The launch of a US-based subsidiary reflects the determination of L'Atelier BNP Paribas to offer businesses in emerging information and communication technologies (ICTs) a global advisory and technological monitoring service based on 3 websites:

•France with www.atelier.fr

•Asia with www.asie.atelier.fr

•USA with www.atelier-us.com

Just as for the French-based L'Atelier, L'Atelier North America is the flagship for all the websites, a place to meet and exchange ideas enabling professionals to better appreciate the issues involved in the development of information and communication technologies. Dominique Piotet manages L'Atelier North America, located in the heart of San Francisco near Silicon Valley, which focuses on biotech companies and start-ups. It will also provide BNP Paribas new leads and ideas in the US high-tech sector as it does in France.

An international strategy for growth and a new incubator for "Made in USA" content

Louis Treussard, CEO of L'Atelier BNP Paribas and Chairman of L'Atelier North America says: "This new branch based on the www.atelier-us.com website reflects the desire of BNP Paribas and L'Atelier BNP Paribas to expand in 2 or 3 international regions where BNP Paribas has a major presence and where this make sense for the ICTs". He concludes: "This new office is opening at a time when we have acquired in-depth knowledge and understanding of this market and are sufficiently mature". BNP Paribas, which employs 140,000 staff worldwide, already has over 15,000 US employees.

In line with its French language counterpart, www.atelier-us.com is written by a dedicated local team and is designed to highlight North American trends in innovation for all decision makers. It will also provide a summary of new trends in key information technologies to understand innovative emerging markets and services in the entrepreneurial hub of Silicon Valley, identify talent and future uses.

Dominique Piotet, President & CEO of L'Atelier North America said: "Based on our new subsidiary, we are looking to bolster contacts with major IT companies while remaining able to identify the future large players. By building a network of contacts we will be able to provide our clients and readers a valuable and proactive source of information, enabling them to carry out complete studies of the major technological trends on the US market."

From its showroom and US website, L'Atelier North America offers:

•A weekly Newsletter focusing exclusively on analyses and in-depth studies

•Podcasts

•Unpublished and sometimes entertaining hot news such as behind the scenes at MySpace, e-Networking in the US election campaign etc.

•Cutting-edge themes such as a special report on online advertising, or blogospheres, the future of robots etc.

•Key events including conferences etc. which present new systems, understanding the market, giving feedback from corporate users of the new technologies. The events are held in the showroom of L'Atelier North America which is already open in San Francisco.

Backed by 27 years of experience, BNP Paribas' technological watch centre will give its readers additional understanding of the high-tech market in the United States.