Stage 1 · Startup, innovation and deeptech
Financing the creation of an innovative startup
Before the first fundraising round: non-dilutive funding that validates the project and eases the first hires.
- 20
open schemes - 0
closed scheme (history) - 7 national
7 local or regional - 3
funding families
A startup built around a technology or an innovation has neither revenue nor collateral to offer a bank. Its first public funding therefore consists of feasibility grants, exemptions linked to research effort, and incubation programmes that provide money, support and credibility with future investors all at once.
This page is for founders of innovative projects. For a traditional business (retail, trades, services), the schemes are different: see starting a business in the SME pathway.
What gets funded at the start of a startup?
The first months of a startup are about proving that the innovation works and finds a market. Three needs dominate.
Feasibility
Technical studies, first trials, intellectual property, market research: what the French Tech Grant and regional innovation grants partly cover.
The R&D team
The first engineers and researchers come at a high cost; the young innovative company (JEI) status reduces employer social security contributions on these positions.
The working environment
Incubation, support, tools and computing capacity: regional incubation programmes and cloud credits from major providers.
What are you looking for?
Key schemes
Bpifrance's two grants and the young innovative company status form the backbone of most startup creation funding plans.
Bourse French Tech
Bpifrance
Up to €50,000
Feasibility grant: up to 70% of eligible expenses, capped at €30,000 according to the Bpifrance catalogue.
Bourse French Tech Emergence
Bpifrance
Up to €90,000
For young companies with strong growth potential: 70% of eligible expenses, capped at €90,000.
Jeune Entreprise Innovante (JEI) - Exonération des cotisations sociales patronales
URSSAF
Up to €231,840
Closes on 31 Dec 2028
Exemption from employer social security contributions on R&D positions, capped in 2026 at €240,300 per establishment and per year.
Jeune entreprise innovante (JEI) - Exonération fiscale (impôt sur les bénéfices, CFE, taxe foncière sur les propriétés bâties)
Ministère de l'Enseignement Supérieur, de la Recherche et de l'Espace, Ministère de l’Economie, des Finances et de la Souveraineté Industrielle, Energétique et Numérique
Up to €200,000
Tax component of JEI status: corporate income tax and local taxes, depending on the regime applicable in the year of incorporation.
Jeune Entreprise Innovante à Impact (JEII) - Exonération fiscale (impôt sur les bénéfices, CFE, taxe foncière sur les propriétés bâties)
Ministère de l'Enseignement Supérieur, de la Recherche et de l'Espace, Ministère de l’Economie, des Finances et de la Souveraineté Industrielle, Energétique et Numérique
"Impact" variant: local exemptions subject to a resolution by local authorities.
French Tech Grant or French Tech Emergence Grant?
Bpifrance's two grants fund the maturation and feasibility phase of an innovative project, in the form of a grant. According to the catalogue, the French Tech Grant covers up to 70% of forecast eligible expenses, capped at €30,000, and the French Tech Emergence Grant covers 70% of expenses, capped at €90,000, for young companies with strong growth potential.
They come in early, often in the first year, and act as a first signal for subsequent funders: a project already backed by Bpifrance finds it easier to access the seed loan, which requires prior innovation support.
Young innovative company (JEI) status: for whom and for what?
JEI status is aimed at young, independent SMEs that devote a significant share of their costs to research and development. It grants an exemption from employer social security contributions on the pay of R&D staff: in 2026, the pay taken into account is capped at €8,401.58 per month and per person, and the exemption is capped at €240,300 per establishment and per calendar year.
This is not a grant: the benefit depends on the eligible payroll. The rules for the tax component have changed recently, and the JEII ("impact") variant no longer grants an exemption from corporate income tax for companies created since 2024; its exemptions from the CFE (local business tax) and property tax depend on a resolution by the local council.
Incubators and regional programmes: what do they fund?
Regional and inter-municipal authorities fund incubators and acceleration programmes that combine support, hosting and, in some cases, a start-up grant. The catalogue lists 7 schemes with local or regional scope for this stage; access depends on where the startup is based and on a selection process based on the application.
Major cloud providers also offer credit programmes for startups. These are not public grants, but they reduce a significant expense item for digital projects; they are listed here on that basis.
All schemes for this stage
20 schemes open — page 1 of 2
Accélération Start-Up
Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Up to €3,000,000
Amorçage Start-up
Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Up to €3,000,000
Jeune Entreprise Innovante (JEI) - Exonération des cotisations sociales patronales
URSSAF
Up to €231,840
Closes on 31 Dec 2028
Jeune entreprise innovante (JEI) - Exonération fiscale (impôt sur les bénéfices, CFE, taxe foncière sur les propriétés bâties)
Ministère de l'Enseignement Supérieur, de la Recherche et de l'Espace, Ministère de l’Economie, des Finances et de la Souveraineté Industrielle, Energétique et Numérique
Up to €200,000
Grand Est Start-Up
Région Grand Est
Up to €150,000
Bourse French Tech Emergence
Bpifrance
Up to €90,000
Aide au développement de la start-up
Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Up to €50,000
Bourse French Tech
Bpifrance
Up to €50,000
Aide aux start-up de l’incubateur INNOGEX
CA du Pays de Gex
Up to €30,000
Aide aux start-up du nouvel incubateur du Pays de Gex dédié à l’industrie 4.0 et aux énergies renouvelables
CA du Pays de Gex
Up to €30,000
Incubateur Emergys Bretagne
Région Bretagne
Up to €25,000
Accélérateur Néo - Startups Industrielles
Bpifrance
Up to €21,328
Closed on 21 Oct 2026
Innovation Start-up
Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Investissement Start-up
Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Jeune Entreprise Innovante à Impact (JEII) - Exonération des cotisations sociales patronales
Ministère de l'Enseignement Supérieur, de la Recherche et de l'Espace, Ministère de l’Economie, des Finances et de la Souveraineté Industrielle, Energétique et Numérique
Jeune Entreprise Innovante à Impact (JEII) - Exonération fiscale (impôt sur les bénéfices, CFE, taxe foncière sur les propriétés bâties)
Ministère de l'Enseignement Supérieur, de la Recherche et de l'Espace, Ministère de l’Economie, des Finances et de la Souveraineté Industrielle, Energétique et Numérique
Normandie Incubation
Région Normandie
AWS Activate — crédits cloud AWS pour startups (jusqu'à 200 000 $)
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Schemes linked to this stage after individual review (unreviewed proposals are never shown). Scope is "national" or "local" based on the territory declared by the scheme; 6 scheme(s) with no territory on record are counted in neither.
Steps to secure funding
- 1Structure the innovation projectTechnological bottlenecks, target market, feasibility budget over 12 to 18 months.
- 2Join an incubatorSupport and network, often a prerequisite for regional funding.
- 3Apply for a French Tech GrantWith Bpifrance, through the feasibility programme.
- 4Check eligibility for JEI statusShare of R&D expenses, age, size and independence of the company.
- 5Prepare for seed fundingThe support obtained opens access to the seed loan at the first fundraising round.
Useful resources
Frequently asked questions
Can the French Tech Grant be combined with JEI status?
Yes, they do not fund the same thing: the grant subsidises a feasibility programme, while JEI status reduces contributions on R&D salaries. State aid cumulation rules apply to the total.
Does the company need to be incorporated to apply for a grant?
Bpifrance's grants are aimed at registered companies; incorporation therefore precedes the application. The exact seniority conditions are specified in the offer in force.
Is JEI status automatic?
No. The company must meet the conditions (age, size, independence, share of R&D expenses) and check them every year; a tax ruling can be used to secure the qualification.
Are cloud credits public grants?
No, they are commercial programmes run by providers. They are listed because they reduce a significant expense item for digital startups.
Are you starting a shop, a workshop or a service business? Honour loans, bank guarantees and ACRE belong to the SME pathway.
See starting a businessOfficial sources
- Bourse French Tech — Bpifrance — fiche Capital OS relue en octobre 2026 (source officielle citée)
- Jeune entreprise innovante (JEI) — Entreprendre.Service-Public.gouv.fr (F31188) — fiche Capital OS relue en octobre 2026 (source officielle citée)
- Prêt d’amorçage — Bpifrance Création — fiche Capital OS relue en octobre 2026 (source officielle citée)
Your situation is unique
Identify funding for your startup
Enter your SIRET or describe your project: the report cross-references your technological maturity, your location and your funding plan to keep only the schemes you can actually access.