Receiving support

Starting Your Own Business

Entrepreneurs dans la Ville supports project leaders and entrepreneurs from the initial idea through to the development of their business.


Through personalized support that combines training, mentoring, and networking, everyone can test their project, structure their business, and move through the various stages of its development.

Home » Starting a Business

The " entrepreneurs dans la ville " Program by the Numbers

1 574

entrepreneurs we have supported since 2007

920

companies founded by entrepreneurs receiving support

91%

of companies still in business three years after their founding— compared with 77% in priority neighborhoods in France

4 Support Programs

A path tailored to every stage of your entrepreneurial journey

1. Starter – 6 months

From an idea to a structured project.

Test your idea, develop your entrepreneurial skills, build your business model, and prepare to launch your business.

2. Incubation – 12 months

Start and grow your business.

Take advantage of workshops, one-on-one sessions, mentoring, and networking opportunities to launch your business, build a solid foundation for your company, and accelerate your business growth.

3. Accelerator – 12 months

Scale it up.

Take a step back to assess your strategy, structure your growth, and draw on mentors, experts, and a network of executives to accelerate your company’s development.

4. Alumni Community

A network that lasts.

Join a network of dedicated entrepreneurs who continue to connect, share their experiences, and pursue new opportunities after completing the “ Entrepreneurs dans la Ville ” program.

Note-Taking for Entrepreneurs

5 Good Reasons to Join entrepreneurs dans la ville

  • 2: A PATH TAILORED TO YOUR PROJECT – from the initial idea to the growth of your business, we provide support tailored to the stage of your project.
  • 3: COWORKING SPACES AVAILABLE – Get free access to spaces where you can work, network, and move your project forward.
  • 4: A NETWORK THAT OPENS UP OPPORTUNITIES —meetings, networking, and a national community of entrepreneurs committed to taking things further.
  • 5: AN AFFORDABLE PROGRAM – support funded by our partners, with no out-of-pocket costs for selected entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurs Share Their Stories

The challenge when you come from the suburbs is that you don’t have everything you need—not to succeed, but to express yourself. Starting a business also means taking the initiative for yourself. When we start a business, it allows us to find our place in the world, too. That’s the reality of the program: giving everyone the opportunity to write their own story, to take the initiative, and to become whoever they want to be.

Imane

Entrepreneurs dans la Ville
Above all, this program is a space for mutual support and the promotion of diversity. Being part of a cohort provides access to a high-quality network that strengthens my company’s credibility within a national ecosystem.

Idrissa

Entrepreneurs dans la Ville
Entrepreneurs dans la Ville For me, this is the opportunity of a lifetime! Discovering a new “family”: men and women who are just as passionate as I am and who are taking a chance on developing a project they believe in! Being supported and mentored by a team of experts for two years, with the chance to take four months of classes at emlyon Business School… wow! So go for it!

Navy

Entrepreneurs dans la Ville

Partners Share Their Stories

By entrusting the rollout of the BPI France Accelerator to Sport dans la Ville, we are committed to offering world-class solutions to entrepreneurs so they can reach their full potential and contribute to the development of their regions.

Marie-Adeline Peix, Executive Director of BPI France

Entrepreneurs dans la Ville
Beyond financial support, it is important to support entrepreneurs through expertise and mentoring. This helps build relationships with young entrepreneurs and shows them that they are not alone in this journey.

Vanessa Holtz, Bank of America

Entrepreneurs dans la Ville
Because the young people at Entrepreneurs dans la Ville haven’t followed the traditional path, they have a different perspective on entrepreneurship. They are the ones who will transform France!

Xavier Niel, Founder of Iliad

Entrepreneurs dans la Ville

A program supported by BPIFRANCE as part of the “Entrepreneurship in Neighborhoods 2030” initiative and with the support of emlyon business school

Educational partner of the program: emlyon Business School

PROGRAM PARTNERS

CRÉDIT AGRICOLE SUD-RHÔNE-ALPES
DELVILLE MANAGEMENT
EDENRED
BANK OF AMERICA
DIFT
CLUB MEDITERRANEE
DIFT
DELVILLE MANAGEMENT
SFR
SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC FOUNDATION
CRÉDIT AGRICOLE SOLIDARITY AND DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
ADEVINTA
CLUB MEDITERRANEE
CRÉDIT AGRICOLE SUD-RHÔNE-ALPES
ALLIANZ TRADE
M33 FOUNDATION
QIAGEN
CEGID FUND
APICIL
BIOGEN
CVC FOUNDATION
SFR
SNCF FOUNDATION
ROQUETTE BROTHERS
SOLIDARITES BY CRÉDIT AGRICOLE CENTRE EST
BPI FRANCE
CRÉDIT AGRICOLE SOLIDARITY AND DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
CRÉDIT AGRICOLE LOIRE AND HAUTE LOIRE
SNCF FOUNDATION
SOLIDARITES BY CRÉDIT AGRICOLE CENTRE EST
EDENRED
LÉON GROSSE FOUNDATION
CAAP INNOV’ECO
ADEVINTA
SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC FOUNDATION
BANCEL PHILANTHROPY
AXTOM FOUNDATION FOR ENTREPRENEURS AND REGIONS
APICIL
BIOGEN
QIAGEN
DEWAVRIN COSMETICS FOUNDATION
BANCEL PHILANTHROPY
DEWAVRIN COSMETICS FOUNDATION
CVC FOUNDATION
ROQUETTE BROTHERS
M33 FOUNDATION
LÉON GROSSE FOUNDATION
SICAME FUNDS
CRÉDIT AGRICOLE LOIRE AND HAUTE LOIRE
BANK OF AMERICA
BPI FRANCE
CEGID FUND
CAAP INNOV’ECO
AXTOM FOUNDATION FOR ENTREPRENEURS AND REGIONS
ALLIANZ TRADE
SICAME FUNDS

the program's Sustainable Development Goals

Quality Education

Ensure that everyone has access to quality education under equitable conditions and promote opportunities for lifelong learning.

Reduced Inequalities

Reduce inequalities between and within countries.

our other side dishes

Discover the other support services offered by theorganization.

Playing sports

Sport dans la Ville ’s sports sessions are spaces where our teams of educators promote and instill the values, interpersonal, emotional, and behavioral skills that are essential to the personal and professional growth of the young people at theorganization.

Explore: Playing Sports

Finding your way

The " Job dans la Ville " program aims to promote equal opportunities for all young people by supporting them in their career planning and helping them gain professional experience in the workplace.

Discover: Finding Your Path

Women's Success

The “ L dans la Ville ” program aims to make every ambition possible for girls in order to help them thrive, from sports to careers.

Discover: Women's Success

Working Abroad

The “Young Talents” program gives young people ages 18–25 access to an “English Academy,” as well as study abroad programs and professional opportunities abroad.

Explore: Working Abroad

Making Progress in School

The mission of the “Success in the City” program is to support young people throughout their educational journey.

Explore: Making Progress in School

take part in trips

Because going on vacation or traveling abroad helps people open themselves up to the world in a positive way, and because vacations are essential opportunities for personal growth, Sport dans la Ville has organized trips in France and abroad.

Discover: Take part in trips

See the most frequently asked questions

What are the requirements for joining the " Entrepreneurs dans la Ville " program?

The terms and conditions vary depending on the specific program. For details, please refer to the relevant program, which is available on this page.

Why partner with Entrepreneurs dans la Ville to start or grow your business?

Entrepreneurs dans la Ville offers personalized, fully funded support to help project leaders and entrepreneurs navigate every stage of their growth. Depending on your situation, you’ll have access to hands-on workshops, one-on-one meetings, mentoring, expert guidance, and connections to a national network of entrepreneurs. You can also access coworking spaces free of charge to work, network, and grow your business.

What is the difference between incubation and acceleration?

The Incubation program is designed for entrepreneurs who have just started their business or who want to consolidate a business that is still in its early stages. Over the course of 12 months, they focus on refining their product or service offering, business model, sales strategy, organizational structure, and revenue growth.
The Acceleration program is designed for more mature companies that have already validated their business model and reached an initial stage of development. Over the course of 12 months, the goal is to take the business to the next level: structuring growth, strengthening strategy, developing new markets, and preparing for scaling up.

What types of support does Entrepreneurs dans la Ville offer?

Entrepreneurs dans la Ville supports entrepreneurs through three complementary programs, followed by an alumni community:

The Starter – 6 months
To turn an idea into a structured business venture, test your business model, and prepare to launch your business.

Incubation – 12 months
To launch, consolidate, and grow a newly created business. Depending on the entrepreneur’s level of experience and needs, support may be focused on business startup or on business startup and growth.

The Acceleration Program – 12 months
For more established companies looking to structure their growth, increase revenue, and scale up.


Alumni Community After completing the program, entrepreneurs continue to benefit from a national network, events, resources, and opportunities to further their growth.