ARLANE Newsletter #02 December 2025: Between the Chinese "9-9-6" model and French know-how: a world in competition
15/12/2025
Coming back from a study trip to China in 2025 means becoming aware of the gap between the Chinese dynamism and our own: a collective and individual will to succeed. – The 9-9-6 model (9am–9pm, 6 days a week), strong R&D, and an ability to attract capital, engineers, and foreign investment.
The overall impression is that of a perfectly orchestrated ecosystem, where political, financial, and industrial management reinforce one another. This contrast could lead one to think that Europe is doomed to fall behind. However, this is not the case: France has not lost its productive strengths. In our regions, companies of excellence are developing — discreet but efficient — mastering rare know-how and showing great agility.
Contrary to popular belief, exports are not limited to CAC 40 companies, as three SMEs in our portfolio demonstrate: each already generates more than 40% of its revenue outside our borders.
These three fast-growing companies are run by entrepreneurs who have mastered exporting: mobilization of bank financing and local agents activation of diplomatic and institutional networks.
In a world where trade tensions and geopolitical uncertainties require a fine reading of the markets, these "hidden champions" embody the type of companies that we identify, support and strengthen - companies capable of growing, innovating and performing internationally while maintaining local employment.
Even though part of our ecosystem is standing still, it is up to us to give these agile and ambitious champions the means to succeed. This is the purpose of our fund.
The overall impression is that of a perfectly orchestrated ecosystem, where political, financial, and industrial management reinforce one another. This contrast could lead one to think that Europe is doomed to fall behind. However, this is not the case: France has not lost its productive strengths. In our regions, companies of excellence are developing — discreet but efficient — mastering rare know-how and showing great agility.
Contrary to popular belief, exports are not limited to CAC 40 companies, as three SMEs in our portfolio demonstrate: each already generates more than 40% of its revenue outside our borders.
These three fast-growing companies are run by entrepreneurs who have mastered exporting: mobilization of bank financing and local agents activation of diplomatic and institutional networks.
In a world where trade tensions and geopolitical uncertainties require a fine reading of the markets, these "hidden champions" embody the type of companies that we identify, support and strengthen - companies capable of growing, innovating and performing internationally while maintaining local employment.
Even though part of our ecosystem is standing still, it is up to us to give these agile and ambitious champions the means to succeed. This is the purpose of our fund.