Financing your business with Rennes Métropole

Item

Content

Grants to transform the local economy

Rennes Métropole supports investment, job creation, and the ecological and social transitions of businesses in the area. The schemes are not interchangeable: some target B2B production or service companies, others target tourism players, shops and craftspeople, the social and solidarity economy, or sustainable local supply chains.

Scope of this guide

It presents the objectives and points of caution for the schemes, without guaranteeing that they are currently open or that an application is eligible. The official regulations, calls for projects, and timelines take precedence over the amounts summarised in the database.

Investing and creating jobs: AICE 2

The investment and job-creation grant (AICE 2) targets local B2B businesses that invest and hire as part of an ecological and social transformation approach. It takes the form of a grant subject to eco-conditionality requirements. The amount depends in particular on the size of the company, the investment, and the jobs created.

Investing in ecological and social transformation: AITES

AITES encourages companies producing goods or services, where a significant share of turnover comes from business clients, to invest in environmental and social transformations. The catalogue indicates a cap of €100,000. Additional social and ecological practices can affect the aid intensity.

Financing external expertise

The advisory grant funds expertise, studies, or training that support ecological and social transformations: responsible purchasing, energy and water, sustainable mobility, responsible digital practices, the circular economy, waste, or responsible hiring. The database indicates coverage of 50% of eligible expenses, capped at €3,000.

Social and solidarity economy: L'Écomotive

L'Écomotive supports the creation and development of social and solidarity economy (SSE) projects through an investment grant. The criteria highlighted by the Métropole include a viable business model, being based in the area, and investments and job creation within two years. The 2026 timeline and regulations must be checked before applying.

Shops and craftspeople: Pass Commerce et Artisanat

In partnership with the Région Bretagne, the Pass Commerce et Artisanat supports investments by independent small retail or craft businesses in municipalities with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants within the metropolitan area, and in certain priority neighbourhoods of Rennes. Eligible expenses can include renovation work, equipment, digital tools, and investments that reduce environmental impact.

Tourism: renovation, decarbonisation and certification

Two fact sheets in the catalogue target tourist accommodation: modernisation/decarbonisation of accommodation, and certification. Grants can support investments or certification expenses, but the conditions on classification, registration, location, environmental commitment, and timeline are specific to each call.

Circular economy and sustainable supply chains

The Solutions circulaires call for projects targets projects that are strongly rooted in the local area and economically viable. The Terres de Sources repayable advance supports the structuring of local, sustainable supply chains and their market outlets. These tools follow different logics: a grant for circular projects on one hand, a repayable advance on the other.

How do I identify the right scheme

1. Define the project, the investments, the ecological/social impacts, and the planned jobs. 2. Check the location and the share of B2B turnover if required by the scheme. 3. Distinguish an investment grant from an advisory grant or a call for projects. 4. Check the municipality and neighbourhood for Pass Commerce. 5. For tourism, check the classification and status. 6. Request written confirmation of eligible expenses and the timeline before committing to any costs.

Combining aid and timeline

The combination rules, public-aid caps, and filing dates are specific to each scheme. An institutional page describing a programme does not guarantee that an application channel is accepting applications at the time of viewing. Repayable advances must be distinguished from grants, and honour loans from non-repayable aid.

Can a B2C business apply for AICE 2 or AITES?

The official fact sheets target B2B production or service companies with a significant share of turnover from business clients. A predominantly B2C business should check its eligibility and consider other schemes, particularly trade grants, if it fits within the scope.

Is the Pass Commerce et Artisanat available throughout the metropolitan area?

No. The scheme targets municipalities with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants within Rennes Métropole and the priority urban policy neighbourhoods of Rennes, subject to the applicable regulations. The precise location of the business is decisive.

Do the amounts shown guarantee a grant?

No. The amounts are reference caps or rates, subject to review, criteria, and available funding. For calls for projects, the timeline and regulations of the current round must be checked.

Checking which grants suit my business

Capital OS helps identify schemes based on the territory, sector, investments, and needs. Before finalising a financing plan, confirm availability, the criteria, the combination rules, and eligible expenses with Rennes Métropole or the scheme's operator.

Verification status

Partial check: nine grants from the master list documented and cross-checked against the official Rennes Métropole / Rennes demain pages. The institutional page confirms the main areas of AICE 2, AITES, the advisory grant, Écomotive, and Pass Commerce. The tourism/circular calls for projects and the Terres de Sources advance must be checked for their current timeline; some caps in the database must be matched against the regulations in force.

Official sources

• Rennes Métropole supports businesses' transitions — Rennes Métropole
• Investment and job-creation grant (AICE 2) — Rennes demain / Rennes Métropole
• R&D support — Rennes demain / Rennes Métropole
• Creating and growing your business in Rennes: where to find funding? — Rennes demain
• Support for local stakeholders — 2026 budget — Rennes Métropole