French Tech New Caledonia has secured French Tech Capital status for 2026–2028, becoming only the second French overseas territory to receive the designation as the Pacific territory accelerates efforts to position itself as a regional technology and innovation hub.
The announcement was formally made on May 12 at Station N in Noumea during a joint press conference involving Christopher Gygès, High Commissioner Jacques Billant, Southern Province Assembly President Sonia Backès and French Tech New Caledonia president Hatem Bellagi.
Officials described the recognition as a major institutional milestone that strengthens New Caledonia’s standing within France’s national innovation ecosystem and enhances its international credibility among investors, entrepreneurs and strategic partners.
“This is a real recognition for New Caledonia, and this status brings greater visibility at the national and international levels,” Gygès said, noting that the local tech sector only began emerging in 2019.
Authorities said the new designation would provide greater institutional legitimacy and increased access to national programmes, funding opportunities and policy discussions alongside other French Tech capitals.
The achievement follows six years of coordinated ecosystem-building since New Caledonia obtained the French Tech Community label in 2020. The initiative has been driven through partnerships involving the government of New Caledonia, OPT-NC, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of New Caledonia, the Technopole and local startup companies.
Since then, authorities have launched several initiatives aimed at supporting digital entrepreneurship and economic diversification, including the Tech for Good programme focusing on GreenTech, BlueTech, SocialTech and DeepTech sectors.
New Caledonia has also increased participation in international technology events, including VivaTech, French Tech Days Overseas and regional innovation forums in the Pacific and New Zealand.
In October 2024, New Caledonia hosted the second edition of the Overseas French Tech Days under the theme “So Tech, So Good,” bringing together about 400 participants, 40 experts and representatives from six French Tech communities across overseas territories and the Pacific region. The closing ceremony was attended by French Minister for Overseas Territories François-Noël Buffet.
Regional expansion is also being driven through plans for the Pacific Tech Hub project, which aims to connect South Pacific technology ecosystems, strengthen regional collaboration and establish Noumea as a strategic Indo-Pacific digital hub.
The territory has additionally introduced regulatory and financing tools to support startup development, including Young Innovative Company status adopted in 2020 and crowdfunding initiatives such as Invest In Pacific.
Officials said New Caledonia’s presence at the 2025 VivaTech conference generated more than 1,700 visitors, nearly 1,000 business leads and over 80 million CFP francs in economic benefits. Local startups also secured international recognition, including the “HR Innovation Award” for Optimal RH in 2024 and the “Tech for Change Award” for FireTracking in 2025.
For the 2026 VivaTech event, New Caledonia plans to expand its footprint with a 70-square metre pavilion featuring eight startups and 16 partners, including a dedicated investment promotion area showcasing the territory’s business environment and innovation ecosystem.
French Tech New Caledonia said the next phase of development would focus on scaling national programmes, deepening regional integration and supporting long-term economic diversification through technology, digital transformation and innovation.
