Oriented towards scientific and innovative activities, with 36,300 jobs and 2,230 establishments (across all sectors) and high-tech activities representing more than half of the jobs, Sophia Antipolis is an increasingly dynamic technology park.
In total, the “product” turnover is 5.5 billion euros (2016). In the year that just ended, an additional 791 jobs were recorded.
A fertile ground for start-ups, 13 fundraising operations have raised 104 million euros.
The “core target” activities account for more than half of the jobs and turnover of Sophia Antipolis through 516 establishments with 20,173 jobs and 3.2 billion euros in turnover in 2015.
Thus, information and communication technologies (ICT), health-chemistry sciences, earth sciences, energy, higher education, and research maintain a predominant weight in the Sophia Antipolis ecosystem.
Business services, complementary to the “core target” activities, are also highly present, both through consulting firms, lawyers and accountants, communication-publishing, and through basic services such as security or cleaning. In total, business services represent 13% of the jobs in Sophia Antipolis for 24% of the number of establishments.
An ecosystem composed of large companies and young innovative SMEs
Historically, Sophia Antipolis was built around the establishment of large national and foreign companies that chose to locate here to develop their market share in Europe.
Sophia Antipolis still retains strong global appeal, as evidenced by the significant presence of foreign capital enterprises (FCE): 188 FCEs from 24 different countries account for nearly 10,000 jobs, or nearly a third of the jobs in Sophia Antipolis.
The recent arrival of major names such as Magneti Marelli, Bosh, or Huawei is also a clear sign of the renewed attractiveness of the technology park.
Moreover, this exogenous development in Sophia Antipolis today combines with significant endogenous development, as indicated by the presence of numerous small businesses (62% of establishments have fewer than 5 employees).
Sophia Antipolis tomorrow, a “place to live for active people”
As of today, active people in Sophia Antipolis benefit from a diverse range of personal services. Shops, health professionals, dining and real estate activities, as well as hotel and accommodation offerings represent 13% of jobs for 32% of the number of establishments.
