Choosing Sophia Antipolis
6 reasons to set up here
Key benefits
Sophia Antipolis
6 reasons to set up here
The strength of the local ecosystem, the Riviera’s quality of life, excellent higher education and research establishments, without forgetting the proximity of France’s 2nd largest international airport, are all solid and lasting assets , which enable Sophia Antipolis to maintain its position as theleading European technopole.
Key stakeholders
Talents
Location
Environment
Infrastructure
Alice GUILHON
Dean of SKEMA Business School
Talents
A concentration of international talents in leading sectors
The French Riviera is home to the 3rd largest concentration of executives in France: a pool of expertise which is continually enhanced thanks to the contribution of internationally acclaimed engineering and management schools, and the power of attraction for French and international executives.
Over 160 different nationalities (almost a third of all employees) live and work in Sophia Antipolis, creating a unique multicultural environment. As a consequence, there is a whole range of services available for foreigners and the largest concentration of international schools in France after Paris.
“Sophia has given its entire soul to our internationally renowned business schools ”.
Alice GUILHON, Dean of SKEMA Business School
Location
An international territory connected to the world
Located just 20km from the technopole, Nice Côte d’Azur international airport, the 2nd busiest international airport in France flies direct to more than 100 destinations in 33 countries and offers daily flights at competitive prices to destinations in Europe, North America (New-York), the Middle East (Dubai) and Asia (Beijing): An exceptional connection at the heart of the EMEA zone (Europe, Middle East, Africa), a reference territory for many large groups and international SMEs.
Sophia Antipolis is close to large and internationally recognised centres of expertise, such as Cannes, capital of the International Film Festival and a business tourism destination with its Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, Grasse, a high-tech centre of perfumery which exports 70% of its production and Nice, France’s leading tourist destination after Paris, a smart city, serving a testing ground for mobility services, the clean tech sector and the silver economy.
“Sophia Antipolis boasts an innovation system and has an international airport on its doorstep, all in an unspoilt setting – it is rather unique”.
Christophe COURTIN, Business Angel & investor
Christophe COURTIN
Business Angel & investor
Jacques-Olivier PIEDNOIR
VP, Director of Research and Development for Cadence Design Systems
Environment
An exceptional quality of life in the heart of a natural park
Come to work and to be fulfilled at the heart of a 2,400-hectare natural park, offering a natural setting and a privileged lifestyle.
Nature and the environment are an integral part of the DNA of Sophia Antipolis, 90% of which is composed of green and planted areas. What’s more, the technopole is committed to preserving its exceptional natural environment through the conservation and enrichment of Mediterranean biodiversity within its two Departmental natural parks (the Brague and the Valmasque), which are both accessible by employees and residents of Sophia Antipolis for walking and leisure pursuits.
Furthermore, buildings in the technopole are “integrated” into the landscape and cannot be built taller than the ridge line of the hills in the park. Employees thus benefit from unobstructed views over the surrounding trees and hills, promoting creativity and well-being.
“Sophia Antipolis offers an exceptional working and living environment, with an open outlook and manages to retains skills”.
Jacques-Olivier PIEDNOIR, VP, Director of Research and Development for Cadence Design Systems
Real Estate Offer
A diversified and competitive real estate offering in a unique natural setting
A diversified supply of offices at competitive prices (5 times cheaper than London), responding to architectural and environmental demands.
The second largest business park in the region (2,400 hectares), Sophia Antipolis boasts a particularly rich and attractive real estate offering including both new and refurbished offices at very competitive prices.
Indeed, contrary to preconceived ideas, setting up a business on the French Riviera is not costly; Sophia Antipolis is one of the cheapest places in Europe in which to rent a new office.
Christophe FREY
General Manager, ARM France
Assets of the French Riviera
With internationally renowned cities such as Nice, Antibes, Cannes and the Principality of Monaco on its doorstep, the technopole established itself in the very heart of a legendary region with an open outlook. This internationalisation is clear both in terms of culture, marked by the presence of the greatest artists of the 20th century and festivals and conferences, including the emblematic Jazz à Juan festival and the Cannes Film Festival. These major events play host to the most influential individuals on the planet from the fields of politics, science, show biz, sport and film.
