More than 1,100 tech start-ups and 4,000 entrepreneurs commit to Paris 2024 hacking event

By Amelia Fisher-Starzynski, Paris, 17 March 2017: The world’s brightest tech minds from France and abroad came together today to share their support for Paris 2024 and develop innovations to guarantee an unforgettable experience at a Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Nearly 4,000 participants, including 1,132 start-ups and 200 French and international tech experts, attended the Hacking of City Hall event, hosted by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo – the third time the City has held the world’s largest ‘hacking event.

This year’s edition, supported by Paris 2024, sought new ways to integrate the latest technology into the organisation of major sporting events. Along with Mayor Hidalgo, the event was attended by Paris 2024 Chief Executive Etienne Thobois and athlete ambassadors such as double Olympic fencing champion Brice Guyart and Rio 2016 boxing silver medallist Sarah Ourahmoune. The event looked at concrete opportunities the 2024 Games offer for start-ups such as:

• The need to deliver seamless transport solutions for athletes and fans to support Paris 2024’s compact Games concept
• The creation of a unique visitor experience in Paris which integrates the city’s world-class accommodation with an iconic city-centre celebration.
• Mobilising innovation to safeguard the environment, a core pillar of the Paris 2024 project that aims to produce the most sustainable Games ever
• Managing spectator flows to provide a smooth and efficient experience in and around the iconic Paris 2024 venues

Paris 2024 Chief Executive, Etienne Thobois, said:
“Innovation and creativity are at the core of the successful delivery of any major project. We have to work together with cutting edge and different vectors of innovation because the Olympic and Paralympic Games requires innovative thinking and solutions at all levels of the planning, organisation and delivery. With the full support of Paris’ tech community behind the bid, Paris 2024 is in a fantastic position to take the Games to the next level, enabling us to deliver a spectacular celebration of passion, purpose and innovation that captures the imagination of the next generation.”

Paris Mayor, Anne Hidalgo, said:
“Paris’ sharing culture means we are open to the world; we are targeting a total of 30% foreign start-ups by 2020, we already have the highest number of corporate head offices in Europe and the largest number of start-ups with over 1,500 a year. This dynamic, collaborative environment is an asset for the candidature of Paris 2024, because it will help us to develop solutions that benefit athletes and federations, visitors and sponsors. With Hacking of the City Hall, the biggest event of its kind in the world, we have once again demonstrated the tremendous potential and the many economic opportunities that the hosting of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris would bring.”

Paris is one of the world’s leading players in tech innovation and the start-up capital of Europe. Over the past decade, Paris has invested more than €1 billion in innovation. The city has 60 incubators, 15 projects, 80 co-working areas and 23 fab labs, including Le Cargo, the largest incubator in Europe, and Le Tremplin, the first incubator dedicated to sport in the heart of a stadium. This summer, Paris will also open Station F, the largest incubator in the world.

At the Hacking of City Hall event, a number of Paris 2024 Official Partners and Suppliers were also mobilised to share their knowledge and expertise including: AccorHotels, Air France, Elior Group, Orange, and the Caisse des Dépôts Group.