With the seventh-largest economy in the world and the second-largest in the European Union, France has emerged as a vibrant hub for startups over the last few decades. Blending its rich cultural heritage with cutting-edge innovation, the country has transformed into a dynamic environment for budding entrepreneurs.
And it’s no coincidence – the combination of government initiatives like La French Tech and a growing appetite for venture capital investment helped push France to the position it’s in today, with a thriving startup ecosystem that nurtures ambitious founders, fosters groundbreaking ideas and attracts talent from across the globe.
Of course, no successful startup achieves long-term and tangible success without the existence of incubators and accelerator programmes. Designed to support startups in their critical early stages, these organisations provide critical resources to young entrepreneurs and new business ventures.
By means of business-specific resources, mentorship programmes, networking opportunities and funding options, accelerators and incubators in France have helped the country’s startups grow and improve, making the country a global startup leader.
Top Incubators and Accelerators in France
The history of incubators and accelerators in France began in the late 1990s, with the establishment of the country’s first incubator, Paris Biotech Santé. Aimed at supporting biotech and life sciences startups, Paris Biotech Santé was followed by the launch of other accelerators like Numa in 2000, which pioneered mentorship-driven programmes in Paris.
Initially focused on very niche sectors, these initiatives have evolved significantly over time. Today, they’ve grown to cater to diverse industries, from fintech to green tech, reflecting the broader dynamism of France’s startup ecosystem.
The rise of digital transformation and initiatives like La French Tech have further expanded their reach, fostering innovation all around the country.
Here are some of France’s top incubators and accelerators that are contributing to nurturing and growing the country’s startup ecosystem and economy more generally.
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Entrepreneur First
Entrepreneur First was founded in 2011 by Matt Clifford and Alice Bentinck in London, ultimately expanding to Paris in 2018.
As a global talent investor, Entrepreneur First (EF) helps ambitious individuals build high-growth startups from scratch. Unlike more traditional incubators, EF focuses more on connecting talented individuals without pre-existing teams or even ideas. Rather, it encourages them to form co-founder relations and create groundbreaking businesses from there.
The organisation’s focus is broad, working with startups in fields like biotech and deep tech as well as artificial intelligence.
Station F
Located in the very heart of Paris, Station F is home to one of the world’s largest startup campuses. Launched in 2017 by Xavier Niel, the campus spans 34,000 square metres and plays host to more than 1,000 different startups.
The organisation offers a plethora of different programmes, including its very own Founder’s Programme as well as opportunities for partnerships with major global companies.
The aim of the campus itself is to provide small startups with mentorship, office space, funding and networking opportunities. It supports diverse industries and is known in particular for its vibrant community that brings together investors, international entrepreneurs and innovators.
Plug and Play
Plug and Ply was initially founded in Silicon Valley in 2006 before expanding to Paris a decade later in 2016. Known in particular for connecting large corporations with small startups, Plug and Play offers companies accelerator programmes that are specifically tailored to health tech, fintech and sustainability.
Collaborating with key French corporations with the aim of fostering innovation, Plug and Play provides funding opportunities, mentorship and business partnerships, all of which have a strong focus on helping startups scale and facilitating collaborative efforts.
1Kubator
1Kubator is one of France’s leading incubators, offering a unique 10-month programme to support startups through core processes, including funding, mentoring and finding office space, among other things.
The organisation has a particular focus on digital and innovative projects, helping entrepreneurs develop Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) and validate their ideas in the market.
1Kubator has locations all over France – including Bordeaux, Lille and Nantes – and it supports regional innovation while fostering strong international and national networks. This strong hands-on approach makes it ideal for early-stage startups looking for guidance and opportunities for growth.
Scale by EuraTech
Scale by EuraTech is an accelerator based in Lille, part of the renowned EuraTechnologies ecosystem, one of Europe’s largest startup incubators.
Established in 2009, EuraTechnologies launched the Scale programme to help growth-stage startups expand their operations and scale internationally. It specialises in tech-driven industries including AI, cybersecurity and Industry 4.0.
The programme provides tailored mentorship, funding support and access to EuraTechnologies’ extensive network of corporate partners, investors and global hubs. Today, the organisation is recognised for its emphasis on innovation and sustainable growth strategies.
Schoolab
Schoolab was founded in Paris in 2005 and is an innovation studio that combines startup acceleration with educational programmes and corporate innovation.
The organisation offers a collaborative environment in which startups, students and companies cn come together to develop entrepreneurial projects. Schoolab supports companies across a diverse range of industries, with a specific focus on social innovation and tech-enabled solutions.
The programmes include funding, mentorship and co-working spaces, all of which contribute to efforts to achieve a community atmosphere and approach to entrepreneurship.
Today, Schoolab has additional locations in San Francisco and Ho Chi Minh City, helping participating startups get involved in international markets and offering them unique global perspectives nd potential partnerships.
ViaID
Via ID is a startup accelerator and investment fund based in Lille that was launched in 2010. Focusing on sustainable mobility and smart city solutions, Via ID is a subsidiary of the Mobivia Group, supporting startups that aim to deal with transportation challenges.
The organisation offers funding, strategic partnerships and access to an extensive network of experts in mobility. Its portfolio includes notable ventures and programmes tailored to suit both early-stage and scaling startups.
Les Maison Des
Launched in 2018 by luxury giant LVMH, La Maison des Startups is based at Station F in Paris. This accelerator focuses on innovation within the luxury industry, supporting startups in areas like customer experience, sustainability and supply chain innovation.
Startups benefit from LVMH’s extensive resources, mentorship from industry leaders and opportunities to collaborate with its 75 prestigious brands, including Louis Vuitton and Moët & Chandon. With its emphasis on creativity and excellence, La Maison des Startups is a unique platform for entrepreneurs looking to disrupt the luxury sector.
