Rennes Métropole

Grants to transform the local economy

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

Scope of this guide

This guide presents the objectives and points of attention for each scheme, without guaranteeing that it is currently open or that a given application is eligible. Official regulations, calls for projects and timetables take precedence over the amounts summarised in this directory.

Investing and creating jobs: AICE 2

The investment and job-creation grant (AICE 2) is aimed at local B2B companies that invest and recruit 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 goods- or service-producing companies, for which a significant share of turnover comes from professional clients, to invest in environmental and social transformation. The directory indicates a cap of €100,000. Additional social and ecological practices may increase the grant rate.

Financing external expertise

The consulting grant finances expert assessments, studies or training that support ecological and social transformation: responsible purchasing, energy and water, sustainable mobility, responsible digital technology, circular economy, waste, or responsible recruitment. The directory 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, establishment within the area, and investments and job creation within two years. The 2026 timetable and the regulations should be consulted before applying.

Retailers and craftspeople: Pass Commerce et Artisanat

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

Tourism: renovation, decarbonisation and certification

Two entries in the directory target tourist accommodation: modernisation/decarbonisation of accommodation and certification. These grants can support investments or certification costs, but the conditions on classification, registration, location, environmental commitments and timetable 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.

Repayable advance for structuring local, sustainable supply chains

The directory indicates a repayable advance capped at €60,000, set as a flat amount depending on the supply-chain structuring project. Beneficiaries may include processing companies, associations or groups developing Terres de Sources on the value-creation and market-outlet components. Confirm the call, the criteria and the repayment terms.

Consulting grant to support ecological and social transformation

Grant indicated at 50% of eligible expenses, capped at €3,000. According to the directory, the audit, study or training project must directly concern the company's establishment within the area. Check the eligible services, the status of the organisation and any exclusions.

Investment grant for ecological and social transformation (AITES)

Grant capped at €100,000, for B2B companies meeting the scheme's criteria. The regulations may increase the grant rate when the company takes on additional commitments regarding work organisation, working conditions, the environment or responsible practices. Confirm the eligible base, the criteria and the current rates.

Investment and job-creation grant (AICE 2)

Grant for production or service companies with a professional client base that invest and create jobs as part of an ecological and social transformation approach. The amount depends on the company's size, expenses and job creation. The scheme is subject to eco-conditionality requirements; the complete terms must be confirmed with the processing department.

Grant for modernising and decarbonising tourist accommodation

The directory indicates a grant of 20% of eligible investments, calculated up to a limit of €250,000 excl. VAT, i.e. up to €50,000. The target group includes classified tourist accommodation or accommodation committing to become classified, with registration and status conditions to be checked. Confirm the call period and the eligible works.

Call for projects "Certification of tourist accommodation"

The directory indicates up to 70% of eligible expenses, capped at €2,000 per project, for commercial tourist accommodation located within the metropolitan area. Check the recognised certifications, the type of eligible expenses, the application timetable and the regulations for the current round.

Call for projects "Solutions circulaires"

The directory indicates a grant that may range between €10,000 and €30,000. Projects must be strongly rooted in the local area and demonstrate economic viability. The amount and type of support depend on the call concerned; confirm the open round and the detailed criteria.

Pass Commerce et Artisanat

The directory indicates a grant of 30% of eligible investments, with an eligible base capped at €25,000 excl. VAT, i.e. up to €7,500. The official page describes a joint scheme with the Région Bretagne and a restricted geographical scope. The maximum amount may vary between versions of the regulations: check the version currently in force.

Initiative Rennes honor loan

An interest-free, unsecured personal loan, generally between €5,000 and €30,000 according to the directory, repayable over three to five years. It is generally combined with a bank loan and support/mentoring. It is not a grant automatically awarded by Rennes Métropole: the decision rests with the Initiative Rennes operator.

How to identify the right scheme

1. Define the project, the investments, the expected ecological/social impacts and the planned jobs. 2. Check the location and the share of B2B turnover if the scheme requires it. 3. Distinguish an investment grant from a consulting grant or a call for projects. 4. Check the municipality and neighbourhood for the Pass Commerce. 5. For tourism, check the classification and status. 6. Ask for written confirmation of eligible expenses and the timetable before incurring any costs.

Combining aid and timetable

The rules on combining aid, public aid caps and application deadlines are specific to each scheme. An institutional page describing a programme does not guarantee that applications are being accepted at the time of viewing. Repayable advances must be distinguished from grants, and honor loans from non-repayable aid.

Can a B2C company apply for AICE 2 or AITES?

The official information sheets target B2B production or service companies, with a significant share of turnover coming from professional clients. A company that is primarily B2C should check its eligibility and consider other schemes, particularly retail support schemes if it fits 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 a determining factor.

Do the published amounts guarantee a grant?

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

Check which grants suit your company

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

Review status

Partial review: nine grants from the master list documented and cross-checked against the official Rennes Métropole / Rennes demain pages. The institutional page confirms the main focus areas AICE 2, AITES, consulting grant, Écomotive and Pass Commerce. The tourism/circular economy calls for projects and the Terres de Sources advance must be checked for their current timetable; some caps in the directory need to be reconciled with the regulations in force.