New Zealand health businesses are expanding in Europe and using France as a base for their growth.
The country's ageing population, innovation focus and preventative health care are providing business opportunities with The Pure Food Co and The Insides Company just two of the Kiwi businesses helping meet the demand.
The Pure Food Co was founded in 2013 by Maia Royal and Sam Bridgewater, offering texture-modified meals with added nutrition like protein for people who struggle to swallow.
People are now eating their meals in New Zealand, Australia, France and as of this year, Belgium and Switzerland.
"In Belgium... we're able to show that across the pilot, four people who weren't eating before started eating again," Royal told 1News from their European headquarters in Station F, a startup hub in Paris.
"Disability care - we've had letters, emails from parents who have emailed saying that they've seen their daughter smile more after the meals."
The meals are eaten by older people, people who are receiving cancer treatment and those with disabilities, among others.
"We're proud to build something that had global applicability but it came from a cool Kiwi idea and we're able to take that to the world because ultimately, our mission is to nourish the world's seniors..." Bridgewater said.
The Insides Company recently moved into Station F too, to help the business which came out of the University of Auckland grow in France.
The company creates medical devices which allow patients to retain their intestinal fluids after their intestines have been surgically disconnected after a serious illness or injury. The device acts as a missing link, refeeding nutrients and liquid which hydrates and nourishes the body in a treatment called chyme reinfusion.
The devices have been exported to over 20 countries, with more than 1000 patients treated.
Most people use it for a period of time before they're healthy enough to have their intestines reconnected, although some people use the device long-term.
Chief executive Garth Sutherland is now basing himself between Paris and New Zealand after receiving an endorsement from the French health ministry.
The device was approved for Government funding in France, with negotiations the next step in the process.
"It's a high bar to get funded, so it's respected around the world, so it's a major market endorsement for our product," Sutherland said.
New Zealand Ambassador to France Joanna Kempers said with the free trade agreement in place between the European Union and New Zealand, the relationship has gone from strength to strength in the past two years.
"New Zealand companies are much more front of mind for European regulators who say, 'Oh, okay, we've got this free trade agreement, it's another sign that New Zealand is a trusted partner for France and for Europe," she said.
New Zealand exports to the EU have increased from $6.22b in the year to June 2024 to $9.39b in the year to June 2026.
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