Odoo establishes its French headquarters in Lyon to structure its growth
Belgian software publisher Odoo has announced the establishment of its French headquarters in the Lyon metropolitan area starting in May 2026. This strategic decision highlights the region’s attractiveness for leading European tech companies and strengthens its position as a major hub for digital transformation.
A european leader in business digitalization
Founded in 2002, Odoo has become a major player in business digitalization both in Europe and internationally. Initially designed as an ERP system, its open-source software has evolved into a comprehensive application suite covering all organizational functions: CRM, finance, human resources, manufacturing, CMS, and e-commerce.
Accessible and modular, the solution serves all types of businesses—from small companies to large enterprises—offering a competitive business model and strong innovation capabilities driven by sustained investment in R&D.
With a presence in 14 countries across 19 offices, the company employs more than 7,000 people worldwide and is experiencing strong international growth. France is currently its second-largest market, behind the United States.
Lyon: a strategic choice to lead the French market
Odoo has chosen Lyon to establish the headquarters of its French subsidiary in order to structure and manage its development closer to its clients and partners.
This move is part of a strategy to strengthen operational proximity in a key market, particularly in the context of the nationwide rollout of electronic invoicing in France scheduled by 2026.
The future subsidiary will take over and manage the company’s French operations, with the ambition of creating several hundred jobs over the next three years.
Initial hiring will focus on HR, sales, and project management roles, followed by the gradual expansion of technical and R&D teams.
A Strong Digital Ecosystem and a Rich Talent Pool
The choice of Lyon is based on the quality of its digital ecosystem and the strength of its talent pool.
The Lyon region offers:
- A dynamic tech environment built around recognized industry players
- Access to a large pool of highly skilled professionals
- An attractive quality of life that supports international talent relocation
- High-performing innovation networks such as Digital League, Minalogic, and La French Tech Saint-Étienne Lyon
All of these advantages help support the long-term growth of technology companies.
ONLYLYON Invest: supporting the expansion
ONLYLYON Invest supported Odoo throughout its expansion project, facilitating its integration into the local ecosystem and providing operational support, particularly in HR and legal matters.
“The establishment of Odoo’s French subsidiary in Lyon, with several hundred jobs, highlights the strength of its digital ecosystem and its ability to attract international talent”,
— said Bertrand Foucher, Managing Director of ONLYLYON Invest.
This expansion also contributes to strengthening the digitalization of the economy—particularly among SMEs—and supports European digital sovereignty.
A Boost for Lyon’s Tech Ecosystem
The arrival of Odoo further reinforces the momentum of the digital sector in the Lyon region and enhances its attractiveness for international companies.
By joining this ecosystem, the company will actively contribute to the digital transformation of French organizations and to the development of accessible, high-performance, and sovereign innovations at the European level.