Lyon, March 1, 2026 – Odoo, the Belgian software publisher, has announced the establishment of its French headquarters in the heart of the Lyon Metropolis, with an official opening slated for May 2026. This strategic move is expected to generate several hundred jobs in the region over the next three years, reinforcing Lyon’s position as a dynamic tech hub.
A Strategic Choice to Structure the French Market
Founded in 2002, Odoo has grown into a global enterprise with a presence in 14 countries, operating through 19 offices and employing over 7,000 people worldwide, including 1,700 in Belgium. France stands as Odoo’s second-largest global market, trailing only the United States.
The decision to open a dedicated French headquarters in Lyon is aimed at closely managing French operations, catering directly to clients and integration partners. The new subsidiary is projected to employ several hundred staff within three years.
Initial recruitment efforts will focus on human resources, commercial roles, and project managers, with a gradual expansion into technical and R&D teams.
An Attractive Digital Ecosystem
According to Joséphine Vander Linden, Odoo’s Head of Development in France, Lyon offers a “dynamic tech ecosystem” and a “rich talent pool.” This environment is deemed ideal for addressing the specific challenges of the French market, particularly the ongoing transition to electronic invoicing.
The Métropole de Lyon and ONLYLYON Invest provided comprehensive support to Odoo, assisting with human resources, French labor law, and facilitating connections with local economic and institutional stakeholders.
Bertrand Foucher, General Manager of ONLYLYON Invest, highlighted that Odoo’s establishment underscores the region’s ability to attract international talent, noting that about ten Belgian employees will relocate to launch the subsidiary.
A Catalyst for Industrial Digitalization
Odoo’s solutions, initially conceived as an open-source enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, now encompass a broad spectrum of business functions, including CRM, finance, human resources, production, CMS, and e-commerce.
The company emphasizes its contribution to the digitalization of SMEs and the strengthening of European digital sovereignty. Notably, Odoo offers a free accredited platform to assist French companies in complying with the electronic invoicing mandate, which is set to take effect before September 2026.
The Lyon establishment aligns with a structured environment that includes key players such as H7, Digital League, Minalogic, and La French Tech Saint-Étienne Lyon, all actively involved in supporting the development of digital businesses.
Confirmed Growth Ambition
With this new headquarters, Odoo aims to solidify its presence in the French market and enhance its operational proximity to companies undergoing digital transformation.
Through this project, the Métropole de Lyon reaffirms its position as a welcoming territory for international digital players, especially as the digitalization of industrial and administrative processes becomes a major challenge for business competitiveness.
Source: lyon-entreprises.com
