Home> CNES (en)> The CNES organisation chart> Biographies> François Alter
Advisor to the President
Born in 1978, François Alter graduated from "Ecole Normale Supérieure" Paris and is a "Corps des Mines" chief engineer. He holds a PhD on applied mathematics with works on satellite image processing chain in collaboration with CNES. He is the author of 20+ scientific and technical publications and patents.
He has a strong focus in innovation, public policies and technologies. After few years in aerospace (Sogeclair Aerospace) & software (Microsoft, DxO Labs) companies, he became in charge of the Paris Region industrial development. Then he joined the French Ministry of Higher Education & Research as Head of the technology transfer department, and after as the Science, Space and Innovation Advisor of the Minister. After working as an investment director at the Prime Minister Office, he joined the French Ministry of Finance & Economy to participate to the creation of a service with national authority on competitive intelligence, while also founding a digital startup.
François Alter has joined the French Space Agency (CNES) since 2017 where he is in charge of venture and business development, being involved in strategic private-public projects of the agency.
Appointed Advisor to the President and CEO of CNES and member of its executive committee, he takes up his duties in April 2021.
François Alter Credits: CNES/TRONQUART Nicolas, 2018
francois alter