Last week, the French-American Chamber of Commerce of California SF-LA hosted the 10th edition of the French-American Business Awards (FABA), honoring the achievements of exceptional companies and individuals shaping the transatlantic business landscape.
Held at the iconic InterContinental Mark Hopkins in San Francisco and gathering over 200 attendees, the evening brought together innovators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders from across industries to celebrate a decade of French-American business excellence.
This landmark edition of the FABAs recognized 12 winners out of 27 finalists across 11 categories, selected by a panel of 70 jury and advisory board members. From cutting-edge tech to sustainable solutions and culinary excellence, the 2025 awards spotlighted the depth and diversity of the regional ecosystem.
- In the Startup category, Sensio Air stood out as a double winner, receiving both the Public Choice Award and the Jury Prize. The company has developed the only patented sensor technology for real-time detection of airborne particles and allergens—paving the way for smarter health and environmental solutions.
- The Tech Innovation Award was presented to Odaseva, a robust data management and security platform built for enterprises leveraging Salesforce. Meanwhile, Planisware took home the Tech Growth Award for its cloud-based AI platform that redefines how organizations manage strategic planning and execution.
- In the Food category, the beloved local institution Amélie Wine Bar was named Food Company of the Year, celebrating over 20 years of success and impact in the Bay Area wine and culinary scene and beyond.
- Sustainability was also center stage, with Reebelo winning the Climate Resilience Award for its innovative circular economy model offering consumers
affordable alternatives to new electronics, and Edwards Lifesciences earning recognition in Life Sciences for pioneering work in cardiovascular care. - In the Aerospace & Aeronautics category, Beyond Aero was celebrated for pushing the boundaries of private aviation with its development of hydrogen-powered electric aircraft.
- The awards also spotlighted individuals making waves in their fields. Stéphane de Meurville of Chandon California was named Wine Personality of the Year for his remarkable contributions to the wine industry and the French-American community.
- In Entertainment, Stan Ruszkowski, CEO of The Boxoffice Company, the world’s #1 provider of media, technology, and data for the global film industry, received the Leader of the Year Award, while a Special Distinction went to Boris Labourguigne, Founder of LEFT, a creative production company.
A highlight of the evening was the fireside chat led by Romain German from BPI France, featuring guest of honor Marjorie Janiewicz, Global Head of Revenue and US General Manager at Mistral AI—named AI Company of the Year, for their pioneering work in generative artificial intelligence.
The event also welcomed special guests from Southern California, including the Deputy Director of the Los Angeles chapter of the FACC, Aurélie Brisac and Pierre Perifel of DreamWorks, underscoring the growing statewide momentum of the French-American business ecosystem.
The 10th edition of the FABAs was more than just an awards ceremony—it was a celebration of French-American innovation, excellence, and collaboration. As the French-American business community continues to grow and evolve, events like these serve as a powerful reminder of the shared values and ambitions driving transatlantic success.
For more information on the 2025 winners and nominees, visit the official FABA website.
