Le Mans Métropole

An economic scheme structured around the CL2I

Le Mans Métropole rolls out grants to encourage the setting-up of productive activities, job creation, the energy transition and the development of innovative startups. The Local Investment and Innovation Contract (CL2I), set up for three years, brings together several support components. The rules differ depending on the size of the business, the project, the location and whether the activity is innovative or productive in nature.

Who is it for?

Some forms of support target new setting-up projects within the territory; others concern innovative businesses, real estate, hiring or energy renovation.

The CL2I: the reference framework

In December 2025, the community council adopted the partnership with the Pays de la Loire Region to roll out the CL2I. It notably includes grants for real estate, investment by small, medium-sized and mid-sized businesses, energy renovation and recruitment, as well as grants dedicated to startups. The scheme is announced for three years; this does not guarantee that every window is open continuously or that funds remain available.

Productive investment and setting up

The investment grant for small, medium-sized and mid-sized businesses targets the setting-up of a new activity within the territory, with the establishment of a registered office or a site and job creation from the outset. The official reference framework states a grant of 30% to 60% of eligible expenditure, capped at €100,000, depending on the size of the business and the rules. The expenditure cited includes production machinery and equipment for modernisation, automation or robotisation.

Business real estate

The real estate grant targets small and medium-sized businesses that are mainly productive or provide business services. The catalogue provides for a possible combination of a grant and a preferential-rate loan, with separate caps. The rules applicable to acquisition, construction, extension or fit-out must be confirmed in the rules and with the processing department.

Recruitment and job creation

The recruitment grant for small, medium-sized and mid-sized businesses provides, in the reference framework, €3,000 per permanent (CDI) job created, up to €100,000 per business, for projects meeting the activity and hiring-volume criteria. Recruitment grants for innovative startups follow a separate framework and should not be confused with this general scheme.

Energy renovation

The scheme for small and medium-sized businesses supports energy renovation work, energy efficiency, renewable energy or heat recovery. The catalogue states a grant of up to €100,000 excl. tax or a preferential-rate loan of up to €150,000 excl. tax depending on the size of the business and the investments. The energy classification of the project and the eligible expenditure are decisive factors.

Innovative startups: investment, recruitment, rent

Several grants target innovative businesses less than five years old with fewer than 50 employees, showing growth potential and capital held mainly by the founders. They can cover equipment investment, the recruitment of a key position, or rent in certain buildings within the territory. According to the reference fact sheets, the startup investment and recruitment grants cannot be combined.

Recruitment grant for small, medium-sized and mid-sized businesses

The reference framework states €3,000 per permanent (CDI) job, up to €100,000 per business. The target is a business with up to 2,000 employees whose activity is mainly productive or provides business services. Check the minimum hiring threshold, the timeline, the positions and the location conditions in the current rules.

Recruitment grant for innovative businesses

A grant dedicated to startups meeting the age, headcount, innovation and growth-potential criteria. The catalogue cap is €30,000. The scheme cannot be combined with the investment grant for innovative businesses; confirm the eligible positions, the hiring dates and the definition of an innovative business.

Rent grant for innovative businesses

The reference framework provides for up to six months' rent excl. tax and charges, up to €5,000 per business, for an innovative startup less than five years old with fewer than 50 employees, in certain identified buildings. The eligibility of the premises and the rental period must be confirmed before signing.

Real estate grant for small and medium-sized businesses

The reference framework describes a grant of up to 60% of eligible expenditure, capped at €120,000 excl. tax, and a preferential-rate loan covering up to 40% of expenditure, capped at €250,000 excl. tax. Property companies may be eligible subject to ownership and use conditions. Confirm the exact investments and terms.

Investment grant for small, medium-sized and mid-sized businesses

For setting-up projects that create jobs, the catalogue states 60% of eligible expenditure for small businesses and 30% for medium-sized businesses and mid-sized companies, subject to the conditions and caps in the rules. Projects must involve a productive activity or business services and a high-value-added investment.

Investment grant for innovative businesses

A grant of up to €30,000 excl. tax for equipment investment by innovative startups less than five years old, with fewer than 50 employees and strong growth potential. The scheme cannot be combined with the recruitment grant for innovative businesses. Check the exact expenditure base and the prior decision requirement.

Energy renovation grant for small and medium-sized businesses

The reference framework provides for a grant capped at €100,000 excl. tax or a preferential-rate loan of up to €150,000 excl. tax depending on the size of the business and the nature of the investments. Projects must relate to energy efficiency, renewable energy or heat recovery under the rules in force.

"Plus" call for projects for innovative businesses

An integrated pathway for innovative startups, announced as limited to ten supported businesses per year. The catalogue notably cites a rent grant, a grant for recruiting a key position, and an equipment investment grant. The application, timeline and annual availability must be checked: do not assume the call is open at the time of reading.

Initiative Sarthe honour loan

A personal loan with no interest or guarantee, generally between €5,000 and €30,000 in the reference framework, repayable over three to five years. It comes with support and generally a bank loan. The application is handled by the Initiative Sarthe operator and is not a grant automatically awarded by the Métropole.

How to prepare the application

1. Describe the project, the investments, the timeline and the jobs created. 2. Check the business's location, size and sector. 3. Distinguish setting-up schemes from grants for businesses already present and from grants dedicated to startups. 4. Have the expenditure and expenditure base validated before any commitment. 5. Prepare the quotes, financing plan, projected accounts, headcount details, hiring timeline and property or energy-related supporting documents depending on the project.

Combination, start of expenditure and funds

The CL2I has several components, but not all grants can be combined. The startup fact sheet notably states that the investment grant and the recruitment grant cannot be combined. The European State aid rules, the intervention caps and the available budget must be checked. Do not treat a published fact sheet as automatic confirmation of availability.

Can a business already established in Le Mans apply for the investment grant?

The investment grant for small, medium-sized and mid-sized businesses presented in the reference framework targets a project to set up a new activity, with a registered office or establishment within the territory and job creation from the outset. Local businesses may be eligible for other grants, notably regional ones, or for different components of the CL2I.

Can startups combine all the grants?

No. The fact sheets state at least one incompatibility between the investment grant for innovative businesses and the recruitment grant for innovative businesses. The incompatibility rules for each component must be checked before building the financing plan.

Is the honour loan a grant?

No. The Initiative Sarthe honour loan is a personal loan with no interest or guarantee, awarded after assessment and with support. It must be repaid and generally forms part of overall bank financing.

Check the grants suited to your project

Capital OS can help identify the relevant schemes based on the SIRET, the activity, the location and the planned expenditure. Before budgeting for a grant, confirm the criteria, dates, available funds and rules with Le Mans Métropole or the operator indicated.

Verification status

Partial check: the nine lines in the catalogue are included and cross-checked against the grant fact sheets updated in 2026, the 2026 metropolitan budget and the December 2025 CL2I resolution. Confirm the detailed rules, application periods and available funds for each scheme before presenting it as open.