Government Grants and Subsidies
Beyond Bpifrance, numerous grant programs support specific sectors and objectives:
Regional Grants
Each French region offers specific programs:
Île-de-France (Paris Region): - PM'up: Up to €250K for SME growth projects - TP'up: Up to €55K for very small enterprises - Innov'up: Up to €500K for innovation projects
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (Lyon Region): - AURA Entreprise: Startup support programs - Pack Ambition: Growth acceleration funding - Innovation grants: Sector-specific programs
Best Practices for Regional Grants: - Align with regional priorities - Engage local ecosystem players - Consider relocating for specific advantages - Combine with national programs
Sector-Specific Programs
#### Deep Tech - i-Lab: National deep tech competition (up to €600K) - PSPC: Collaborative R&D projects (€1M+) - Deep Tech funds: Specialized investment vehicles
#### GreenTech - ADEME grants: Environmental innovation funding - Green Tech Innovation: Acceleration program - Energy transition funds: Various programs
#### HealthTech - ANR funding: Research-oriented grants - Health Data Hub: Data access and funding - BPI Health sector funds: Specialized programs
European Funding Opportunities
From France, you have access to substantial EU funding:
#### Horizon Europe - EIC Accelerator: Up to €2.5M grant + €15M equity - EIC Pathfinder: €3-4M for breakthrough tech - Collaborative projects: Various thematic calls
#### European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) - Regional innovation projects - Cross-border collaborations - Infrastructure development
#### European Investment Bank (EIB) - Innovation loans - Venture debt facilities - Growth financing
Grant Application Best Practices
1. Start Early - Applications take 3-6 months - Multiple rounds often needed - Building relationships crucial
2. Nail the Innovation Story - Clear technical differentiation - Measurable impact - State-of-the-art analysis
3. Build Consortiums - Academic partnerships valued - Industrial validation helpful - European collaborations for EU funds
4. Professional Help - Grant writing consultants ROI positive - 10-20% success fees common - Technical expertise crucial