EUR 45,000 Plus Living Stipend for Underrepresented Founders: Your Guide to French Tech Tremplin

Frances tech ecosystem has a diversity problem, and the government knows it. While Paris has become Europes most valuable startup hub, the founders raising money and building companies look remarkably similar to each other. French Tech Tremplin exists to change that equation.

This program hands EUR 45,000 in grant funding plus a monthly living stipend to founders from underrepresented backgrounds. Were talking about people from disadvantaged neighborhoods, refugees, individuals with disabilities, founders without higher education credentials, and others who face real barriers to entering the startup world. The goal is to give talented people the runway to actually build their ideas instead of watching from the sidelines.

But this isnt just a check. Tremplin wraps the funding in intensive mentorship from seasoned scale-up executives, bootcamp programming to build fundamental skills, and connections throughout the French tech ecosystem. Participants get a genuine shot at becoming founders, not a token gesture.

The May 12, 2025 deadline is approaching. If you have a startup idea, live in France, and have faced barriers that make entrepreneurship feel out of reach, this program might be exactly what you need.

Key Details at a Glance

What This Opportunity Offers

The EUR 45,000 grant covers your startup development expenses during the program year. You can use these funds for product development, market research, legal costs, initial marketing, equipment, and other business expenses. The money flows directly to support building your company.

The monthly living stipend deserves separate attention because its actually crucial. Building a startup typically requires full-time focus, which is impossible if youre working a day job to pay rent. The stipend covers basic living expenses so you can commit fully to the program without worrying about immediate survival. This design choice reflects understanding that financial precarity is itself a barrier to entrepreneurship.

Mentorship pairing puts you in direct contact with executives who have built and scaled successful companies. These arent casual coffee chats. Mentors commit to regular sessions, working through your specific challenges and decisions. They open their networks, make introductions, and provide the guidance that privileged founders often get through family and social connections.

Bootcamp programming covers the skills you need that traditional education often doesnt teach: product development methodology, financial modeling, fundraising strategy, legal structures, marketing fundamentals, and pitch development. Sessions are designed for people who may not have business school backgrounds.

Regional French Tech hub integration connects you to your local startup community. France has French Tech hubs in major cities beyond Paris - Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Nantes, Lille, and others. Wherever you are in France, the program connects you to relevant local resources and networks.

Demo day and investor introductions happen at program end, giving you structured opportunities to present your startup to investors and potentially raise follow-on funding.

Who Should Apply

Tremplin exists for founders who have something genuine to offer but face barriers that make the startup path harder.

Residents of priority neighborhoods (QPV) are a core target group. If you grew up in or currently live in one of Frances designated disadvantaged urban areas, you face documented barriers to entrepreneurship: less access to networks, fewer role models who look like you, reduced access to capital.

Refugees and asylum seekers with legal residency can apply. If youve rebuilt your life in France and have entrepreneurial ideas, Tremplin provides a pathway into the ecosystem.

Individuals with disabilities face obvious barriers to traditional employment and often find entrepreneurship even more challenging due to accessibility issues, discrimination, and reduced networks. The program works to make participation accessible.

Founders without higher education credentials often get filtered out of opportunities that require degrees. Tremplin explicitly welcomes talented people who chose different paths than university.

Career changers over 40 and others re-entering the workforce after caregiving, health issues, or other interruptions often find the startup world unwelcoming. Age and resume gaps create barriers that Tremplin addresses.

First-generation entrepreneurs without family connections to business or professional networks face a steep learning curve. Having parents who worked jobs rather than owning businesses means you likely didnt absorb entrepreneurial norms growing up.

To be eligible, you must be a French resident facing documented socio-economic barriers. Your startup idea must demonstrate genuine innovation and potential for national impact - though you dont need to have built anything yet. You must commit to mandatory participation in coaching bootcamps and mentorship activities.

Insider Tips for a Winning Application

Lead with your story, but make it about the future. Reviewers want to understand the barriers youve faced, but they also need to see that youre focused forward. Frame your challenges as context for why you need this program, then quickly pivot to what youre going to build and why it matters.

Be specific about your socio-economic barriers. Vague claims about hardship dont convince. Name the specific neighborhoods youve lived in, the specific circumstances you faced, the concrete ways opportunity was limited. Reviewers need to see that you genuinely fit the programs target population.

Show that youve already started. Even without resources, what have you done to advance your startup idea? Customer interviews conducted, research completed, rough prototypes sketched, advisors consulted - any evidence that youre taking initiative demonstrates founder drive.

Connect your idea to national impact. Tremplin wants startups that could matter for France. Explain how your solution addresses problems facing French society, whether thats healthcare access, sustainability, education, economic development, or other national priorities.

Demonstrate coachability. The program involves intensive mentorship and bootcamp participation. Reviewers want founders who will actively engage, not resist guidance. Share examples of times youve learned from feedback and changed your approach.

Engage with your local French Tech hub. Each region has a French Tech hub, and connecting with them before applying strengthens your candidacy. They can provide guidance on the application, and their endorsement carries weight.

Address the full-time commitment question. Can you actually participate full-time for a year? If you have obligations that might interfere, address them directly. Maybe youve arranged childcare, or your current employer supports a leave of absence, or youve saved enough to supplement the stipend.

Application Timeline

Working backward from the May 12, 2025 deadline, heres how to prepare.

Now through February 2025: Research the program thoroughly. Watch videos from past cohorts, read interviews with alumni, understand what success looks like. Start refining your startup idea and documenting the barriers youve faced.

February - March 2025: Connect with your regional French Tech hub. Attend their events, introduce yourself, ask questions about Tremplin. Build relationships within the local ecosystem.

March 15 - April 15, 2025: Write your first complete application draft. Cover all sections including your personal story, the barriers youve faced, your startup concept, and your vision for the year.

April 15 - May 1, 2025: Get feedback from mentors, the French Tech hub, and anyone wholl read your draft critically. Revise based on their input.

May 1 - 12, 2025: Final polishing and submission. Submit several days before the deadline.

Required Materials

Personal statement: Your story, the barriers youve faced, and why you deserve this opportunity. This needs to be compelling and specific.

Startup concept presentation: Description of your idea, the problem it solves, your target market, and your vision for building it.

Evidence of barriers: Documentation supporting your eligibility claims - address history, refugee status papers, disability documentation, or other relevant proof.

Commitment statement: Confirmation that you can participate full-time for the program duration.

References: Contacts who can speak to your character, drive, and potential.

What Makes an Application Stand Out

Clarity of barriers faced (30%): Reviewers need to confirm you genuinely fit the target population. Vague or unsubstantiated claims weaken applications.

Strength of startup concept (25%): Your idea should be innovative, addressing a real problem with a viable solution. You dont need to have built anything, but your thinking should be clear and compelling.

Founder potential (25%): Does this person have the drive, resilience, and capability to actually build a startup? Evidence of initiative, learning ability, and grit all contribute.

Fit with program design (20%): Will this person benefit from mentorship, engage with bootcamps, and make good use of the resources offered?

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Underplaying your barriers: Some applicants feel uncomfortable highlighting their challenges. But this program exists specifically for people facing real barriers - you need to clearly document your eligibility.

Vague startup ideas: “I want to build an app that helps people” isnt a startup concept. Be specific about the problem, the solution, and why youre the right person to build it.

Overcomplicating the innovation: Your first startup doesnt need to cure cancer. Simple ideas that solve real problems can be incredibly valuable. Dont inflate your concept beyond what you can actually execute.

Ignoring the time commitment: Twelve months of full-time engagement is a major commitment. Applications that seem unclear about this signal risk.

Missing the regional connection: Each region has a French Tech hub. Engaging with yours before applying demonstrates seriousness and gives you valuable guidance.

Applying without preparation: This is a competitive program. Applications that feel rushed or generic wont stand out. Give yourself proper time to prepare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be French? No, but you must be a legal resident of France with the right to work. This includes refugees with appropriate status.

Do I need a business already? No. Tremplin is a pre-incubation program. You can apply with just an idea, though some progress beyond pure concept strengthens your application.

What if I dont live in Paris? The program operates nationwide through regional French Tech hubs. You can participate from Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, or any other French city.

Can I work part-time during the program? The expectation is full-time commitment. The stipend is designed to make this possible. If you have circumstances requiring exceptions, discuss with the program.

What happens after the 12 months? You should have a launched startup, ideally with initial traction and potentially follow-on funding raised. Alumni continue to access the French Tech network.

How many people are accepted? Cohort sizes vary, but selection is competitive. Several hundred applicants typically compete for 100-150 spots.

Is the EUR 45,000 taxable? Program details on tax treatment vary. Consult with French tax authorities or an accountant for your specific situation.

How to Apply

Ready to launch your startup journey? Heres your action plan.

First, research the program thoroughly at the official French Tech website. Understand eligibility requirements, program expectations, and what success looks like for participants.

Second, connect with your regional French Tech hub. They can provide guidance, answer questions, and help strengthen your application.

Third, gather documentation supporting your eligibility - evidence of the socio-economic barriers youve faced.

Fourth, develop your startup concept clearly. Even without building anything, you should have a crisp explanation of the problem, solution, and opportunity.

Fifth, write your application, get feedback, and submit before the May 12, 2025 deadline.

For complete program information and the application portal, visit: https://lafrenchtech.gouv.fr/fr/programme/french-tech-tremplin/

Questions about eligibility or the application process? Regional French Tech hubs are your best resource for personalized guidance.