Summary

Since 2020, the global market for business incubators and accelerators has been thriving, with an estimated value of $428.93 million in 2022, and projected growth at a CAGR of 6.6% towards 2029. This upward trend aligns with the increasing entrepreneurial aspirations observed in France, where 24% of the population expressed a desire to create or take over a business in early 2023. Despite the negative impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on entrepreneurial desire, with a significant drop reported between January 2020 and January 2021, the actual number of business startups hit a peak over the last decade in 2021.

Incubators and accelerators remain vital to the entrepreneurial ecosystem due to their role in nurturing startups, providing critical services such as mentorship and networking, and acting as conduits to essential resources, including funding. In France, there's a consistent demand for such support structures, as indicated by 83% of startups in 2021 feeling the need for assistance, particularly in securing mentors and developing networks. The French market is also characterized by a fragmented landscape of approximately 400 incubators and accelerators, with noteworthy players like Station F, BIC Montpellier, and NUMA contributing to a robust environment for startup growth and innovation.

The trends suggest a bright future for specialized, diversified incubators and accelerators offering tailored assistance to startups and leveraging internationalization to thrive in a competitive global market.

Entrepreneurial Aspirations and the Demand for Startup

Incubation and Acceleration in France In the vibrant entrepreneurial landscape of France, a significant portion of the population displays a robust desire to embark on the entrepreneurship journey. As seen within the recent years, this interest fluctuates notably but remains significant. Despite facing a dip during the pandemic from 29% to 21%, the entrepreneurial spirit amongst the French has rebounded strongly post-2020, with about 30% indicating their intention to start their own enterprise.

Interestingly, while the enthusiasm for entrepreneurship can vary – peaking around 2016 with about 35% to 40% expressing this interest, then declining to around 20% in 2021, the actual number of businesses launched tells a different story. The highest number of business startups occurred in 2021, a time when entrepreneurial desire was relatively low, hinting at a possible disconnect or other influencing factors at play. In 2021, a moderate group of about 5% to 10% of French individuals were certain of their future business pursuits, while a slightly larger faction ranging between 15% and 20% considered it a probability. However, the majority, which is over 50%, had no inclination toward starting their own business.

Those who did harbor entrepreneurial ambitions were likely to act on these plans in the short term, with approximately 10% to 15% of the French population, an estimated 6 to 7 million people, wanting to initiate their projects within two years. The profile of potential future entrepreneurs is diverse, with no significant gender disparity noted. However, younger demographics show a higher propensity for entrepreneurship, which declines with age. Socio-professional categories also reveal variations in entrepreneurial inclination, with senior executives exhibiting the highest desire to venture into business, followed by blue-collar and intermediate professions, while retirees and the economically inactive are less likely to pursue this route. The support ecosystem for startups in France acknowledges the need for assistance among aspiring entrepreneurs.

A study indicates that a dominant majority of about 80% to 90% of startups acknowledge the need for guidance and support. Among the assistance required, mentorship emerges as the leading demand, followed by a strong need for support from incubators and accelerators, reflecting their critical role in nurturing fledgling businesses. The evolving market of startup incubators and gas pedals is dynamic, with French incubators like BIC Montpellier making a global mark and commanding sales in the billions of euros, while American counterparts like Y Combinator also exhibit.

Leading Pioneers in the Startup Support Ecosystem

In the vibrant arena of startup incubators and accelerators, several powerhouses stand out as major contributors to the entrepreneurial ecosystem. These market players have carved out notable identities by not only propelling startups forward but also by setting benchmarks in the industry. Without focusing on their financial turnovers, here’s a spotlight on the main players shaping the contours of the startup landscape:

- **Station F**: Towering as the world's largest startup campus, Station F has become a hallmark of innovation and entrepreneurship. Nestled in the heart of Paris, this former railway depot transformed into a startup haven provides an extensive array of resources for startups to scale and succeed. Its vast network and state-of-the-art facilities make it a magnetic hub for creativity and collaboration.

  • **BIC Montpellier Incubator**: With a legacy spanning over two decades, the BIC Montpellier incubator, also known as the Montpellier Business and Innovation Centre, has risen to international acclaim. Ranked among the top global incubators, it offers a springboard for high-potential startups, particularly those venturing into the technology sector, by furnishing them with tailored support and guidance.
  • - **NUMA**: Originally recognized for its impactful acceleration programs, NUMA has made a strategic pivot to concentrate on incubation and corporate training. Its commitment to nurturing startups and fostering corporate innovation keeps it at the forefront of the French entrepreneurial scene.
  • - **104factory**: This player brings a creative twist to startup support. Combining culture with entrepreneurship, 104factory, associated with the CENTQUATRE-PARIS, provides a multidisciplinary environment where artistic and digital startups can flourish amidst a community that values both creativity and tech innovation.
  • - **1kubator**: As a network of incubators present in multiple French cities, 1kubator supports early-stage startups with a unique model that includes funding, mentoring, and a committed regional footprint. It positions itself as an accessible and comprehensive ally for nascent entrepreneurs looking to make their mark.
  • - **Y Combinator**: Hailing from the United States, this prestigious accelerator is known for having helped launch some of the world's most successful startups. Y Combinator’s powerful approach includes seed funding, intense mentorship, and the renowned 'Demo Day', which connects startups with a global network of investors.
  • - **Techstars**: Another American torchbearer, Techstars runs accelerator programs across several countries, championing the mantra “Give First." 
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Summary and extracts

1 Market summary

1.1 Definition and scope of the study

Startup incubators are organizations that support fledgling businesses by providing resources such as workspace, mentoring and sometimes funding. They aim to help entrepreneurs develop their ideas and build a solid foundation for their startup. Startup gas pedals, on the other hand, are short-term programs that accelerate the development of more established startups through intensive mentoring, initial funding and exposure to potential investors, often culminating in a pitching event.the emergence and expansion of business incubators and gas pedals over the last few decades testifies to the dynamic evolution of the global entrepreneurial landscape. Acting as springboards for startups and entrepreneurs, these structures have revolutionized the way new businesses are created, developed and brought to market.

The global market is booming, estimated at $428.93 million in 2022, and set to grow at a CAGR of 6.6% to 2029. The growing interest in incubators and gas pedals can be attributed to their role in the wider entrepreneurial ecosystem. They act not only as catalysts for the development of individual startups, but also as key contributors to the local and global economy. Indeed, many successful startups that have emerged from these programs have gone on to play a major role in innovation and job creation.

France has a strong entrepreneurial potential. Indeed, at the start of 2023, 24% of French people expressed the desire to create or take over a business. What's more, French start-ups feel the need for help, which ensures a constant demand for incubators and gas pedals. As a result, this sector promises a dynamic future.

1.2 The global market is growing

The global market for business incubators and gas pedals was estimated at $***.** million in ****, and is expected to grow at a CAGR of *.*% to ****.

Sales growth projections for the global incubator market World, **** - ****, in $ millions Source: ****

Business incubators and gas pedals have gained in popularity for several key reasons. Firstly, ...

1.3 Investments in France are growing

France is an important market for venture capital;in the first half of ****, innovative companies raised €*.* billion in *** deals.This is **% less than the previous year in terms of volume, but **% more in terms of value. In the second half of ****, total funds raised amounted to *.** billion euros, up *.*% in volume ...

2 Demand analysis

2.1 France's high entrepreneurial potential

Entrepreneurial desire negatively impacted by the crisis

Entrepreneurial desire fluctuates greatly from one year to the next, rising from **% in **** to **% in ****. What's more, the following graph shows that this indicator dropped sharply between January **** and January ****, from **% to **%. This can be explained by the pandemic that struck the planet between ...

2.2 French start-ups feel the need for help

A study carried out by La boussole and BCG revealed that, in ****, **% of start-ups felt the need to be helped/accompanied. (***). Among those who responded positively to the need for help, we find the answers listed in the graph below.

What help do you think you need as entrepreneurs? France, ****, in Source: ...

2.3 Sources of financing: focus on fundraising

Incubators (***) are primarily used to access capital and obtain financing. Below you'll find an overview of the type of funding most sought after by start-ups worldwide.

What's likely to be your next source of funding? World, ****, in Source: Silicon Valley Bank Furthermore, it is clear from the graph above that a ...

3 Market structure

3.1 Market overview

The incubator and gas pedal market in France is highly fragmented, with numerous players offering services in this field. Today, there are an estimated *** such players in France[***].

In addition, France boasts some of the world's most renowned incubators, including Montpellier's BIC incubator, which has already been in existence for ** years ...

3.2 General business model

**% of incubators and gas pedals do not ask for any quid pro quo (***), and among the remaining **%, the quid pro quo requested can vary. There are four main types of quid pro quo:

non-financial services: giving time, lending one's image, demonstrating the impact of the project ; prospect of future income; cash ...

3.3 Geographical distribution of incubators

To get an idea of the geographical distribution of incubators, we can rely on investment operations and amounts invested. The greater the number of deals, the more start-up incubators are likely to be present in the region. The following map shows the *** deals recorded in ****, resulting in a total investment of ...

4 Offer analysis

4.1 Service overview

The main differences between incubators and gas pedals and their respective advantages:

Source: ****

Overview:

The main incubator structures are as follows:

Source: ****

Incubators and gas pedals as co-working spaces:

Incubators and gas pedals offer coworking spaces in * forms: for residents and non-residents. While the first offer concerns the vast majority of ...

4.2 A comparison of offers

Source: ****

Zoom on Station F:

Station F is the world's largest incubator and was created in ****. With five years of existence, this start-up campus has greatly contributed to France's development as a start-up nation. Its ecosystem includes a wide variety of players, including over *,*** start-ups, but also BigTechs such as Facebook, ...

4.3 Tomorrow's trends and how to prosper

Tomorrow's model could be summed up in three strategies: specialization, diversification of services and internationalization.

Specialization

One way to stand out from the crowd is to specialize in a particular sector of activity, in order to provide more precise support. Specialization has the advantage of creating a stimulating competitive environment and ...

5 Rules and regulations

5. Current regulations

The big picture

France is investing heavily in its start-up ecosystem. Between mid and late ****, *** million euros have been invested with the ambition of financing promising start-up creation studios, start-up creation gas pedals and venture capital funds including an acceleration program. [***]

There are no specific regulations relating to incubators and gas ...

6 Positioning the players

6. Segmentation

List of charts

  • Wanting to start or take over a business
  • Answer to the question: would you like to start a business, take over a business or become self-employed?
  • The desire to start a business by age group
  • Entrepreneurial drive by socio-professional category (CSP)
  • Entrepreneurial drive by gender
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Latest news

BNP Paribas' transformation is driven by its own employees! - 17/09/2017
  • BNP Paribas Group has decided to develop its Business Lines
  • Creation of a Transformation Department
  • Each new member of the BNP Paribas Transformation team follows an integration program
  • The department currently comprises ten teams and several hundred people
Partech has €660 million in its pocket to support "the next generation of the Fortune 500". - 30/11/2021
  • Partech Growth II has raised $750 million to finance the second generation of its dedicated growth fund, Partech Growth II.
  • A leading French venture capitalist in the tech sector, the investment company has already carried out five transactions for amounts ranging from 20 to 70 million euros.
  • Partech's portfolio includes 200 companies from 30 countries, 12 of which are valued at over a billion dollars and therefore qualify as "unicorns": Alan, Bolt, Cazoo, Jellysmack, Made, ManoMano, People.ai, Rohlik, Sorare, Toss, Wave and Xendit.
Vivalley, the new French sportech incubator - 07/09/2023
  • There are a dozen sportech incubators in France
  • The Vivalley incubator is located in Liévin, Pas-de-Calais.
  • The building cost 8.4 million euros to construct.
  • Eurasanté has been chosen as the new operator for Vivalley and its campus.
  • Eurasanté already manages three other incubators.
  • Vivalley is already home to ten start-ups.
  • The Vivalley site is located on a 110-hectare campus.
  • The campus includes several sports facilities, including an arena and a Ligue 1 soccer club.
  • The site has a 7-hectare business park to accommodate SMEs and ETIs.
  • The incubator aims to support 40 innovative projects and create around 100 jobs through 25 companies by the end of 2025.

Companies quoted in this study

This study contains a complete overview of the companies in the market, with the latest figures and news for each company. :

Station F
NUMA
104FACTORY
1KUBATOR
3DEXPERIENCE LAB - DASSAULT SYSTÈMES
42VALLEY
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS ACCELERATOR
BUSINESS ACCELERATOR
ACCELERATOR EMLYON
ACCELAIR - AIR LIQUIDE
AGORANOV
AIRBUS BIZLAB

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