Top 10 Government Grants for Startups in France in 2025
France is a thriving hub for innovation, offering a wide range of government grants to support startups.
These grants are designed to foster innovation, sustainability, and economic growth without requiring founders to give up equity.
Below is a detailed guide to the top 10 government grants available in 2025, including eligibility criteria, funding amounts, and application deadlines.
These grants are designed to foster innovation, sustainability, and economic growth without requiring founders to give up equity.
Below is a detailed guide to the top 10 government grants available in 2025, including eligibility criteria, funding amounts, and application deadlines.
1. French Tech Grant
- Funding Amount: Up to €30,000 equity-free funding, covering up to 70% of startup costs.
- Eligibility: Startups incorporated within the last year, with fewer than 50 employees and a balance sheet under €10 million.
- Benefits: Supports early-stage startups, including sole proprietorships and entrepreneurs in accelerators or incubators.
- Application Deadline: Rolling basis.
- Official Website: French Tech Grant
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2. French Tech Emergence Grant
- Funding Amount: Up to €90,000 equity-free funding for deep tech startups.
- Eligibility: Deep tech startups incorporated within the last year, with fewer than 50 employees and a balance sheet under €10 million.
- Benefits: Focuses on high-potential deep tech projects.
- Application Deadline: Rolling basis.
- Official Website: French Tech Emergence Grant
3. French Tech Seed Fund
- Funding Amount: €50,000 to €500,000 in convertible notes (7% interest p.a.).
- Eligibility: Startups incorporated within the last 3 years, with fewer than 50 employees, and having raised at least one equity round.
- Benefits: Co-invests with other investors in tech-enabled businesses.
- Application Deadline: Rolling basis.
- Official Website: French Tech Seed Fund
4. Aide Au Développement Deeptech (ADD)
- Funding Amount: Up to €2 million per project, with a mix of grants and repayable subsidies.
- Eligibility: Deep tech startups with fewer than 2,000 employees.
- Benefits: Supports personnel costs, IP expenses, overheads, and Capex for deep tech projects.
- Application Deadline: Rolling basis.
- Official Website: Aide Au Développement Deeptech
5. Crédit d’Impôt Recherche (R&D Tax Credit)
- Funding Amount: Up to 30% of claimed R&D costs as a tax credit.
- Eligibility: Businesses of all sizes investing in R&D, regardless of profitability.
- Benefits: Encourages innovation by reducing corporate tax liability.
- Application Deadline: Rolling basis.
- Official Website: Crédit d’Impôt Recherche
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6. i-Lab Competition
- Funding Amount: €600,000 equity-free grant for projects costing up to €1 million.
- Eligibility: Startups incorporated less than 2 years ago with a proof of concept.
- Benefits: Funds technology projects with high innovation potential.
- Application Deadline: Rolling basis.
- Official Website: i-Lab Competition
7. i-Nov Competition
- Funding Amount: €200,000 to €2.25 million, covering 35-45% of project costs.
- Eligibility: SMEs with projects costing between €600,000 and €5 million, lasting 12-36 months.
- Benefits: Supports deep tech, health tech, and other high-impact industries.
- Application Deadline: Rolling basis.
- Official Website: i-Nov Competition
8. French Tech 2030
- Funding Amount: Varies by project, focusing on societal challenges.
- Eligibility: Startups addressing major societal challenges like climate change, health, and digital transformation.
- Benefits: Provides funding and support for high-impact innovations.
- Application Deadline: Rolling basis.
- Official Website: French Tech 2030
9. Start in France Program
- Funding Amount: Non-financial support, including training and immersion in French innovation ecosystems.
- Eligibility: Researchers and entrepreneurs with deep tech projects, residing in the USA.
- Benefits: Offers access to French innovation ecosystems and networking opportunities.
- Application Deadline: March 28, 2025.
- Official Website: Start in France Program
10. French Tech Community Fund
- Funding Amount: €1.5 million for initiatives led by French Tech Communities.
- Eligibility: French Tech Communities in France and abroad.
- Benefits: Supports projects promoting diversity, ecological transition, and market access for startups.
- Application Deadline: Rolling basis.
- Official Website: French Tech Community Fund
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Conclusion
France’s government grants for startups in 2025 provide a robust framework for innovation and growth.
From equity-free funding to tax incentives, these programs cater to a wide range of industries and project sizes.
Startups are encouraged to explore these opportunities to accelerate their growth and contribute to France’s thriving innovation ecosystem.
From equity-free funding to tax incentives, these programs cater to a wide range of industries and project sizes.
Startups are encouraged to explore these opportunities to accelerate their growth and contribute to France’s thriving innovation ecosystem.
