Investment aid for innovative businesses: conditions and funding
Investment aid for innovative businesses is aimed at the projects described by the funder: Enable start-ups to finance their equipment investment. The operations listed notably include: development of an innovative offer or service, particularly in the sectors of excellence promoted by Le Mans Métropole: acoustics and materials; risk and insurance; mobility and energy; agriculture and agri-food; digital health. Eligible equipment investment: production machinery and equipment for modernisation, automation or robotisation. The scale and the current version of the rules should be confirmed before setting the budget or starting expenditure.
Are you preparing investment by an innovative start-up? The “Investment aid for innovative businesses” scheme aims to enable start-ups to finance their equipment investment. The first step is to confirm that your business, its activity and its location fall within the scope of the funder (CU le Mans Métropole).
Funded by Le Mans Métropole
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Who can apply
The catalogue targets the following beneficiaries: start-ups less than 5 years old; with fewer than 50 employees; of any legal form; innovative, whether technological or not; with strong growth potential; with capital mainly held by the founders. Businesses planning to locate their registered office, create an establishment or set up R&D activity are also eligible. Simple registered-address arrangements are excluded. Check the declared activity, business size, legal form and establishment address with the funder (CU le Mans Métropole) before applying.
Eligibility conditions
Conditions listed: the business must maintain its activity in the territory for at least 2 years. Have the version of the rules, the applicable thresholds, exclusions and combination rules confirmed in writing. In particular, do not commit expenditure before checking whether prior application is required.
What the scheme covers
Operations mentioned in the catalogue: development of an innovative offer or service, particularly in the sectors of excellence promoted by Le Mans Métropole: acoustics and materials; risk and insurance; mobility and energy; agriculture and agri-food; digital health. Eligible equipment investment: production machinery and equipment for modernisation, automation or robotisation. For each item, prepare a separate quote and ask the managing body to confirm whether it is eligible, how VAT is treated, ancillary costs and any exclusions (second-hand equipment, in-house works, property, leasing or expenditure already aided).
Amount and funding terms
Amount recorded in the catalogue: investment costs covered up to €30,000 excluding VAT. This scheme cannot be combined with the recruitment aid. These parameters are indicative and should be compared with the rules currently applicable, the size of the business, the expenditure base used and the combination rules. Do not build your financing plan on the indicative amount alone.
How to apply
1. Describe the project and its aim: Enable start-ups to finance their equipment investment. 2. Check that your profile matches the beneficiaries indicated: Start-ups less than 5 years old, with fewer than 50 employees, of any legal form, innovative (technological or not), with strong growth potential and capital mainly held by the founders. 3. Prepare quotes, the timetable, company documents and a financing plan. 4. Ask for written confirmation of eligible expenditure, the rate/cap and combination rules. 5. Submit the application following the funder’s procedure and wait for the required approval before starting if the rules require it.
Timeline
The catalogue shows the date 16 September 2026 without specifying whether it is a deadline; if it is, it has passed. To be confirmed before applying: opening of the scheme, deadline, date from which expenditure is accepted, completion period and payment time. A catalogue entry does not guarantee that applications are open today.
Key facts
- Funder
- Le Mans Métropole
- Type of funding
- Grant
- Status
- Ongoing
- Maximum amount
- €30,000
- Automatically extracted — check the official source
- Geographic scope
- Not specified
Frequently asked questions
Which projects may fall under “Investment aid for innovative businesses”?
Enable start-ups to finance their equipment investment.
What amount can be obtained?
Investment costs covered up to €30,000 excluding VAT. This scheme cannot be combined with the recruitment aid.
Which expenditure should be prepared?
Development of an innovative offer or service, particularly in the sectors of excellence promoted by Le Mans Métropole: acoustics and materials; risk and insurance; mobility and energy; agriculture and agri-food; digital health. Eligible equipment investment: production machinery and equipment for modernisation, automation or robotisation.
Can quotes be signed or works started before applying?
Do not assume so. Have the funder confirm the date from which expenditure is accepted and wait for prior approval where it is required.
How can I check my eligibility?
Compare the activity, business size, territory (CU le Mans Métropole), expenditure and timetable with the current rules, then ask the managing body for written confirmation.
Official source
No official URL is available in our data for this grant.
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