The WIOTC Europe Chapter [link to https://www.wiotc.eu/] was officially established in October 2025 in Marseille, France, marking a significant milestone in the expansion of the World Internet of Things Conference (WIOTC). Its mission is to extend WIOTC's reach into the European ecosystem, fostering IoT and digital economic cooperation and driving greater internationalization across broader regions.
The 2026 European Forum will bring together leading experts from France and China, with live reciprocal connectivity through the WIOTC platform. The forum will spotlight IoT development in France, emerging technologies, and the overarching theme of International Cooperation and Innovative Development of the Internet of Things and Digital Economy between France and China.
This first European Forum aims to establish a recurring event featuring high-level meetings, positioning itself as a strategic gateway between China and Europe for IoT development and cross-border collaboration—creating high-value opportunities in investment, research, communication, and academic exchange.
Participants can expect dynamic roundtable discussions with experts, scientists and academics from the Toulouse metropolitan area and other parts of France. For organizations seeking meaningful partnerships with France's top-ranked IoT companies and direct access to the thriving Toulouse ecosystem, the forum will offer exceptional networking opportunities.
The following French companies, or companies with a major presence in France, have been nominated to the IoT Top 500:
· Aerospace & Defense: Airbus, Thales, Safran, Aerospline, Lynred
· Industrial & Electronics: Schneider Electric, Éolane, STMicroelectronics, Alstom, Valeo, ACPI, ESI Group, A2SI, Adaxis, Robopolis
· Connectivity & Software: Orange, Dassault Systèmes, Actility, Stormshield, Inno TSD, Nimbits, Prophesee, Fluidinfo
· Smart Home & Building: Somfy Group, Crestron, Netatmo, Tado
· Healthcare & Biotech: Sanofi, Cellectis
· Mobility & Urban Services: Flowbird, Coyote System, Bell & Wyson
· Semiconductors & Components: Semtech
Toulouse is a one-of-a-kind European hub where aerospace excellence meets cutting-edge IoT innovation. Home to Airbus, Thales Alenia Space, and CNES, the city sits at the heart of the Aerospace Valley cluster, where one in four jobs is industry-related. Beyond aerospace, Toulouse has firmly established itself as a leading centre for IoT and Industry 4.0, hosting global players such as Sierra Wireless and Sigfox alongside dynamic startups like Witrax and Abeille. The city is equally a powerhouse of research and innovation, with institutions including ONERA, ISAE-SUPAERO, IRIT Labs, the University of Toulouse, and CyberCampus driving advances in IoT cybersecurity and beyond.
At the heart of this ecosystem lies IoT Valley in Labège — a world-class accelerator uniting startups, corporations, research laboratories, and investors. IoT Valley leads pioneering projects across smart aerospace maintenance, smart cities, connected agriculture, and healthcare IoT, delivering measurable outcomes: a 30% reduction in aircraft downtime, 20% energy savings in urban systems, and 25% water savings in precision farming.
Beyond technology, Toulouse offers an exceptional quality of life, blending its rich cultural heritage as La Ville Rose with UNESCO-listed sites, vibrant festivals, acclaimed agri-food producers and vineyards, sustainable mobility initiatives, and ambitious green transition projects — including Airbus's hydrogen-powered aircraft programme. This unique convergence of innovation, industry, and liveability makes Toulouse the ideal gateway for Sino-French cooperation in IoT and the digital economy.