By: Georgette Virgo

ONLYLYON, the official economic development agency of the Lyon metropolitan area, has led a senior delegation to New York and Boston from November 18–21, 2025, advancing transatlantic partnerships focused on sustainable innovation, talent cultivation, and economic growth. 

As the mission draws to a close, institutional, industrial, and academic leaders from Lyon have spent four days collaborating with their counterparts in North America, in two of the world’s leading hubs for research, investment, and French–American exchange.

The delegation brought together executives and university presidents, including representatives from Université de Lyon, Centrale Lyon, INSA Lyon, ENS, emlyon, Sciences Po Lyon, IAE Lyon, and Mines Saint-Étienne. This attendance reflects Lyon’s ecosystem-driven model, uniting diverse leaders to build solutions for future-oriented and socially relevant growth. 

Their presence reflects Lyon’s ecosystem-driven model, uniting diverse decision-makers to build solutions for future-oriented and socially relevant growth at a time when global supply chains and scientific alliances are undergoing significant reshaping.

A Strategic Partnership Across the Atlantic

ONLYLYON’s international high-impact mission is designed to reinforce Lyon’s strategic partnerships with the U.S., uniting industry, academia, and local authorities around the pillars of innovation, talent cultivation, and solutions for the future. 

The U.S. stands as Lyon’s foremost non-European partner, with American investment powering sectors such as health, chemicals, engineering, and technology. Companies like Sanofi, Carrier, Hexcel, and bioMérieux already anchor robust collaborations, while the region’s universities interact regularly with academic counterparts such as Harvard, MIT, and Tufts. 

At the same time, American universities continue to be key partners for Lyon–Saint-Étienne institutions, through joint research programs, student mobility initiatives, and innovation collaborations.

Serving as a bridge between Europe and America, ONLYLYON aims to highlight the strengths of Lyon’s “talent factory” and “impact factory” models. By bringing together regional leaders for targeted meetings and events in two of North America’s influential cities, the delegation expands opportunities for collaboration, mutual investment, and knowledge exchange.

Bertrand Foucher, CEO of ONLYLYON&CO, mentions, “Lyon has always built its attractiveness through cooperation. This mission embodies a shared ambition: to make our territory a trusted partner for North American players in industry and research.”

Three Strategic Pillars: Economic, Academic, and Talent Networks

Throughout the high-impact mission, the delegation has focused on three strategic priorities. The economic pillar focuses on securing new investments and forging industrial partnerships in critical growth sectors, including energy transition, health innovation, green chemistry, and artificial intelligence. 

The academic pillar seeks to foster the creation and reinforcement of sustainable partnerships between universities and research centers. Discussions have focused on joint research programs, co-developed curricula, and expanded exchange opportunities, building on the complementary strengths of Lyon and the U.S. East Coast to pioneer cross-disciplinary education and discovery.

“Our universities play a key role in shaping a global dialogue grounded in knowledge and impact. This mission illustrates the collective strength of the Lyon–Saint-Étienne site,” shares  Nathalie Dompnier, President of Université de Lyon.

The talent and international network pillar enhances the visibility of Lyon–Saint-Étienne, raising Lyon’s profile as a destination of excellence for students, researchers, and industry professionals, while activating a dynamic alumni and ambassador network to extend Lyon’s influence.

Taken together, these pillars underscore Lyon’s unified identity as a region where education, industry, and innovation collaborate to address significant global challenges and enhance international competitiveness.

Inside the Immersive Three-Day Program

Over the four-day mission, delegates have followed an itinerary structured to encourage direct collaboration, practical learning, and high-level networking.

Key mission highlights include:

• “Choose Lyon” Summit at the French Consulate in New York: A forum uniting companies, investors, and academic leaders around decarbonization, talent mobility, and applied research.
• “Voices of Talent for Impact” evenings in both cities: Bringing together experts, alumni, and the Lyon community to address innovation challenges and create new alliances.
• Education-focused sessions at the Lycée Français de Manhattan: Showcasing Lyon’s advanced academic programs for prospective international students.
• Benchmarking expeditions to innovation hotspots: Including MIT, The Engine (deep tech incubator), and Sanofi’s headquarters in Boston.
• A “Lyon–Boston” Dinner: An exclusive gathering to strengthen bonds between academic, business, and global decision-makers.

These activities were conceived not only to facilitate dialogue but also to launch new research collaborations, joint ventures, and student exchanges. 

As the mission wraps up, the discussions held over the week are expected to inform concrete projects that will reinforce Lyon’s position as a leading European center for sustainable and human-centered innovation, while also providing North American partners with a trusted platform for impact-driven expansion in Europe.

Please visit ONLYLYON’s website for more information about the North America mission and follow-up initiatives.

About ONLYLYON

A national reference in territorial marketing and economic attractiveness, ONLYLYON&CO brings together public, financial, and academic stakeholders across the Lyon Metropolis.

The agency operates two main programs: ONLYLYON, dedicated to territorial branding and mobilization, and ONLYLYON Invest, which focuses on economic attractiveness and investor outreach.

It relies on a public–private governance model and an international network of ambassadors, all of whom are committed to promoting Lyon’s influence and supporting its ecological and industrial transitions.