyon
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