accelerators and incubators from France by vestbee
31 August 2022·10 min read

Valerie Stupnikova

Vestbee

Best Startup Accelerators And Incubators In France

We've explored accelerators across Europe, including the Netherlands, Bulgaria, the UK, Slovenia, and more. So now, let's have a look at France. As of 2022, France ranked fourth among European countries for startups. Numerous entrepreneurs find it a desirable destination due to its private investments, tax exemptions, and government subsidies. To be more precise, the French government facilitates the creation of innovative enterprises through various competitions, projects, and loans, such as participatory seeding loans, which combine debt and equity, or honorary loans, which are without real or personal guarantees. One of the most appealing aspects of the startup ecosystem in France is that foreigners can apply for the French Tech Ticket program, which allows them to start businesses within the country. 

In light of the attractive business conditions provided by the government and the numerous active players, such as Bla Bla Car, or La French Tech, we have prepared a list of several French accelerators that help startups grow.

STATION F 

Geography: global
Preferred industries: new technologies
Company stage: early-stage

Station F is the largest French startup campus that hosts numerous programs to support various growing startups and entrepreneurs who plan to launch. Among the currently active projects is LAUNCH, an online program providing over 40 video lessons on entrepreneurship. Throughout the program, one can learn about validating an idea, business models, creating a brand image, acquisition strategy, and how to prepare a pitch deck. For €9.90 per month, one will get access to the community and the library tools with discounts and a pitch deck template. However, the program is available off-charge with full library content that includes videos, articles, and event recommendations from the Station F team. Another active project is the Fighter Program, which supports marginalized people wanting to boost their startups. Participation is free; applicants should have proof of concept and work full-time on their projects to apply for the program.

NEOMA Business School Startup Lab

Geography: France
Preferred industries: edtech, mobility
Company stage: early-stage

NEOMA Business School educates students, executives, and entrepreneurs on global business and societies. Apart from academics, the school offers incubation that includes several stages. First, initial contact is made with the school team, which assists in identifying a business idea. Following this is the pre-incubation phase, consisting of individual coaching, events, and a competition. Afterward, incubation costs €50 per project and month and allows participants access to equipped offices, training sessions, meetings with business experts, help with their website or application development, and a demo day. And the last step involves the first fundraising event that grants access to NEOMA's mobility and EdTech accelerators. However, to get support from the school, a team must include at least one student from NEOMA Business School.

50 Partners 

Geography: global
Preferred industries: AI, agritech, B2B SaaS, Big Data, business service, circular, cybersecurity, e-commerce, edtech, edutech, energy, esport, FemTech, fintech, foodtech, greentech, HR, health, insurtech, IoT, logistics, marketplace, martech, mobility, proptech, regtech, retailtech, silvertech, social, spacetech, traveltech, Web3
Company stage: undisclosed

50 Partners means 50 founders of successful French companies, including Blablacar, Dataiku, LebonCoin, and more. The team offers three long-lasting accelerating programs for a limited number of firms and founders. Digital accelerator supports ambitious entrepreneurs aiming to develop business, technology, and management; Impact program helps innovative French environmental and social impact companies; and Health program aims to back health, medtech, and biotech startups and entrepreneurs. In addition, 50 Partners helps with funding, provides access to its coworking space in the heart of Paris, introduces participants to the international startup network, and hosts workshops, one-on-one meetings, conferences, and more.

SAP.iO Foundry Paris 

Geography: France
Preferred industries: energy & natural resources, discrete industries, financial services, consumer industries, public services, service industries, AI, machine learning, blockchain, RPA, IoT, AV/VR, intelligence enterprise, industry 4.0, experience management, sustainability management, social impact 
Company stage: undisclosed

As part of SAP, a software and technology company, SAP.io is a strategic business unit with offices across the globe, including in France. SAP.io accelerates and incubates innovative startups, offering numerous programs yearly. In addition, SAP.io Foundry Paris conducts programs in various spheres; for instance, the spring cohort program 2022 focuses on companies contributing to sustainability in the service industries. Besides, SAP.io offers two accelerator programs - SAP BTP online startup program for data-driven entrepreneurs and Grow, a SaaS package for organizations that get financial, procurement, project management assistance, and more.

1Kubator 

Geography: France
Preferred industries: digital, deeptech, hardware, social impact
Company stage: stage-agnostic

1Kubator is the first French-speaking innovation network supporting businesses throughout the country. Its dedicated team provides training, incubation, and acceleration to startups, with customized programs for SMEs, ETIs, large enterprises, and more. To be precise, 1kubator offers an à la carte incubation program to early-stage startups, from helping to structure your business idea to the Series A stage. For startups with a certain level of maturity, various acceleration programs are available in collaboration with large corporations on thematics such as sustainable mobility and housing, healthcare, agtech, fintech, and else. The network supports over 300 French companies for now.

Wilco

Geography: global
Preferred industries: SilverEco & HandiTech, medtech, biotech, industry 4.0, proptech & smart city, transport & mobility, cleantech & agritech, retailtech, tech for good, customer expirience, fintech & insurtech, HR & legal, sales & marketing, cyber & data
Company stage: undisclosed

Wilco helps startups, midcaps, and large groups through its annual acceleration programs tailored to 16 different sectors. Additionally, the firm offers active sessions. Start sessions include six-day themed bootcamps focusing on business development and one-on-one coaching that lasts eight days, during which experts help to structure one's business plan. Also, Wilco conducts loan sessions, offering non-dilutive financing for up to €150K for startups and €60K per associate with zero interest and a 12-month deferral. Additionally, the firm accelerates growth through corporate mentoring, fundraising coaching, structuring pitch, and more.

Founders Future

Geography: Europe
Preferred industries: platforms, marketplace, SaaS
Company stage: seed

Founders Future is an investment firm that offers long-term financial, operational, and organizational support. The firm helps through developing business products, go-to-market, strategic planning, recruiting, and networking with companies that make an environmental and societal positive impact. Founder Future was founded by Marc Ménasé, a serial European tech entrepreneur and investor, to guide and advise digital startups through the entrepreneurial journey. 

Via ID 

Geography: Europe
Preferred industries: mobilities
Company stage: from the seed stage 

Via ID is an accelerator and a VC arm of Mobivia, an automotive repair, accessories, and parts company. It provides long-term assistance to companies contributing to sustainable mobility and autotech sectors. Via ID has a 12-week incubator program for early-stage businesses through which one learns about the mobility market, how to build a network in this field, how to validate the value proposition and attract customers. Additionally, the team offers accelerator programs, one of which is MoveLabs. It lasts half a year, where startups get expert guidance, networking, and fundraising experience. There are two batches for this program, each May and November. 

Look Forward

Geography: global, France
Preferred industries: fashion, retail, beauty
Company stage: undisclosed

Look Forward is the incubator of a French e-commerce platform focusing on design and fashion consumption, Showroomprivé Group. Additionally, Look Forward is part of Move Forward, a cross-platform initiative of Showroomprivé Group operating in the spheres of environment, gender equality, and inclusion. Look Forward helps creative teams by providing one-year free accommodation, personalized coaching, group workshops in digital marketing, communication, logistics, UX and UI, and legal assistance. Additionally, the incubator introduces businesses to its vast ecosystem, which includes over 2500 partner brands.

The Cantillon Institute for Entrepreneurship

Geography: undisclosed
Preferred industries: unspecified
Company stage: undisclosed

Cantillon is a group of entrepreneurs aiming to support other businessmen and businesswomen through weekly feedback, guidance, and international mentorship. In addition, the team provides three months of training and help with accounting, marketing, and legal support. Also, they conduct lectures, workshops, and various business activities. Apart from assisting executives with team building, pitch crafting, idea validation, and business development, Cantillon helps incubators to build and run programs, offering help with marketing, finances, operations, and technology. 

Entrepreneur First Paris

Geography: France
Preferred industries: industry 4.0, retail, healthcare, etc.
Company stage: ideation-stage, early-stage 

Entrepreneur First is a six-month program supporting ambitious founders and tech companies globally. The initiative helps with pre-seed funding pitching and provides access to its extensive international network. Operating worldwide, Entrepreneur First works in Paris, within Station F. The program offers €2K monthly funding and £80K investment for 10% equity in case of a business launch. Additionally, the program team helps with immigration offices for international participants. 

EuraTechnologies

Geography: global
Preferred industries: DeepTech, FinTech, eCommerce, PropTech, AgTech, Robotics
Company stage: undisclosed

With four locations across France, EuraTechnologies is the country's largest incubator contributing to the development of the French tech ecosystem. The Scale acceleration, conducted by EuraTech, lasts nine months with three months of intensive work on finance, marketing, fundraising, strategy, and recruitment, and the rest is focused on mentoring and dealing with investment funds. Additionally, startups undergo a two-step selection conducted in autumn and summer and get a minimum of €200K turnover with no equity in exchange. Also, the incubator offers coworking space, digital training sessions, and various entrepreneurial programs.

Starburst

Geography: global
Preferred industries: aerospace, aviation
Company stage: stage-agnostic

Starburst is a global defense, aerospace, and aviation accelerator that operates in numerous countries, including France. It offers strategic growth, investment consulting, mentorship, and corporate and government partnerships. Sturburst's acceleration programs help build networks, gain knowledge through personalized guidance with industry experts, and develop business strategy. For participation, startups need to select a suitable program, either offline or online, fill out the application, and pitch an idea. 

Les Startups à l'Ecole

Geography: France
Preferred industries: tech, science, business, research, art, and startup creation
Company stage: undisclosed

Les Startups à l'Ecole, or The Startups at School, is a program that unites innovative startups and students through educational initiatives in various subjects. The program involves pupils or students, teachers from secondary and higher education institutions, companies willing to volunteer, and various incubators facilitating projects or training. The main idea is to create projects as part of a school curriculum that promotes curiosity and innovation, equal opportunities among students and helps define future goals. 

Startup Sesame

Geography: global
Preferred industries: unspecified
Company stage: undisclosed

Startup Sesame is a tech events acceleration program that collaborates with executives, specialists, and startups. Additionally, it offers exclusive access to its guides, newsletters, calendar, and recommendations. Startup Sesame unites scaleups, corporates, and investors through scouting, on-demand PR, and themed online and offline events. Up to now, it has been operating in 20 countries to support entrepreneurs in their endeavors.

Want to discover more accelerators and incubators from other countries? Check out the list below. 
Top Accelerators and Incubators from:

Related Posts:

Best Startup Accelerators And Incubators In Bulgaria (by Valerie Stupnikova, Vestbee)

Best Startup Accelerators And Incubators In The UK (by Dorota Potępa, Community Builder, Vestbee)

Best Startup Accelerators and Incubators In Slovenia (by Dorota Potępa, Community Builder, Vestbee)

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