About this directory

bâtir.(French for “to build”) is a public research directory of French-origin founders running companies outside of France. It's free, open, and designed to be the definitive resource for understanding the French entrepreneurial diaspora.

The project started with a simple question: how many French founders have left France to build companies abroad? The answer turned out to be much larger — and more interesting — than we expected.

A personal note

I'm Aurélien, a French founder based in Hong Kong. I started Kuration AI here in 2024 but started my first company in 2016, also in Hong Kong, and quickly realized there was a whole world of French entrepreneurs building incredible things far from Paris. I wanted to map it — both to celebrate what they're doing and to make it easier for us all to find each other.

What “French origin” means

We define “French origin” broadly: born in France, educated in France, or holding French nationality. The directory includes founders, co-founders, and CEOs only — not employees, investors, or advisors.

How the data stays fresh

The directory is powered by Kuration AI's research tools. Our system continuously monitors LinkedIn profiles, company registrations, and public records to keep the data current. A weekly sync ensures the directory reflects the latest information.

Corrections & additions

Know a French founder we're missing? Found an error? We want to hear from you.

Email us at aurelien@kuration.ai