Get your start up incubated in France with help from the French Government

What's the better way to success? Be a part of a group or go alone at it? For some entrepreneurs in the tech space, being a piece of something bigger has helped them get their businesses off the ground more rapidly and easily. Eventually, a incubator can be the ideal bridge to make the huge stride from idea to execution. Not many get to be a part of something big (or make something big out of themselves). They say Entrepreneurship cannot be taught it can only be learned through experience and expertise, true that, and if you’re getting an opportunity to make something big out of your company in an European environment (where startups give birth to game changing products and services) and that too paid, what else would you need?

Yes, the French government is inviting startups from all over the world. Last year, they kickstarted French Tech Ticket, an incubation program where startups from all over the world got the opportunity to learn and understand the ‘ti and taas’ of growing startups. After completing one successful year, French Tech Ticket season 2 is here.

Talking to Sylvain BIARD, head of Tech & Services Department for South Asia (French Trade & Investment Commission BUSINESS FRANCE), he said, “It’s been 4 years in India, India is very vibrant when we talk about the startup ecosystem. There have been investments and I think the fintech section is growing rapidly in the country.” He further quoted, “With over 5000 startups and growing day by day, India has made its mark on the global map of startup ecosystem. India being one of the important trade partners, France is keen to leverage the same relation and firm up entrepreneurial ecosystem in France by hosting Indian startups.”

What is it all about?

70 international startups will be selected for the program and will join 41 of the incubators (who are in partnership with the French government) in France and will be incubated for a 12 month period from January 2017. Startups will be placed in incubators specialising in a specific sector (there are different incubators for different startup sectors).

How do I enroll in the program?

One can simply fill in the details here.

Program Benefits

• Funding: The program will provide €45,000 (~Rs 30 lakhs) per team over the course of a year, with no loss of equity (€20k to cover personal costs and €25k to cover professional services)

• Resident Permit: Being an initiative by the French government all the members of the startups will be provided fast-track procedure to obtain a French residence permit.

• Acceleration Program: Startups will be provided with tailored program of events to support startup’s growth, Masterclasses, Networking events, Mentoring sessions, and 2 Demodays with investors and corporate executives.

• The Landing Pack: “Welcome Guide” and special offers from partners to help startups relocate easily to France!

Indian Startups from last year

“Last year we had selected 23 projects, two Indian startups were selected and are currently being incubated in France,” said Sylvain.

• Guesswork: Guesswork is a product recommendation engine. They recommend products for new users in e-commerce sites. Some of the world's largest e-commerce companies like Zalora, Linio, Mahindra Babyoye are their customers.

• Dymond Cleantech: Dymond Cleantech provides clean water using diamonds. The patented technology uses diamond electrodes to incinerate toxic organic contaminants and pathogens in water, providing safe drinking water.

Eligibility

Go through the checklist before applying:

Founding team of 2-3 members (Can include a maximum of one French citizen)
The entire program will be based in English, so it’s necessary for startups to know the language.
Startups must be in the creation or growth phase.
Consulting firms and import-export businesses are not eligible to the French Tech Ticket.
Founders must be ready to live in France for a year and devote 100% of their time to their project.