Belgian Tech Giant Odoo Establishes French Subsidiary in Lyon, Promising 800 Jobs
Lyon, February 20 – Odoo, a Belgian company specializing in enterprise management software, has announced the establishment of its French subsidiary in Lyon. The new office, scheduled to open in May 2026, is expected to create 800 jobs over the next five years, with 100 positions to be filled by the end of 2026. This significant investment underscores Lyon’s growing appeal as a hub for technology and innovation.
A Strategic Choice for Odoo
Odoo, which develops a suite of open-source integrated management software covering various business functions such as sales, accounting, and human resources, chose Lyon over Paris for its French operations. Joséphine Vander Linden, who will head Odoo’s French subsidiary, highlighted Lyon’s highly developed economic fabric and strategic geographical location as key factors in their decision.
“We considered several French cities, but Lyon caught our attention due to its very developed economic fabric and strategic geographical location,” said Vander Linden. Héloïse Limauge, Project Manager at Odoo, added, “It’s a dynamic, young city that resembles the DNA of our company. There’s a whole ecosystem of companies where everyone knows each other.”
Significant Economic Impact and Job Creation
The company, valued at 8.6 billion euros in February 2026-a 72% increase in 15 months-is known for its rapid growth. Odoo currently employs 7,500 people worldwide and is a major player in the digitalization of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and very small businesses (VSBs), with France being its second-largest market.
The 800 new positions in Lyon will span various roles, including sales representatives, project managers, developers, research and development specialists, and marketing professionals. Vander Linden emphasized that Odoo is not exclusively seeking academic profiles but aims to offer opportunities to a diverse range of candidates. The company has already engaged with several tech schools in Lyon, such as École 42, to recruit future talent.
Odoo’s offices will be located either in the Part-Dieu district or Vaise, two dynamic areas within Lyon.
Support from Local Authorities and a Boost for the Regional Ecosystem
The establishment of Odoo’s subsidiary has been actively supported by Métropole de Lyon and OnlyLyon, which provided strategic assistance and facilitated networking within the local ecosystem. Bertrand Foucher, General Director of OnlyLyon & Co, stated, “The arrival of Odoo strengthens the local industrial fabric and its ecosystem. This establishment generates attraction for our territory.”
Sébastien Delestra, Director of Economic Action and Transition for Métropole de Lyon, highlighted the broader implications, stating, “This is also an issue of European sovereignty, as the management software market is predominantly dominated by North American companies.”
Lyon currently boasts France’s second-largest digital ecosystem in terms of jobs, startups, training programs, and laboratories, making it the leading sector of excellence for the Métropole de Lyon in terms of growth percentage. The arrival of Odoo is expected to further solidify this position.
Ten Belgian employees will relocate to Lyon to “fully experience the Lyonnaise experience,” according to Joséphine Vander Linden, ensuring a smooth integration and transfer of company culture.
Looking Ahead
The move by Odoo to establish a significant presence in Lyon is a testament to the city’s appeal to international tech companies. It is expected to create a ripple effect, attracting further investment and talent to the region, and contributing to the continued growth of Lyon’s digital economy.
Source: france3-regions.franceinfo.fr
