Financing your business with Métropole Européenne de Lille (MEL)

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MEL's role

The Métropole Européenne de Lille supports businesses in their relocation, creation, development, innovation and recovery projects. Depending on the scheme, support can take the form of a repayable advance, a grant, a loan or, in some cases, an equity intervention or equity stake. Applications undergo a project review; funding is not automatic.

Who is this guide for?

This guide covers the 10 grants linked to MEL (funder ID 846) in the Capital OS reference database. The master conditions are a working basis: the scheme's official page, the applicable regulations and confirmation from the operator always take precedence. Some honor loans are implemented by partners, not directly by MEL's own departments.

Financing an industrial or production project

The industrial seed-funding and development schemes target significant productive investments and can cover equipment, the fit-out works needed to install it, and certain intangible investments. The MEL website announces up to €200,000 for seed funding for micro-businesses and up to €250,000 for the development of industrial SMEs; these published caps are subject to the scheme's criteria and to the review of the application.

Renovating a building or investing in renewable heat

The sustainable building grant covers renovation works and environmental or energy performance improvements, with a prior assessment and quotes required. The territorial Renewable Heat Contract (Contrat de Chaleur Renouvelable) covers renewable heat projects. Rates depend on the expenses, the scale and how it combines with ADEME schemes; eligible items should be confirmed before ordering the works.

Relocation, innovation and consolidation

MEL also offers solutions for job-creating relocation projects, innovation projects, and businesses that need to implement a turnaround plan. Financial consolidation requires a credible project and co-financing from the banking pool, shareholders or investors, depending on the applicable rules. Contact the economic development department to check which scheme applies.

Steps to prepare an application

1. Precisely define the project, the investments, the timeline and the associated jobs. 2. Check that the business and its establishment fall within the scheme's territorial scope. 3. Contact MEL (serveco@lillemetropole.fr) or the indicated operator to confirm eligibility. 4. Prepare the quotes, the financing plan, the accounts, the forecasts and the technical file. 5. Submit the application before incurring expenses when the regulations require it. 6. Check the combination rules with other grants and the monitoring requirements.

Documents and criteria to check

The required documents vary by scheme, but may include: a registration extract, annual accounts, tax and social security status, a business plan, quotes, a multi-year investment program, a hiring schedule, an energy or environmental assessment, proof of co-financing and a cash flow plan. Do not consider this list exhaustive: request the applicable official application file.

Does MEL fund every business that submits an application?

No. Grants are conditional and projects are reviewed according to the scheme's economic, financial, strategic, social and environmental criteria. Submitting an application does not guarantee a favorable decision.

Is a repayable advance a grant?

No. A repayable advance must be repaid according to the agreed terms. It can improve the financing plan, but its repayment schedule and any suspensive conditions must be factored into cash flow.

Can several grants be combined?

This depends on the regulations, the funded expenses, public aid caps and the combination rules. Have the structure confirmed by the funders before making any commitment.

Who should I contact to check my eligibility?

MEL's business contact is serveco@lillemetropole.fr. For the HODEFI loan or the Initiative loan, also contact the relevant operator to check its scope and review process.

Check my eligibility for grants

Capital OS helps identify schemes worth examining and structure the initial checks. The final decision depends on the criteria and regulations in force, the relevant operator and the review of each application.

Review status

Partial to good-level review: the 10 lines in the master file have been identified and several main schemes are confirmed on MEL's official pages.

Official sources

• Growing your business — Métropole Européenne de Lille
• Relocation grant — MEL — business site
• Large business development grant — MEL — business site
• Industrial micro-business/SME development grant — MEL — business site
• Industrial micro-business seed funding grant — MEL — business site
• Financial consolidation grant (COFI) — MEL — business site
• Financing your business development — service offer — MEL — business site
• Integrated Territorial Investment 2021–2027 — Métropole Européenne de Lille / FEDER
• HODEFI honor loan — HODEFI
• Initiative Flandre Intérieure honor loan — Initiative Flandre Intérieure