NovESS – social and solidarity economy (ESS) fund: strengthening equity to accelerate growth
The fund targets two profiles: innovative ESS organisations at least three years old in an acceleration phase, with prospects of positive results, and companies over six years old with a major scale-up project. Priority sectors include health and medico-social care, the energy transition, short supply chains and education.
NovESS is for social and solidarity economy (ESS) organisations that need to strengthen their balance sheet to fund a new stage of growth. It is not a grant: the fund can invest in equity or quasi-equity, using instruments suited to the organisation and the project.
Funded by Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations, Financeurs privés
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Who can apply
The fund targets associations, cooperatives, mutuals, foundations and commercial companies meeting the legal ESS criteria. It can also consider certain companies with a social purpose that do not formally declare themselves part of the ESS, subject to specific criteria.
Eligibility conditions
For the acceleration phase: an innovative ESS organisation at least three years old with prospects of positive results. For scaling up: an ESS company over six years old, with positive results and a major project. The fund selects deals case by case; the announced ticket is not an automatic right to funding.
What the scheme covers
Strengthening equity or quasi-equity to fund growth, scale-up, business development and greater social or environmental impact. Priority sectors include health, social and medico-social care, the energy transition, short supply chains and education.
Amount and funding terms
The tickets announced by the fund are €100,000 to €500,000 for ESS companies in an acceleration phase and €1 million to €5 million for organisations scaling up. These are investments, not grants: the investment can take the form of shares, associative or participating securities, participating loans or convertible bonds.
How to apply
Present the manager with a file describing the business model, accounts, funding needs, growth trajectory and expected social or environmental results. Specify the amount sought, the use of funds and the other investors approached. Check with the manager whether the fund can currently consider new applications.
Timeline
Selection is based on a review of the project and its ability to support an investment. No universal application timetable or decision time is given on the criteria page: confirm directly with the manager.
Key facts
- Funder
- Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations, Financeurs privés
- Type of funding
- Equity investment
- Status
- Ongoing
- Maximum amount
- €5,000,000
- Automatically extracted — check the official source
- Minimum amount
- €100,000
- Automatically extracted — check the official source
- Geographic scope
- All of France
Frequently asked questions
Is NovESS a grant?
No. NovESS invests in equity or quasi-equity; the deal must be structured with the manager.
How much can be sought?
The announced tickets range from €100,000 to €500,000 in the acceleration phase and from €1 million to €5 million for scaling up.
Which projects are favoured?
In particular health, social care, the energy transition, short supply chains and education.
Official source
No official URL is available in our data for this grant.
Other grants of type “equity investment”
Direct fund "Breizh Invest PME"
Bpifrance, Financeurs privés, Région Bretagne
Up to €500,000
Direct fund "Scientipôle Ile-de-France Capital"
Bpifrance, Financeurs privés, Région Ile-de-France
Up to €1,000,000
Croissance & Proximité 2: minority equity investment in SMEs
Financeurs privés, Région Normandie
Up to €800,000
Related needs and funding
Competitive calls for projects
Ecological transition and CSR
Capital and investment funds
Support and acceleration
Diagnostics and audits
Takeover and transfer
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